Second Place Shooting Stars and Rivers United will be aiming for victories in their respective Nigeria Premier League matches this Sunday following the nine-point gap that Remo Stars have created on the league’s log.

Neither of the two title aspirants can afford to drop points. Shooting Stars, with one match still outstanding will be aiming to win against relegation-threatened Plateau United who are playing at home and are placed just two points above the topmost relegation-bound team.

Shooting Stars have an unprecedented five-win streak and could extend that to six this Sunday. Plateau United on the other hand have been experiencing fluctuating form. They won just a match in the last five outings. It was a slim 1-0 over Katsina United.

Overall this season, Plateau United have won seven, lost twice and drawn once at home. 

Rivers United, third-placed, and also playing away, will be aiming to end their winless streak in four matches. They are facing a rejuvenated Heartland team.

This Sunday’s clash has a special flavour. It is an encounter involving coaches who belong to the famous Super Eagles Golden Generation of 1994. Both were scorers at the USA ’94 World Cup.

Heartland’s fortunes have taken a positive shape since Emmanuel Amuneke took over. Under him, the Owerri side has navigated itself out of relegation waters and coasted upward into more comfortable land.

Finidi George, the former national coach has not found comfort since moving to home to join the Port Harcourt team. A win today will narrow the gap with Remo Stars. But a loss will see Rivers flowing further away from the league title.

In another encounter, bottom-placed Nasarawa United will be facing Niger Tornadoes in a game the former have to win for survival. Niger Tornadoes are in a comfort zone, placing seventh on the log.

Abia Warriors in eighth position will host troubled Akwa United who are struggling to avoid the drop this season. Akwa United are second to the last in a log of 20.

Kano Pillars who slumped badly to Ikorodu City last week Wednesday will be hoping to regain their esteem as thy host Bayelsa United. Both teams are placed 10th and 11th respectively.

Sunday’s Fixtures

• Plateau United v Shooting Stars
• Heartland v Rivers United
• Nasarawa United v Niger Tornadoes
• Abia Warriors v Akwa United
• Kano Pillars v Bayelsa United

Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

The stage is set for another star clash with the derby duel of Sunshine Stars and Remo Stars. For the latter, it is both an away and yet a home game.

The match holds at the Remo Stars Stadium where the intending run-away league leaders have not dropped any point this season since their goalless draw with Rivers United.

Sunshine Stars are currently without a home ground having been playing their home games in Ijebu-Ode before their recent relocation to Ikenne.

For Remo Stars, they have a lot at stake.

The primary one is to break loose at the top of the league table and extend the gap with their nearest challengers.  

A win will earn them perfect scores of five victories in a row, a record they will share with their next-door neighbours and rivals, Shooting Stars.  

It could be obvious that Remo Stars will be going for attacking football with the latest addition to their armoury, Samson Olasupo who joins from Radnicki Sr. Mitrovica in Serbia.

Ahead of other match day 22 games, Remo Stars could extend their lead by obtaining 45 points setting nearly a 10-point gap with their nearest challengers, Shooting Stars.

But it may not be that easy for Remo Stars as stiff opposition is expected from Sunshine Stars who are within a shouting distance from relegation waters.

A drop of points could compound their woes. The match kick-off at 5.30 pm and will be played mostly under floodlights.

Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Remo Stars have been given a helping hand as other league contenders, Enyimba and Rivers United dropped points in their respective matches on Thursday.

Both teams battled for score draws at home leaving the Ikenne side with a massive seven-point gap at the summit.

The results mean that Remo Stars stay atop comfortably with 42 points followed by Shooting Stars of Ibadan with 36 points but with a game in hand while Rivers United followed at 35 points.

In Aba, former champions, Enyimba had to come from behind to get a 1-1 scoreline against Emmanuel Amuneke tutored by Heartland FC.

Heartland which started the league badly have peaked and moving steadily up the ladder.

In Port Harcourt, Rivers United failed to win their third consecutive match after a 2-2 draw against Bendel Insurance of Benin.

The visitors were in front in the 6^th minute with a close-range shot from Meyiwa Oritseweyinmi but John Ubong Friday put a smile on the faces of the home fans with the equaliser in the 35^th minute of the half.

On resumption, Uche Collins puts the Insurance side in front again but Handsome Surveyor even the score line again two minutes later.

In Katsina, the home side, Katsina United defeated Plateau United 2-1. With the match looking like another draw, the home side won via a penalty kick in the added time for the win.

While in Minna, Niger Tornadoes defeated Kwara United 2-1. Ifeanyi Okechukwu put the home side in the lead in the first minute and the game dragged till the end when Abdulrasheed doubled the lead in the 86^th minute before Junior Aimufua scored a consolatory goal in the 90^th minute.

RESULTS

• Rivers Utd 2-2 Bendel Insurance
• Enyimba 1-1 Heartland
• Katsina Utd 2-1 Plateau Utd
• Niger Tornadoes 2-1 Kwara Utd

Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H