Following the commencement of the second round of the Nigeria Professional Football League on Saturday in Port Harcourt, nine games will be played across match venues on Sunday in match-day 20.
Remo Stars VS Enyimba
Rock-bottom, Remo Stars hosts Enyimba at the Gateway International Stadium, Sagamu.
The privately sponsored team has found the going tough in their debut league campaign and it won't get any easier against the Peoples Elephant from Aba.
Enyimba, haven't totally dominated games this season the way they ought to despite the goals of leading marksman and captain, Mfon Udoh, who has scored 8 of his teams 18 goals.
The goals appear to have dried up in recent games for Victor Mbaoma, who netted 7 goals for Remo Stars before his season was interrupted by injury. The captain couldn't save his team from going down by a lone goal in the reverse fixture played in Calabar.
Despite the pedigree of the seven-time champions, they have failed to win in any of their away league games this season.
Remo Stars head coach Fatai Osho has promised a different approach to the second round from his players, starting with Sunday's game against Enyimba.
"We believe we have a team that can compete, we have prepared so well and we are looking at the second round of the season with a lot of optimism.
"We shall start the journey this weekend when we take on Enyimba, a team that deserves a lot of respect. To defeat a team like Enyimba, we need to respect them and then take the game to them and take our chances." Osho concluded.
Remo has proven to be capable of churning out big results on home turf this season, a pointer to the fact that visiting team led by Coach Gbenga Ogunbote need to bring their A-game.
Katsina United VS Plateau United
League leaders, Plateau United have a perfect opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table on Sunday at Katsina United.
In the aftermath of the violence that marred their home game against Enyimba in April, Katsina United have been sanctioned by the League Management Company, including fines and next two home matches behind closed doors, though both are suspended for a probationary period lasting the remainder of the season.
Plateau United lost the services of dependable forward John Odimegwu to Rivers United, while experienced defender Emmanuel Olowu has been suspended by the club. And, Bature Yero joins up from Wikki Tourists to strengthen the forward line in the final title push.
Considering Plateau's superior attack and defence, they should earn a result against a Katsina team that averagely concedes a goal every game.
Enugu Rangers VS Gombe United
An interesting matchup takes place at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium between Enugu Rangers and visiting Gombe United.
In the reverse fixture played barely a fortnight ago, violence marred the encounter in Gombe, the home team's goalkeeper Emmanuel Fabiyi was allegedly attacked by his own supporters amid match fixing allegations against the Benin Republic international.
Interestingly, both teams are level on points, wins, draws and losses for the season. Rangers are placed a position ahead of Gombe United in 16th place based on superior goal difference and they should build on their recent impressive home form to earn a win which potentially takes them within touching distance of the top-half of the table.
Goal shy, Osas Okoro was the hero for the champions in the reverse fixture, netting a last minute stunning equalising goal. For a player, who doesn't often get on the scoresheet, it will be pleasant to see him netting in successive league games.
Wikki Tourists VS Abia Warriors
Wikki Tourists is in a race in time to salvage its season when they welcome an unpredictable Abia Warriors team to Bauchi.
The home team has struggled this season, lingering just a spot above bottom place much to the disappointment of the club sponsors, who sacked the club's board and coaching crew.
Despite their struggles, Wikki Tourists has remained formidable at home, unbeaten to date, winning all but three games. The coming of a new coach, Bala Nikyu hopefully will bring the expected turn around for the club in the second stage of the league.
Abia Warriors could fancy their chances of picking a point in this game. Their task will be made a bit easier by the presence of danger man Sunday Adetunji, who earlier this week set a 20 goal target at the end of the season. So far, the forward has netted 9 goals and we shouldn't be surprised if he gets into double figures at the end of the game.
ABS FC VS El-Kanemi Warriors
ABS must be rearing to go in the second stage of the league season, after encountering major difficulties in the final weeks of the first round.
The club enjoyed a fairly decent start to the season, but soon began to drop points, home and away, a situation which largely contributed to their current 12th position on the league table.
They welcome an El-Kanemi Warriors team that is 3rd on the log, due largely to a perfect home form. The Ladan Bosso tutored team remarkably is the only team yet to draw a game in the league, winning the solitary game on the road against Abia Warriors.
In the reverse fixture played, El-Kanemi Warriors secured a narrow one-nil win. Given the extended break majority of the teams enjoyed, we should expect ABS to come out tops in this game to be played in Ilorin.
MFM FC VS Akwa United
Undoubtedly the star match of the week takes place at the Agege Stadium, Lagos between MFM FC and Akwa United, a game which should live up to its billing.
