Inter Lagos vs Abia Warriors: Preview as Onikan hosts a basement clash

Inter Lagos, bottom of the NPFL with one win in 12 games, host 19th-placed Abia Warriors at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Sunday in a meeting of the league's two lowest sides, with neither club having won in more than a month.

Inter Lagos have seven points and are still waiting for a first home win of the season: three draws and three defeats at Onikan so far. Their only victory came on the road, 1-0 at Enyimba on 20 September, and they are eight league games without a win since.

Abia Warriors are four points better off on 11, but arrive after six straight league games without a win and a public apology to their supporters, as we reported after their draw with Doma United.

Match facts

Form guide

Inter Lagos (last five, most recent last): L L L D D. Defeats by Warri Wolves, Nasarawa United and Kun Khalifat, then a 1-1 home draw with Ranchers Bees and a 2-2 draw at Ikorodu City, a game also played at Onikan.

Abia Warriors (last five, most recent last): D D L L D. Draws with Rivers United and Kwara United, defeats by Niger Tornadoes and a 4-1 loss at Shooting Stars, then a 2-2 home draw with Doma United.

The two sides have conceded 19 league goals each, the joint-worst defensive record in the division. Inter Lagos have scored only eight, level with Warri Wolves for the fewest in the league.

Key battles

Inter's attack v Abia's back line

Eight goals in 12 games means Inter Lagos rarely score more than once, yet they found two at Ikorodu City last weekend. Against an Abia side that has let in four goals twice this season, that is the first sign of life their supporters have seen in weeks.

Nigerian connection: Amapakabo's response at a familiar ground

Imama Amapakabo's Abia already know the way to a win at Onikan. Their only away victory of the season came at this ground, 2-0 against Sporting Lagos on 20 September, and the club's apology has put the onus on the coach's side to show a reaction here.

Analysis: A draw helps neither side, so someone may have to go for it

For Inter Lagos, a fourth home draw would stop the bleeding but keep them adrift at the bottom. For Abia, a point on the road is normally a decent return, yet after an apology that called their position unacceptable, a draw at the bottom side would feel like another week lost.

That tension could open the game up. Both defences have shipped goals all season, and if either side commits men forward in search of a win, the other has shown it can score on the break. If the first half stays tight, though, the pattern of both clubs' seasons points to nerves taking over and a share of the points.

Inter Lagos's draw at Ikorodu City, after our preview of that game, at least showed they can score at this ground. The rest of the round is in our Matchday 13 fixtures guide.

Verdict

Neither side has the defensive record to protect a lead with confidence, and neither has won in over a month, so a draw that leaves both still looking over their shoulder is the likeliest outcome.