Rivers United can make it consecutive wins on matchday 17 when they host Nasarawa United, while in-form winger Emeka Ogbugh is poised to extend his rich scoring form.
Enugu Rangers will be expecting to end the four-game unbeaten run of rock-bottom Kwara United, although the struggles will be buoyed as they travel to the Flying Antelopes.
Rivers United could climb four spots on the table and end the weekend in second provided they can secure a home win against Nasarawa United, who have lost all previous eight away matches.
Ogbugh's superb form can help the Pride of Rivers make it two league games on the bounce, with the winger finding the net in his last three games - against Heartland, Katsina United and Akwa United.
"Nasarawa United are a formidable side and we need to be wary of their quality," the wideman told KweséESPN. "We know a win takes us closer to our season's objective, and despite my desire to continue my scoring form, I'd rather prefer the three points."
Rock-bottom Kwara United face their second big opposition in four days away at Enugu Rangers, where they'll count on their fine goalscoring form to get the job done.
However, the Flying Antelopes are gunning for a second successive home victory, which would take them level on points with Kano Pillars, who, like Akwa United, aren't in action this weekend.
Abubakar Bala will be hoping that his side can extend his unbeaten start to life at Kwara United, and lift them off the table.
Elsewhere, coach Abdullahi Biffo returns to Abia Warriors with high-flying Katsina United on Sunday.
The Warriors are on a run of three straight draws and must keep a close eye on a Katsina side that are third on the log and proving to be tough to crack away.
A massive relegation battle takes centre stage in Maiduguri between El-Kanemi Warriors and Heartland.
El-Kanemi are second from bottom, while Heartland are a point and position ahead.
It will be intriguing to see how Mehmet Tayfun fares in his first game in charge of Heartland in front of a vocal home crowd but can they take advantage of Warriors' poor scoring return to take a point?
In other fixtures, Sunshine Stars, in search of a first win in four outings, must capitalise on home advantage against a Wikki Tourists team who are pointless on the road to enable the Akure-based team to climb out of the drop zone.
Finally, Niger Tornadoes, who have 11 points in their last five games, are guests of a Go Round FC side that often manage to cut visitors down to size at home.