The game sees second position MFM FC, who is just two points adrift of the leaders taking on an equally formidable Akwa United team in fifth position. The visiting team fortified their team with the addition of five players during the midseason transfer window.
It will be interesting to see if Coach Abdul Maikaba entrusts Ojo Olorunleke with goalkeeping duties just a few weeks after the goalkeeper completed his switch from Sunshine Stars of Akure. If he does get the nod, it will be an interesting battle between Olorunleke and league top scorer, Stephen Odey.
Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu and his team must fancy their chances against the visiting team who they lost to in Uyo in the penultimate game. MFM FC is yet to lose a home game this season, maintaining a 100 percent record.
That record could be put to test against an Akwa United team that parades two former MFM players, Ifeanyi Ifeanyi and Musa Newman, two erstwhile key players who could have the antidote to the winning formula of their former teammates.
'Soccer Temple' has been one of the most entertaining stadiums to watch league matches this season and this encounter shouldn't be an exception. Expectedly we should see goals at both ends of the pitch, fans thrilled to top notch football artistry and the better team emerging victorious at the blast of the final whistle.
Kano Pillars VS Niger Tornadoes
Club legend, Ahmed 'Yaro Yaro' Garba makes his managerial bow in the league as a coach, when he leads out Kano Pillars against Niger Tornadoes.
The former Nigerian international striker was elevated to the position of head coach from the youth team setup and it should be interesting to see how he handles the pressure and expectations of coaching in the top flight, starting with this game against a Tornadoes team in the top four position.
The refusal of Jamiu Alimi to rescind his decision to join Akwa United during the midseason transfer window was attributed to assurances he got from the coach of increased playing time at Kano Pillars. It will be a tough call to make for the debutant coach as he is spoilt for choices between the trio of Alimi, Chinedu Udoji and Emmanuel in the heart of defence, all top performers.
Pillars need to up their game in this encounter, as they are without a win in six successive games, failing to win their last two home ties.
The signing of former Kano Pillars defender, Nelson Ogbonnaya by Niger Tornadoes might see the man mountain defender thwart the attacking threats from Gambo Mohammed, but the superior qualities of Pillars and the fortress they have built over the years at the Sani Abacha Stadium should factor largely in Masu Gida carrying the day.
Shooting Stars VS FC Ifeanyi Ubah
Shooting Stars could potentially find themselves involved in a relegation dog fight if results do not improve for the Fatai Amoo coached team.
The Ibadan-based team hosts FC Ifeanyi Ubah, a team who have always produced a spectacle whenever they come to town. The last meeting between both teams in Ibadan was a draw which produced four goals, following up a narrow 2-1 win from the previous season for Shooting Stars.
FC Ifeanyi Ubah, the leagues form team, could attempt to go one better in Ibadan as they attempt to complete a unique sequence of a loss, draw and win in three successive seasons at the Lekan Salami Stadium.
Traditionally, the second round of the league over the years has always seen defenders getting tighter, giving marginal room for joy for the strikers.
The expected departure of Ikechukwu Ezenwa to the Super Eagles training camp in France on Monday, could give room to back-up Ivorian goalkeeper, Idrissa Bamba. Whoever keeps goal for the visiting 'Anambra Warriors' has to be at his best to deny Sunday Faleye, the major source of inspiration for Shooting Stars this season.
Sunshine Stars VS Lobi Stars
A new era beckons at Sunshine Stars with the arrival of former Super Eagles coach, Austin Eguavoen and departure of erstwhile first choice goalkeeper Ojo Olorunleke, Samad Quadri, Yahuza Bala and Ayo Saka.
Eguavoen got off to a winning start at home against Enugu Rangers three weeks ago in a rescheduled game and the experienced coach will be keen on building on that win to ease relegation worries, a job he was brought in to do.
Much has changed in the playing personnel since the reverse 3-1 home win recorded by Lobi Stars in Makurdi, a game where Tony Okpotu stole the show with a hat-trick, the fourth of the league season.
Sunshine Stars completed nine new signings during the midseason transfer market. Headlining the new arrivals are; Dayo Ojo who returns from his sojourn in Sudan with Al-Merriekh barely a year since his departure from the Akure-based team, while Seun Olulayo also re-joins the team from Abia Warriors alongside attacking midfielder Michael Okoyoh.
Lobi Stars themselves have been busy in the transfer market, adding Paul Onobi to compliment the efforts of Eneji Otekpa in holding midfield. Solomon Kwambe will hope to make a winning return to a ground he called home for a couple of seasons.
We should expect to see a cagey, low scoring encounter like it has been in the past between the pair at the Akure Township Stadium.