Matchday 36 of the NPFL gets underway today, Saturday 2nd July by 4pm and although Rivers United are crowned Champions, there are still lots of unfinished business in the league regarding who plays continental football next season, who goes down and who stays up.
SATURDAY
ABIA WARRIORS V GOMBE UNITED
16th placed Abia Warriors will face 9th place Gombe United. Abia Warriors who are just 2 points above the relegtion places will be looking to get all three points against Gombe United who need just a point in the game to ensure they play in the top division of Nigerian football next season. Abia Warriors drew their last match 2-2 with Shooting Stars while Gombe United won Wikki Tourist 2-1.
DAKKADA FC V KASTINA UNITED
19th place Dakkada FC will battle Kastina United who are sitting in 14th place in the NPFL log. Dakkada FC badly need all three points if they want to play in the NPFL next season. Dakkada FC lost to Lobi Stars 1-0 while Kastina United beat Remo Stars somewhat controversially 3-2.
HEARTLAND V SUNSHINE STARS
Heartland are currently in the relegation places in 18th and are on 41 points and will be facing Sunshine Stars who are on 51 points in 7th place. Heartland drew 0-0 last time out with Enyimba while Sunshine Stars beat MFM 1-0. Heartland will be needing something out of this game if they are to avoid the drop to the NNL.
ENUGU RANGERS V SHOOTING STARS
Enugu Rangers who are on 52 points in 4th place will be facing relegation threatened Shooting Stars who are on 44 points in 15th position. Enugu Rangers will be looking to dispatch Shooting Stars as they stand a chance to knock Remo Stars off 3rd place and gain continental football while shooting stars will be looking to gain points to avoid the drop.
SUNDAY
MFM V NIGER TORNADOES
MFM will go to the match on the back of a 2-1 loss to Shooting Stars while opponents Niger Tornadoes smashed Kwara United 4-0 last time out. This fixture between MFM and Niger Tornadoes is a true definition of a relegation 6 pointer, if MFM drop points at home to Niger Tornadoes, they will be officially relegated and if Niger Tornadoes loose to MFM, it blows the battle for survival wide open.
RIVERS UNITED V KANO PILLARS
Champions Rivers United will be looking to defeat Kano Pillars as they will lift the trophy today at home. Kano Pillars will want to capitalize on the fact that Rivers United have won the league and are on cruise mode as we saw last week when Nassawara United beat them 2-1. Kano Pillars who are on 13th place, will be looking for a win to boost their survival hopes after a win over Enugu Rangers.
KWARA UNITED V NASSAWARA UNITED
6th place Kwara United will do battle with 10th place Nassawara United. Kwara United who are on 52 points will be looking for all three points against Nassawara United in 10th to battle for continental football while Nassawara United will be looking to cement their place in the NPFL next season with a win.
REMO STARS V ENYIMBA
3rd place Remo Stars will be feeling sour due to the manner of their 3-2 defeat to Kastina United and will be facing fellow rivals Enyimba. Enyimba who are in 5th place are separated from Remo Stars with just one point and this match is a huge continental 6 pointer for both teams involved. Enyimba will have to do a lot better than last time out against Heartland were they drew 0-0 if they are to get all three points.
PLATEAU UNITED V LOBI STARS
2nd place Plateau United will be looking to seal the Champions League spot when they face 12th place Lobi Stars. Plateau United were beaten by Akwa United 2-1, last time out and Rivers United were crowned Champions, Lobi Stars on the other hand were triumphant against Dakkada FC 1-0 and will be looking for a win to cement their place in the NPFL.
WIKKI TOURISTS V AKWA UNITED
- 11th place Wikki Tourists will face former NPFL champions Akwa United. Akwa United who are on 8th are just two points(51) behind 3rd place(53) and will so much love a win against Wikki Tourists as they will be hoping to play continental football next season. Wikki Tourists are in the relegation scrap and will be looking for a win against Akwa United to distance themselves from the drop zone, they are on 46 points in 11th position.
All NPFL matches will be played by 4pm GMT+1.