Nigeria Professional Football League title contenders Kano Pillars are poised to return to the top of the table when they host Go Round FC on Sunday, while former fan favourite Gbenga Ogunbote is set to return to Sunshine Stars with Enugu Rangers.
Pillars will be aiming to end a sequence of three consecutive draws at the Sani Abacha Stadium. they have enjoyed strong home form and only dropped points in the Nigerian Clasico against Enyimba.
With Plateau United out of action due to continental duties, Pillars can move into top spot with a win, and they'll also be aiming to extend the distance between nearest challengers Lobi Stars, Enyimba and Akwa United.
Fired on by Junior Lokosa, who is gunning for his 10th goal of the campaign in as many matches, coach Musa Ibrahim is looking to maintain Pillars' good form against the minnows on Sunday.
"I'm impressed with the commitment of my boys as we are gradually finding our shape," he told Goal, "but we must continue to fight in every game as a team to stay within the top two places.
"I must thank the management and the state government for the support they are giving us," he continued.
"We have no excuse not to stay focused and make the fans and people of Kano happy. We will be ready for [Go Round FC]."
Meanwhile, Enugu Rangers face a tricky away test at Sunshine Stars, and are aware that defeat would potentially drop them into the relegation zone and further into an unwanted battle for survival.
The hosts have had a mixed season after a strong start, and are currently 15th.
Sunshine shouldn't accord coach Ogunbote too many favours on his return to a club where he is adored as the Akure-based team look to build on their midweek South West Derby win and end the weekend in a top-eight spot.
Rivers United could be one of the biggest winners of the weekend if they manage to extend their impressive recent run by securing a third successive league victory at home to FC Ifeanyi Ubah.
Buoyed by a first away win of the campaign at Ilorin in the last round, coach Stanley Eguma, with all of his experience, can be relied upon to inflict more misery on the wretched away form of the visitors, as Rivers United aim to gain four spots and end the weekend in second.
Abia Warriors face bottom-club Kwara United in relegation battle at their newly adopted home at the Krisdera Hotel Stadium in Omoku, and the encounter could be a testing one for the Warriors.
Kwara were superb in their comeback draw away to Nasarawa United, and the unfamiliarity of the turf may negate any potential home advantage.
In other fixtures, El-Kanemi Warriors could climb out of the bottom four with a home victory against a Niger Tornadoes team whose fortunes have barely improved since the dismissal of Erasmus Onuh, and are just a point better off in 14th.
Lobi Stars will have a huge task in holding on to their third place on the log when they travel away to face a Heartland team who are seeking a fourth win in five games to go level on points with Akwa United and close in on Oriental rivals Enyimba.
Finally, Nasarawa United could be handed a get-out-of-jail card when they host a goal-shy Wikki Tourists, who are conceding goals with alarming regularity and have failed to register a point on the road this season.