CAN WIKKI TOURISTS HANG ON ?......
By Chinedu Laurel Okorodike
Follow me on Twitter via @laureldpundit
and Instagram via @laureldpundit
The Bird Nest Stadium comes alive this weekend as Akwa United hosts league leaders Wikki Tourists and will be looking to throw a spanner in the works of the table toppers and League title hopefuls.
The Promise Keepers have been in poor form recently as they've lost their past three games in all competitions. A nail-biting 3-2 home defeat to Enugu Rangers was followed by an inability to build on an early 1-0 lead against Warri Wolves which saw them succumb to a 3-1 defeat and the recent spate of defeats is threatening to preponderate their early season form which saw them compete in the upper echelons of the table, albeit, temporarily.
They also bowed out of the Federations Cup as they were shocked by giant-killers Crown FC of Ogbomosho. Belgian tactician Maurice Cooreman has been restored to his position after some internal wranglings months ago saw him suspended. They'll also need to curb their ephemeral loss of concentration in defence which has characterized their recent games especially in the defeat to Rangers which highlighted their poor defence as Rangers kept slicing through like hot knife through butter.
Wikki Tourists on the other hand will be coming into this game in fine form after winning 2-0 at home last week. Coach Abdul Maikaba will be relieved to see star striker Godwin Obaje break his goal drought which stretched to four months. They're also strong at the back which will give the Bauchi based side the confidence of getting a positive result to maintain top spot and keep nearest challengers Enugu Rangers at arm's length. A score draw looks a possible result here.
Head to Head
Lobi Stars and Warri Wolves have meet eight times. Lobi Stars have won thrice.All victory being at home, while Warri Wolves have won twice against Lobi. The two teams have also drawn twice against each other.
Akwa United Stars statistic
They are currently placed Tenth on the NPFL log
They have picked up 10 wins from 27 matches played so far.
They have lost Eight times so far in their away matches this season in the NPFL, and Three times at home this season.
They have won one away game in the NPFL so far this season which was against El-Kanemi Warriors
They have won Nine times at home this season.
They have drawn Three times at home this season and Three Times Away also
They have conceded 11 goals while playing at home this season and a whooping 23 goals while playing away from home.
They have scored 25 goals while playing at home this season and 9 goals while playing away from home.
Their biggest win this season was defeating El- Kanemi Warriors 3-1 away and also defeating Ikorodu United 3-0 in Uyo.
Their biggest loss this season was losing to MFM 3-0 away from home.
They have failed to score in Seven away games and Two home games
They have kept Eight Clean sheets at home and one Clean sheet away this season.
Wikki Tourists statistic
They are currently placed 1st on the NPFL log
They have picked up 13 wins from 27 matches played so far.
They have lost Six times so far in their away matches this season in the NPFL, and are yet to lose at home this season.
They have won two away game in the NPFL so far this season.
They have won Elelven times at home this season.
They have drawn Three times at home this season and Five Times Away
They have conceded 4 goals while playing at home this season and a whooping 13 goals while playing away from home.
They have scored 30 goals while playing at home this season and 7 goals while playing away from home.
Their biggest win this season was defeating Warri Wolves 4-0 at home.
Their biggest loss this season was losing to Plateau United 2-0 away from home.
They have failed to score in Six away games and Three home games
They have kept Ten Clean sheets at home and Four Clean sheet away this season.
They are second Half half fighters. They have scored 24 goals in the second half of matches they half played this season.
They have picked up eleven points away from home this season.
They have the league highest goal scorer in Godwin Obaje who has netted 14 goals so far this season
They have the league highest goal scorer in Godwin Obaje who has netted 14 goals so far this season
My Prediction: Akwa United 1-1 Wikki Tourists.
