The two pacesetters of the NPFL championship round, the top two teams on this early table, Enyimba and Rivers United, will go one-on-one Sunday at 17:00 GMT as they look to gain an early points and a psychological edge.
Enyimba, who have kept a single clean sheet in the opening three outings, will look to finetune their structure and shape to ensure they can bolster their attack while gaining some defensive solidity.
Rivers United have kept two clean sheets in the opening three assignments in the NPFL; they will look to retain their compactness and solidity in the top-of-the-table clash with Enyimba on Sunday.
Key Highlights
Enyimba’s Clean Sheet Record Can Be Improved
Enyimba have kept a single clean sheet in the opening three championship round matches, which highlights an area they need to improve to bolster their NPFL challenge.
The clean sheet came in their only win so far, the 0-1 triumph over Lobi Stars. In their opening match of this round, they conceded two goals enroute to a 2-2 draw that saw them concede at the death to settle for a share of the points.
In their latest clash against Bendel, on Wednesday, Enyimba opened the scoring through Sadiq Abubakar Adamu in the 23rd minute; however, they conceded in the 37th minute, which was enough to force Enyimba to settle for a share of the points.
Enyimba, therefore, need to fix their defensive record and ensure that they can start keeping clean sheets. This will be especially crucial in the top-of-the-table clash with Rivers United in Sunday.
Rivers United Have Room to Sharpen Their Attack
Rivers United’s opening 0-1 win against Sunshine Stars has been followed by two consecutive draws in the NPFL. This means that they have amassed 5 points out of the available nine and are second on the early NPFL championship round table.
Rivers scored three goals in the three matches, averaging a goal every match and conceding two. Their defense is solid and compact, which gives them a robust platform to challenge at the top of the table.
However, the four goals they have scored are third-best in the championship, behind Remo’s 5 goals and Enyimba’s 4 goals. As a result, Rivers need to bolster their attacking as they look to challenge at the top.
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Enhancing their attacking threat is especially important when they come up against Enyimba on Sunday in a clash that will have ramifications at the top of the table.
The manager’s focus will be to come up with ways to improve their attacking thrust and dynamism without endangering their defensive solidity.
Injury Report
Enyimba
Enyimba will have all their matchday squad available for selection ahead of their clash with Rivers United on Sunday.
Rivers Utd
The Rivers Camp has not reported any injuries or suspensions that will affect their clash against Enyimba.
Possible Lineups
Enyimba
O. Ojo; A. Adeleke, O. Adegbola, I. Obot, P. Eze; F. Abdullahi, S. Guera, C. Obasi, A. Eriugo; C. Obioma, S. A. Adamu
Rivers Utd
A. Akande; E. G. Duru, T. Emekayi, N. Ndasi, E. K. Godswill; F. Williams, Y. Omotayo, C. Madu, J. Onoja; C. L. Ekeocha, N. Akpesiri; D. Nwachukwu
Prediction
Enyimba will look to dominate the game. They will look to control the middle of the pack through patient passing and recycling of the ball. They will keep probing and moving the ball to enable them to create goalscoring chances.
Rivers United will be compact and solid in their approach. However, they will be proactive when they have possession. They will look to use quick passing and their pace down the flanks to create chances in front of goal.
Enyimba and Rivers United will share the spoils with a draw the likely result in this clash.
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