5 teams that MUST NOT drop points today

Noni Madueke scores his first goal for Chelsea against Arsenal

5 teams that MUST NOT drop points today

Izuchukwu Akawor 12:19 - 07.05.2023

It is another action-packed Sunday in football with blockbusters slated across the English Premier League and NPFL.

There are 11 games slated across both leagues later today as the race for top four and playoffs continues.

In the NPFL, defending champions Rivers United are back in action after a painful exit from the CAF Champions League while Arsenal and Manchester United look to keep up the pressure on Manchester City and the top four with difficult away matches.

With a lot at stake across the leagues, here are teams that cannot afford to drop more points at this stage of the season.

Manchester United

The Red Devils have seen what looked like a comfortable position in the top four disappear after Liverpool closed the gap between them to just one point.

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Jurgen Klopp’s men sealed a hard-fought 1-0 win over Brentford at Anfield to pile on the pressure on their fierce rivals, United, who, however, have two games in hand.

Erik Ten Hag and his Red Devils are in London later today to face West Ham United in a game the Old Trafford side must not drop points.

West Ham vs Manchester United
Manchester United are looking to bounce back to winning ways after that defeat to Brighton.

United have enjoyed an excellent record away from home this season against teams in and around them on the table but should not be confident for this particular fixture against the 15th-placed Hammers.

Remo Stars and Plateau United

These two teams go head-to-head in Jos in the standout fixture in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

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It’s another Super Sunday with Remo Stars taking on a direct rival in the race for top three and a ticket to the Super Six.

Only two points separate third-placed Remo from Plateau, who are fifth on the table going into this game.

What makes this encounter particularly exiting is that either team must not drop points with two games to go.

With two spots left to fight for after Group A leaders, Bendel Insurance, appear to have pocketed one of three tickets, the grass will suffer when these two take to the new Jos pitch.

NPFL
Plateau United duo Daniel Itodo and Mustapha Yaga are key men for United.

Arsenal

Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal side have watched Manchester City come from behind to take control of the Premier League table after over 240 days at the top.

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The Gunners are now four points behind the Cityzens after 34 matches, with four games to go. Arteta believes the race is not over yet, and with a trip to St James’ Park on the horizon, this is the moment for the North London side to keep the pressure on.

Arsenal take on Newcastle, who sit third on the table and have serious ambitions of their own as they look to return to Europe after more than a decade away.

Arsenal need a win to keep the pressure on Man City.

It is a game that has so much consequences for both teams, just as in Jos, where Plateau host Remo in the NPFL.

Akwa United

Sitting outside the playoff zone, Akwa United know that they must take advantage of two direct rivals locking horns.

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United are just a point off the top three and with Plateau United and Remo Stars facing each other, the Promise Keepers will have no excuse not to take three points off their visitors El Kanemi Warriors in Uyo.

Akwa have the second best record at home this season in Group B, with six wins and one draw in eight matches.

NPFL: Akwa United vs El Kanemi
Akwa United were too hard a nut to break for Enyimba.

Rivers United

The defending champions return to the NPFL looking to put behind them a sad exit from the CAFCC.

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The Pride of Rivers have three games in hand and currently sit fourth in Group B, just a point off a place in the top three.

United welcome Bayelsa United to Port Harcourt and must begin the healing process against the Restoration Boys at home.

Which other team must not drop points today on Super Sunday?

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