Football
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Top guns battle for supremacy on NPFL matchday 31

Things are set to get intense at both ends of the NPFL on Sunday with leaders Plateau United facing a tough match away at Lobi Stars.

Akwa United vs. Nasarawa United

Akwa United play the first of two league games in three days against eighth-placed Nasarawa United in Uyo. The Solid Miners are on a roll, winning consecutive fixtures home and away.

Third-place Akwa United will have to wait until the last minute, to determine if injured talisman Alhassan Ibrahim makes the matchday squad.

ABS FC vs. Enugu Rangers

The relegation battle takes centre stage in Ilorin, between ABS FC and 14th-placed Enugu Rangers, who won their last league game on Thursday to temporarily swim out of the murky relegation waters.

The home team have been disastrous in the last month, and have dropped to 18th on the log.

ABS FC could capitalise on Enugu Rangers' off-field problems, as they aim to close a three-point gap to safety, fix a miserable run in front of goal and end a six-game winless streak.

FC Ifeanyi Ubah vs. Gombe United

FC Ifeanyi Ubah should make mincemeat of Gombe United, who are just one place above the foot of the table.

The north-east team appear to have found some form recently in their desperate bid to avoid the drop, picking up eight points in their last five games.

All of that should likely count for nothing against seventh-placed FC Ifeanyi Ubah, who can bank on the impressive form of Godwin Obaje, a striker who appears to have upped his killer instincts in the second round.

Kano Pillars vs. Remo Stars

Kano Pillars, 10th on the table, take on Remo Stars, who seem to have spent the entire season to date at the bottom of the table.

The teams are separated by 10 places, and expect a one-sided encounter in favour of Pillars, who should flex their muscles against their modest opponents.

Lobi Stars vs. Plateau United

The outcome of the north-central derby between sixth-placed Lobi Stars and leaders Plateau United in Makurdi could prove decisive as the latter look to get over the line.

United will know that this bout could be one of their toughest obstacles en route to a

MFM FC vs. Katsina United

Second-placed MFM FC will fancy their chances of keeping the pressure on the leaders when they host Katsina United in Lagos.

Stephen Odey has failed to maintain his impressive first-round strike rate, struggling for goals in the second phase, a situation which has coincided with a dip in MFM FC's home form.

It will be a tall order for 11th-placed Katsina United to upset the form guide against a title-chasing team.

Rivers United vs. Wikki Tourists

Struggling Rivers United welcome 12th-place Wikki Tourist to Port Harcourt this weekend.

The home team, who are a spot above the dropzone, passed up a perfect opportunity to further climb up the table when they lost against Sunshine Stars in midweek.

They have another bite at the cherry with the second of three successive home games against a Wikki side who, despite hitting the 40-point mark for the season, are still looking over their shoulders.

Shooting Stars vs. Enyimba

Relegation-threatened Shooting Stars host fourth-placed Enyimba in Ibadan as they attempt to consolidate the away draw secured in the reverse fixture.

Historically, both teams are heavyweights in the league circles, but Shooting Stars are enduring a challenging season, as they occupy the last relegation spot.

Expect Enyimba to see the game as a perfect opportunity to tighten their grip on a top-four spot, in the final home stretch of the league season.

Sunshine Stars vs. El-Kanemi Warriors

Sunshine Stars should earn a home win at the second time of asking against fifth-place El-Kanemi Warriors.

The visitors' Bala Yahuza could play the role of spoiler against the side he moved from during the midseason transfer window.

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