Nigeria preview for week 18...source SS

This weekend one game –
Heartland versus Enugu
Rangers – has been called
off at the instance of
Heartland, which have 14
players called up to the
senior national team, the
under20s and the under23s.
So, nine games will be played
on Saturday and Sunday
while one Monday match
holds in Bauchi.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Gombe United v Kwara United
The Desert Scorpions go into
this game with a win in their
last five games in which they
have picked just two points.
Bernard Ogbe ’s men will want
to start winning again and
against Kwara United with a
poor away record this term,
Gombe should just nick this
one like they did last season
in this same game. Prediction:
1 – 0
Sharks v Crown FC
Crown Football Club have
shipped in 10 goals in eight
games on the road and they
head to Sharks, who have
dropped just two points in
Port Harcourt. It is difficult to
see how Crown will escape
from Port Harcourt in their
first topflight tie against
Sharks. Even with the
absence of a few key
players, the Blue Angels
should run over the Ajilete
Valiant. Prediction: 2 – 0
Niger Tornadoes v Kaduna
United
The last time Kaduna United
won in this game it was on
September 20, 2008 when
they got a 2 – 1 win in Minna.
But three other visits dating
back to 2006 have all ended
in losses including last
season ’s 0 – 3 bashing.
Maurice Cooreman’s men will
fancy their chances for this
northern derby but
Tornadoes should just edge
it with the odd goal.
Prediction: 1 – 0
Kano Pillars v Warri Wolves
This is one of the big
clashes of the season. But
Kano Pillars are struggling to
score goals following a 0 – 0
draw with Niger Tornadoes
and a 0 – 3 loss to Sunshine
Stars. Now they face Warri
Wolves, which have an
unbeaten streak of six
games. Last season, Wolves
lost this game four-nil and
have struggled on their
visits to Kano since 2004.
Ladan Bosso needs to start
winning fast or he will be
faced with criticism from the
Kano fans. Prediction: 2 – 1
Sunday, February 27, 2011
3SC v Dolphins
The leaders, Dolphins, go
into this game with the
meanest defence line having
conceded just six in 16
games. It will be interesting
to see how Shooting Stars
Sports Club (3SC) break that
backline in Abeokuta on
Sunday. Last season in this
same fixture, Dolphins got a
point and it is expected that
the Port Harcourt team will sit
back and aim to hit 3SC on
the offensive but this game
should end goalless.
Prediction: 0 – 0
Plateau United v Juth FC
This is one of the four city
derbies in the topflight this
season. The first and second
from bottom go up against
each other in this Jos derby.
Both clubs have poor form
guides from their last five
games with Plateau United
yet to win in their last five. It
is tough to see where this
game will swing considering
the poor scoring form of both
sides. Prediction: 1 – 1
Zamfara United v Sunshine
Stars
Already Zamfara United have
suffered two home defeats
and a third looks on the
cards for them this weekend
when Sunshine Stars come
calling. Though Gbenga
Ogunbote will not have the
duo of Cletus Itodo and
Harrison Egbune for this tie
since they are away on
international duties, his side
will still soldier on to claim a
second away win to continue
the chase on Dolphins at the
summit. Prediction: 1 – 2
Enyimba v Lobi Stars
Victor Barnabas will face his
old teammates when Lobi
Stars visit Aba on Sunday.
The champions surprisingly
lost to Jos University
Teaching Hospital (Juth)
Football Club by 1 – 2 on
Monday. But at home to Lobi
Stars, the Peoples Elephant
will trample on their
opponents as they have the
edge of having won eight
times in past 14 meetings
dating back to February 19,
2003. Lobi Stars have
managed just a point in
seven visits to the Aba
stadium. Prediction: 2 – 0
Monday, February 28, 2011
Bukola Babes v Ocean Boys
Both teams meet for the first
time in the Premier League in
a Monday game. Both clubs
have interesting stats going
into this match, as they have
lost just once in their last
five games. But Ocean Boys
in spite of their resurgence
lately, they have not picked
a point on the road in seven
games. It will be difficult for
the Brass Boys to hold off
the attacking line of the
Babes, which has averaged
1.6 goal(s) per game at home
this season. Prediction: 2 – 0

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