As the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season deepens into its concluding phase, the Oriental Derby between first and second-placed Enugu Rangers and Enyimba FC is set to take centre stage in what’s likely to be the title decider.
The stakes have never been higher for both teams this season, as two points separate the NPFL giants atop the log after 34 Matchdays. Fidelis Ilechukwu-led Rangers with 61 points welcome Defending Champions Enyimba—who have so far garnered 59 points—to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Stadium in Enugu on Sunday, by 5 pm (WAT).
With 16 NPFL titles between the two sides, the People’s Elephants of Aba head into the fixture the more confident side, having defeated the Flying Antelopes five times in their last seven meetings.
Rangers were leading the log with four points before last weekend, but their trip to the Onikan Stadium ended in a goalless draw against relegation-threatened Sporting Lagos, blowing wide their chances of securing their eighth NPFL title.
A loss to Enyimba disposes them off the number one spot, but while they might have that under control, third-placed Remo Stars—who are level on points with Enyimba (59)—could also go top of the league after Matchday 35, should they defeat Lobi Stars in Benue, and get a favourable result in Enugu.
NPFL ’24 relegation survival ahead of Matchday 35
Might look implausible, but mathematically, only the current first four ranked teams on the NPFL log—Rangers, Enyimba, Remo, and Shooting Stars—are safe from the drop zone.
However, since Gombe United invariably relegated last weekend following a 2-0 loss to Sunshine Stars, the real survival ties will be between Bayelsa United and Sporting Lagos at Samson Siasia Sports Stadium in Yenagoa, Sunshine Stars and Akwa United in Akure, and Heartland vs Doma United in Owerri.
Currently ranked 14th-19th, all six teams will be looking to increase their chances of survival at their different match centres on Sunday. But before then, there are three NPFL Matchday 35 fixtures slated to kick off from 3 pm on Saturday, June 8 (today).
Check the full details of NPFL Matchday 35 fixtures below:
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