The 2014/15 Glo Premier League season will hit the halfway line this weekend with games in all the centres. Sam Nnaji takes a look at the various battle zones and says ‘don’t place a bet on any team for the trophy or for relegation.’
This season’s Glo Premier League campaign gets to the halfway mark with games of Match Day 19 this Sunday but a glance at the log just shows how tight the battle at the top is. By the end of the Match Day 18 fixtures which held midweek, Enyimba and Wikki Tourists drew level with league leaders Sunshine Stars on points. Fans are aware of the competitive nature of the league but who would have predicted that at this stage, the top three clubs are only separated by goal differences?[post_ad]
Sunshine Stars have maintained their early season form, handing the humble pie to all those who doubted their ability to go the distance, ten wins in 18 and 28 goals scored in the process. No other team have been as impressive. They lost in midweek but they hold a psychological edge as that result did not affect their place at the top.
Wikki Tourists have glided almost unnoticed into the top three and despite falling behind early to Kano Pillars on Wednesday, they were able to salvage a draw at the Sani Abacha Stadium. Giwa FC follows shortly behind the Tourists, two points off the top three and are yet another side looking very good for a continental place. Heartland, FC Ifeanyiubah and Rangers are all placed ahead of Kano Pillars who have not been quite as dominant as we have known in recent seasons. Well, this is only the first half, a lot can change between now and the end of the season.
For the weekend’s upcoming fixtures, it is first against the bottom, Sunshine Stars versus FC Taraba in Akure, and you will have your money on the Akure club avenging their midweek thrashing on the visitors who have a whopping 20 points less than they do. Enyimba face a resurgent Rangers side, who have won five out of their last seven league games. It is an Oriental Derby and should the Peoples Elephant come out victorious, they are unlikely to score enough to go top of the log. Wikki travel to Heartland, yet another improving side with the league current top scorer this season Bright Ejike in their ranks. Can Abdu Makaiba negotiate yet another point on the road?
Fifteenth placed Lobi Stars will welcome defending champions Kano Pillars to Makurdi. The Sai Masu Gida have not performed well this term away from home and against a Lobi Stars side that have struggled this season, perhaps there is an away point for Okey Emordi’s men in this tie. For Dolphins they travel to Lafia to face Nasarawa United and buoyed by a first win after 11 games, a second consecutive win can push them off the relegation waters if surrounding teams fail to do better.
Shooting Stars will battle El-Kanemi Warriors in Ibadan and following their midweek loss, fans will take consolation from the ongoing Gbenga Ogunbote revival and hope for an improved performance. Warri Wolves will face 17th placed Sharks. Wolves appear out of the picture in the title race right now but should they play their outstanding games, they will leapfrog in the thick of things. A win in Warri will help further that cause.
FC Ifeanyiubah will play Abia Warriors at the latter’s adopted home, Aba for the second Oriental Derby of the match day. Their early season home invincibility appears all but forgotten now, however they remain a threat away from home, just ask El-Kanemi Warriors. Kwara United will have no time to reminisce on their midweek away victory as Giwa FC comes to town. The Harmony Warriors have been talking about a continental ticket, based on current form however you would rather bank on the visitors from Jos to get the much desired ticket.