NPFL: Rivers host Rangers as three clubs sit level on 17 points

Rivers United, Enugu Rangers and Nasarawa United are all on 17 points at the top of the NPFL, and Rivers host Rangers on Sunday 1 November in the pick of the Matchday 11 fixtures.

In the Nigerian Matchday table, Rivers United lead on goal difference of +10 from 10 games. Enugu Rangers are second on +5 with two games fewer played, eight, and Nasarawa United are third on +3 after 10. Plateau United and Barau FC follow on 15 points each, level with Bendel Insurance, Sporting Lagos, Kano Pillars and Niger Tornadoes.

Rivers lost 2-1 at Bendel Insurance on Sunday 25 October, as Soccernet covered in its NPFL results roundup. Nasarawa United moved up with a 1-0 win over Enyimba, while Niger Tornadoes won 1-0 at Abia Warriors and Kun Khalifat beat Inter Lagos 1-0. Warri Wolves and Kano Pillars drew 0-0, Ikorodu City and Shooting Stars drew 2-2, Barau FC and Kwara United drew 1-1, and Katsina United and Plateau United drew 2-2.

Soccernet previewed that game in Bendel Insurance host Rivers United.

Matchday 11 fixtures to watch

Niger Tornadoes host Barau FC on Friday 30 October, listed for 15:00 WAT, and Doma United meet Ikorodu City on Saturday. Most of the round is listed for Sunday 1 November at 16:00 WAT:

• Rivers United vs Enugu Rangers
• Kano Pillars vs Nasarawa United
• Kwara United vs Bendel Insurance
• Katsina United vs Sporting Lagos
• Plateau United vs Warri Wolves
• Shooting Stars vs Abia Warriors
• Enyimba vs Kun Khalifat
• Inter Lagos vs Ranchers Bees

Analysis: Rangers have the games in hand, Rivers have the goals

The table is tighter than the standings suggest. Rangers have 17 points from eight games, so a win in either of their games in hand would put them ahead of Rivers, which gives Sunday's meeting extra weight for both sides. A Rivers win would put them three points clear of Rangers, though Rangers would still have those games to play, while a Rangers win would give them three points over Rivers and the head-to-head edge.

Behind them, the bunching is the real story: six clubs are on 15 points, and Kano Pillars' trip to Nasarawa United on the same day could decide whether Nasarawa stay in the top three.