The 2021 season of the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL21, enters week 14 this Sunday with some tasty and mouth-watering matches for fans.
There are nine (9) matches spread across the country but Football411 take a quick look at three (3) of them that truly standout.
- Kano Pillars vs Rangers International
It is the 30th meeting between these two NPFL giants in what is easily the match of the game week in the ancient city of Kano.
It’s a fight between two of the current top four teams as fourth placed Pillars host the Flying Antelopes who sit just above them in third.
The interesting thing about this game is that both teams currently sit on 23 points having won (7), drawn (2), and lost (4) the same number of games so far this season.
Ahead of today’s match, however, Pillars will be looking to bounce back from that disappointment in Uyo the last time, while their visitors would hope to consolidate on their derby win.
But while Rangers are ahead in terms of their head to head meetings, the home of Sai Masu Gida hasn’t been a very good hunting ground for the Antelopes.
The Antelopes have lost 11 of 13 matches, picking just two points in Kano, where their hosts are also yet to drop a point this season.
They are however unbeaten in their last three outings, one win, two draws, but all the matches were played at the Cathedral.
Prediction: Pillars 2-0 Rangers
- Heartland vs Abia Warriors
It’s another oriental derby in the East as Heartland FC welcome their neighbors from Umuahia, Abia Warriors.
There is so much at stake in this particular derby, both sides need the points to continue their battle for survival but they are two of the most in form teams at the moment in the NPFL21.
The hosts had their mini unbeaten run snapped last time in Enugu, while Warriors arrive Owerri unbeaten in their last four.
It’s their 11th meeting, the visitors with the upper hand here after six (6) wins compared to Heartland’s one (1) with three (3) draws in the previous 10 games.
However, the last meeting between the two in Okigwe ended in a 1-0 win for the home side but Imama Amapakabo’s Warriors are one team that knows how to take points at the Okigwe stadium, where they also play some of their home matches.
Both need the points to boost their fight against relegation, and with one point separating them on the log, this is one game that has the potential to produce maximum entertainment for NPFL21 followers.
Prediction: Heartland 1-2 Warriors
- Nasarawa United vs Lobi Stars
This game in Lafia is another one that must be followed keenly with just a point between United (6th on the log) and 9th placed Lobi Stars.
After a very good start to the campaign by these two, they both seem to have fallen by the wayside. But today’s match presents an opportunity for either of them to get back to form.
Nasarawa United look to return to winning ways following the setback against MFM FC in Lagos on match day 13, for Stars, they come into this one full of confidence after that 2-1 win at home to Katsina United.
Nevertheless, if their head to head tells a story, it is that the hosts of this particular fixture rarely drop points – Lobi Stars have managed just four points from a possible 33 in Lafia.
Prediction: Nasarawa 2-1 Lobi Stars