The match day 9 of the Nigeria Premier League will take place on Saturday and Sunday with mouth-watering games across venues in the country.
High-flying Doma United will hope to continue their impressive performance when they play host to Plateau United at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe.
The Savannah Tigers have suddenly become a big revelation this season and their 1-0 win over the champions Enyimba International during the week speaks volume.
Plateau United who is presently in 6th position will have extra work to do with the present form of Hilary Ekawu.
Plateau United scored all the goals last weekend when they defeated Abia Warrior 3-1 and will hope to keep the scoring form against Doma United.
Bendel Insurance will also host Kwara United on Saturday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin.
The Benin Arsenal got a decent goalless draw against Tornadoes in match day 8 but will have to cope without their first-choice goalkeeper Amas Obasogie who is currently with the national team.
But the trio of Benjamin Tanimu, Evans Ogbonda, and Deputa Echeta should be able to deliver the needed goals against the Afonja Warriors who played a 1-1 draw against 10-man Shooting Stars in their last match.
One of the top games of the week will come up at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Adamasingba where host Shooting Stars will face Kano Pillars.
The Oluyole Warriors will have to look for adequate replacements for their captain Taofeek Malomo who will be unavailable for the game due to suspension.
Shooting Stars almost secured a valuable away win last weekend against Kwara United but surrendered a last-minute penalty as the game ended 1-1
The absence of Malomo should be an advantage for Pillars who will also be relying on the old war horse Rabiu Ali to get a decent result in Ibadan.
Gombe United will aim to redeem their battered image when they host Niger Tornadoes at the Pantami Stadium.
Gombe suffered a 4-0 defeat to Remo Stars in Ikenne, Tornadoes on their part will need the game to bounce back to winning ways after two consecutive games with a win.
All their effort to edge over Insurance proved abortive last weekend as Obasogie was on top of his game.
In Yenogoa, Bayelsa United will host Sunshine Stars at the Samson Siasia stadium and will bank on Robert Mirzo to continue his scoring prowess.
After suffering back-to-back home defeats to Remo Stars and Lobi Stars, it seems Bayelsa United have arrested their slump with a 2-2 draw against Heartland FC.
After failing to score against Rangers International, Michael Olalusi will want to return to scoring ways in Yenogoa.
After winning 2 games so far this season, Enyimba International without their coach Finidi George will have to work hard to thwart the league leader Lobi Stars at the Enyimba International stadium in Aba.
The People’s Elephant suffered a 1-0 defeat to Doma United in a rescheduled game during the week and facing on-form Lobi Stars will be a difficult task for them.
Midfielder Daniel Daga will be missing for the host after getting a marching order against Doma United and Chinedu Sunday will hope to secure another maximum point for the away side.
Rangers will have their hands full when they confront Katsina United which is presently getting its good form.
Katsina United beat Rivers United by a lone goal in the match day 8 with a goal from Masour Saleh in a game that came with a big surprise.
Fidelis Ilechukwu will hope his attacker continues their scoring form to get the full point at the Awka City Stadium.
Under pressure, Akwa United must be top of their game to get the required point against the visiting Remo Stars in Eket.
Fatai Osho’s tutored boys have won once this season and must contain the attacking threat of Sikiri Alimi, Lekan Adams, and Aniekemen Okon.
After scoring 3 goals in the opening game against Bayelsa United, goal-scoring has become a major issue for the Promise Keepers.
The Sky Blue Boys secured a favourable result at this venue last season but will have to work hard to repeat the same feat on Sunday.
Rivers United will want to return to winning ways and will bank on the impressive form of Alex Oyowah and Andy Okpe to topple Abia Warriors.
Abia Warriors will be more defensive-minded in this encounter and will not want to concede 3 goals again just like it happened against Plateau United.
Heartland FC will continue their search for the first victory of the season when they face Sporting Lagos at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.
The Lagos-based side lost narrowly to Lobi Stars last weekend and eyes will be on Junior Lokosa and Jonathan Alukwu to shoot down the Naze Millionaires.
Match Day 9 Fixtures
Doma United v Plateau United
Bendel Insurance v Kwara United
Shooting Stars v Kano Pillars
Akwa United v Remo Stars
Rangers v Katsina United
Bayelsa United v Sunshine Stars
Enyimba v Lobi Stars
Gombe United v Niger Tornadoes
Sporting Lagos v Heartland
Rivers United v Abia Warriors.
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