It promises to be a thrilling round of action as the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) enters Matchday 4 on Wednesday.
After Matchday 3 games on Saturday and Sunday, hostility resume when all twenty clubs file out in 10 different stadia.
Matchday 4 will see four teams hoping to get their first win of the season while top of the table, Rivers United unbeaten streak will be at stake in Bauchi.
Abia Warriors, Heartland FC, Wikki Tourists and Adamawa United have something in common heading to Matchday 4.
Read Also: Lionel plots Plateau United downfall after picking point in Lafia
All quartet will be playing at home and are winless in their last three games of the season.
NPFL lovers are favoured to witness two Oriental derbies in one day and with the help of the NPFL.TV they can watch their favourite games.
However, Africatopsports.com picked five matches for lovers of NPFL perceived to be the most intriguing games of Matchday 4.
Heartland FC Vs Enyimba
Heartland poor start to the season is something of concern for Fidelis Ilechukwu and his technical crew.
The Owerri-based club are yet to win a single game which leave the axe dangling on Ilechukwu’s head.
They face a highly motivated Enyimba side in another Oriental derby of the 2020/2021 NPFL season.
Form Guide
To speak of the current form Heartland is, there will be absolutely nothing much to write about especially when they lost at home matchday 2.
That was what Plateau United capitalised on to get their first win of the season.
For Enyimba, fighting to remain in the top four is their target as no one know how the league might be decided again.
Two wins from two games is a good result for Fatai Osho and with one game at hand, they could only try and cash out on Heartland poor start.
Head-to-Head
Here is why Enyimba should not be carried away by their current form because it has always be a cracker in the Oriental derby.
The last time the People’s Elephant visited the Dan Anyiam Stadium, both team settled for goalless in December 1, 2019.
Both teams have met 21 times with both sides winning seven of the derby apiece while seven of their meeting ended in a draw.
However, Heartland will be buoyed by their 2-0 pre-season win against their neighbours which could see the host get their first win of the season.
According to statistic, on average in direct matches both teams scored a 1.38 goals per Match.
Enugu Rangers Vs FC IfeanyiUbah
Rangers returns to the Cathedral to host neighbours FC IfeanyiUbah in another Oriental derby following their 1-0 away win against Jigawa Golden Stars.
It was the Flying Antelopes second consecutive victory after losing their opening game.
Form Guide
Enugu Rangers dusted themselves from their opening game slip to Rivers United and since then, they have won their last two games.
The win against Jigawa G.S will be a morale booster against an FC IfeanyiUbah side who immediately went back to sleep after winning their first game of the season.
FC IfeanyiUbah were stunned in Nnewi by visiting Dakkada FC and they have now gone two games without a win.
Head-To-Head
We are in for another thrilling encounter between both teams who have won four times against each other in nine of their previous meeting and draw once.
But the Cathedral is not a ground for IfeanyiUbah to stroll in and walk away easily with three points.
The last time they visited Rangers, FC IfeanyiUbah lost 3-1 back in January 8,2020.
On average in direct matches both teams scored a 2.33 goals per Match.
Wikki Tourist Vs Rivers United
Winless Wikki Tourists will be hoping to produce one of the shockers for Matchday 4 when they host Rivers United.
The Bauchi-based club have managed just to get one draw on their last three games and have lost two of their previous games.
For Rivers United, they have been a team to watch this season.
They have won all their six games in all competitions ; three in the CAF Confederation Cup and three in the league.
The 3-0 drubbing of Kwara United on Matchday 3 was a clear message of intent from Stanley Eguma and his lads.
Form Guide
High flying Rivers United unbeaten run is not a fluff but as a result of high level of preparedness even before the league kicked off.
Consistency and hunger with a fluid style of play have earned them the results both at home and away.
Wikki first game at home ended with a goalless against Plateau United before losing 1-0 to Enyimba again on Matchday 3.
Head-To-Head
Rivers United unbeaten streak could be at stake when it comes to playing against Wikki Tourists.
Both teams have met 16 previous times with Wikki winning seven out of that meeting while Rivers United won four games and 4 ended in a draw.
The last time Rivers United played in Bauchi, they were defeated 2-0.
On average in direct matches both teams scored a 1.81 goals per Match.
Kano Pillars Vs Plateau United
Kano Pillars will be hoping to maintain their unbeaten run when they host a rejuvenating Plateau United.
Plateau United have been able to pick four points in their last two games after losing the opening game to Kwara United at home.
For Kano Pillars, they have been able to pick two points in two games on the road and won their first game at home.
We should expect a thrilling game from both side who will be battling for thr three points.
Form Guide
Both teams have the capability to match each others judging from their last two games.
Kano Pillars went to Lafia and shared the points while Plateau recorded their first win against Heartland FC.
Head-To-Head
Kano Pillars have the better side of Plateau United in their last 10 NPFL games.
The Ma Su Gida side have won 4 direct matches while Plateau managed to win just one with 5 matches ended in a draw.
The last time Plateau played against Kano Pillars, it ended 1-0 in favour of Pillars.
On average in direct matches both teams scored a 1.80 goals per Match.
Sunshine Stars Vs Lobi Stars
Our last pick for Matchday 4 is the game between Sunshine and Lobi Stars at the Akure Township Stadium.
It will be the first time Gbenga Ogunbote will play against his former club since he took over as Sunshine new manager.
Form Guide
Ogunbote failed to guide his side to a second win against MFM FC as Sunshine narrowly lost 1-0.
Lobi Stars defeated Warri Wolves 3-0 on Matchday 3.
Both teams are yet to win a game away from home and for Ogunbote, he will be able to give his players the hint on how to defeat his former former club.
Head-To-Head
Lobi Stars have bragging right over Sunshine Stars in their 25 previous meeting.
The 2018 NPFL champions have won 11 direct matches while Sunshine Stars won 8 and 11 of the matches ended in stalemate.
On average in direct matches both teams scored a 1.96 goals per Match.
NPFL Matchday 4 Full Fixtures
Adamawa United Vs Nasarawa United
Kano Pillars Vs Plateau United
Heartland FC Vs Enyimba
Wikki Tourists Vs Rivers United
Kwara United Vs Akwa United
Abia Warriors Vs Jigawa G.S
Enugu Rangers Vs FC IfeanyiUbah
Dakkada FC Vs MFM FC
Sunshine Stars Vs Lobi Stars
Warri Wolves Vs Katsina United