Actions resume today in the Glo Premier League as Match Day 34 games are to be played across different stadia in the country. The matches previously scheduled for Sunday, October 18 had to be shifted to Wednesday, October 21 in deference to the CAF Championship for African Nations (CHAN) qualifying tie between Nigeria and Burkina Faso.
Nigeria won that game 2-0.
SoccerNet Nigeria takes a look at the top teams set to battle each other with just five league games left to play this season.
Nasarawa United v Enyimba
It’s a battle of the high-flyers in Lafia as the league leaders chase title-winning points to the doorsteps of Nasarawa United. The hosts however have a continental ticket in sight and will do the maximum to condemn the Aba Elephants to only their 7th league loss of the season.
Enyimba were 2-1 better than Shooting Stars last week but Nasarawa United took the shine off them by traveling to Yenagoa to humiliate Bayelsa United with the same scoreline.
This match promises to be a cracker.
El-Kanemi v Giwa FC
Whichever way you look at it, Giwa FC have had a great season and with just five league matches to go, they are still in the title race with only two points separating them from second placed Warri Wolves.
A trip to El-Kanemi however is always tricky for any side with the home team looking for the three points that will push them higher than their current 13th position.
Wikki Tourists v Ifeanyi Ubah
12 losses in 32 and conceding just one less than they have scored meant that Ifeanyi Ubah’s season has not panned out the way they would have loved.
It could get even worse this midweek as they travel to Bauchi to face a Wikki side that’s searching for the maximum points to keep the pressure on league leaders Enyimba.
Heartland v Sharks
In Owerri, Heartland will aim to get the better of Sharks who are on a decent run that has seen them put a sizeable distance between themselves and fellow relegation strugglers, Dolphins.
A win for Sharks will almost certainly ensure their continued stay in the top flight after a terrible campaign that has seen them only record 9 wins in 33 matches.
Shooting Stars v FC Taraba
The mid-table Ibadan warlords have already guaranteed their Premier League status and will look to compound the woes of the visitors from Jalingo. FC Taraba’s fate appeared sealed with each passing week and a defeat at 3SC will, bar any miracle, condemn them to the lower leagues.
Kwara United v Bayelsa Utd
It’s a battle of the relegation candidates as Bayelsa United travel to Ilorin, the Kwara State capital to seek for only their 7th league win of a dreadful campaign.
Kwara United have not fared much better than their guests as no other club has lost more games than the Afonja Warriors but should be able to find enough in the arsenal to down the Yenagoa-based side who are first from the rear.
Abia Warriors v Lobi Stars
Ninth-placed Abia Warriors play host to 14th-placed Makurdi giants in one of the Glo NPFL games scheduled for today, Wednesday.
After their morale-boosting 2-1 win over Kwara United, Lobi Stars would be confident of taking at least a point away from Umuahia.
Warri Wolves v Akwa United
Wolves are one of the only two sides (the other being Wikki) capable of overtaking Enyimba at the summit of the Glo Premier League and this encounter against 15th-placed Akwa United is one they are expected to win.
Warri Wolves (the club of Super Eagles star Gbolahan Salami) are second on the log and boast the league’s best attack and it would be interesting to see how long Akwa United can keep them from scoring.
Dolphins v Kano Pillars
Pillars are no longer in the race to defend the crown they won so majestically last year however pride and a continental ticket are at stake and what the Kano giants can still fight for.
Today in Port Harcourt, they face one of the lamest Dolphins side in recent memory. Dolphins FC, the second of the Port Harcourt teams, struggling to maintain their Premier League status can give themselves a chance at making the great escape with a defeat of the defending champions.
El-Kanemi v Giwa FC
Wikki v FC Ifeanyiubah
Heartland v Sharks
Shooting Stars v FC Taraba
Nasarawa Utd v Enyimba
Kwara Utd v Bayelsa Utd
Abia Warriors v Lobi Stars
Wolves v Akwa Utd
Dolphins v Kano Pillars
