NPFL Prediction: Rangers to fly over Pillars, Benin Arsenal to flog Akwa United

Enugu Rangers will be hoping for another win later today. (Photo Credit: Rangers/X)

NPFL Prediction: Rangers to fly over Pillars, Benin Arsenal to flog Akwa United

Izuchukwu Akawor 11:42 - 28.10.2023

Matchday 5 in NPFL features highfliers like Benin Arsenal, Rangers International and the struggling Akwa United.

As the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, gears up for another exciting round of matches, fans are buzzing with anticipation and so am I. 

With three matches slated across the country on Saturday, here are my fearless predictions for these thrilling matchups that promise to deliver a spectacle on the pitch for fans. 

Rangers Ready to Soar

To kick this off, in what promises to be a high-octane showdown, rejuvenated Rangers International are set to welcome Kano Pillars to Akwa City.

var widgetLoaderConfig = widgetLoaderConfig || { CDN_URL: 'https://widgets.sportal365.com', APP_LINK: 'desktop', API_URL: 'https://africa.football.api.sportal365.com/', API_KEY: '2f852b4de2f3a5cf3188e74b33087bb4:2c18422f8e826a7d11aeed52edb2449e', LANG: 'en', REQUEST_INTERVAL: 30, ENABLE_BET_SLIP: false, AUTHOR: false, THEME: "light", TOURNAMENT_ORDER: "pulse_nigeria", LINK_OPTIONS_V2: { 'player' : { 'url': '/football/player/{playerId}' }, 'team' : { 'url': '/football/{teamId}' }, 'tournament': { 'url': '/football/competition/{tournamentId}' }, 'match': { 'url' : '/football/match/{matchId}', 'sort': { 'criteria': 'alphabetically', 'direction': 'asc' } }, 'configuration': { 'newWindow': false }, 'standings_tournament': { 'url': '/football/competition/{tournamentId}/standings' } } }; if (!document.querySelector('script[src="https://widgets.sportal365.com/loader.bundle.min.js"]')) { window.setTimeout(function () { let scriptCss = document.createElement('link'); scriptCss.href = 'https://www.pulsesports.co.ke/css/sport-widgets.css?v=1668785443'; scriptCss.rel = 'stylesheet'; scriptCss.type = 'text/css'; document.body.appendChild(scriptCss); let scriptTag = document.createElement('script'); scriptTag.src = 'https://widgets.sportal365.com/loader.bundle.min.js'; scriptTag.defer = true; scriptTag.onload = function () { window.setTimeout(function () { new SMPWidgetsLoader(widgetLoaderConfig); }, 200); }; document.head.appendChild(scriptTag); }, 0); } else { new SMPWidgetsLoader(widgetLoaderConfig); }

The Flying Antelopes have won two, drawn one and lost one of their four matches to sit third on the NPFL table. With seven points from a possible 12, Fidelis Ilechukwu’s men will look to seal a third win of the season when they host Pillars later today.

On the other hand, their visitors are Kano Pillars, the newly promoted team, which will look to put up a fight against the Enugu outfit, now fondly known as ‘Suits FC’ thanks to the incredible work of general manager, Amobi Ezeaku.

Rangers manager, Fidelis Ilechukwu. (Photo Credit: Rangers/X)

Like Rangers, Pillars are also after a third win of the season after two wins and two defeats in four matches.

However, Pillars are the underdogs in this particular fixture by their current form. The two defeats they have faced this season have been on the road while the Rangers have won all their games at home. 

Prediction: Expect a home win for the Antelopes with a fight from the away side. 

FT: Rangers 2-1 Pillars

Benin Arsenal to Bring the Heat

In Benin City, things are heating up as Bendel Insurance prepare to host the struggling Akwa United from Akwa Ibom.

var widgetLoaderConfig = widgetLoaderConfig || { CDN_URL: 'https://widgets.sportal365.com', APP_LINK: 'desktop', API_URL: 'https://africa.football.api.sportal365.com/', API_KEY: '2f852b4de2f3a5cf3188e74b33087bb4:2c18422f8e826a7d11aeed52edb2449e', LANG: 'en', REQUEST_INTERVAL: 30, ENABLE_BET_SLIP: false, AUTHOR: false, THEME: "light", TOURNAMENT_ORDER: "pulse_nigeria", LINK_OPTIONS_V2: { 'player' : { 'url': '/football/player/{playerId}' }, 'team' : { 'url': '/football/{teamId}' }, 'tournament': { 'url': '/football/competition/{tournamentId}' }, 'match': { 'url' : '/football/match/{matchId}', 'sort': { 'criteria': 'alphabetically', 'direction': 'asc' } }, 'configuration': { 'newWindow': false }, 'standings_tournament': { 'url': '/football/competition/{tournamentId}/standings' } } }; if (!document.querySelector('script[src="https://widgets.sportal365.com/loader.bundle.min.js"]')) { window.setTimeout(function () { let scriptCss = document.createElement('link'); scriptCss.href = 'https://www.pulsesports.co.ke/css/sport-widgets.css?v=1668785443'; scriptCss.rel = 'stylesheet'; scriptCss.type = 'text/css'; document.body.appendChild(scriptCss); let scriptTag = document.createElement('script'); scriptTag.src = 'https://widgets.sportal365.com/loader.bundle.min.js'; scriptTag.defer = true; scriptTag.onload = function () { window.setTimeout(function () { new SMPWidgetsLoader(widgetLoaderConfig); }, 200); }; document.head.appendChild(scriptTag); }, 0); } else { new SMPWidgetsLoader(widgetLoaderConfig); }

My Prediction here is that the home side, Benin Arsenal, will compound the woes of Sugar Ball, Fatai Osho, and his Promise Keepers.

Insurance is poised for another solid performance in front of their home fans against an Akwa United that have only managed two points from a possible 12 and sit at the foot of the table.

Akwa United have had nothing to celebrate this season in the NPFL.

Prediction: With two defeats on the road and eight goals conceded in that time, i expect a narrow win for Insurance and that is just because the home side does not score too many goals.

FT: Bendel Insurance 1-0 Akwa United

The other game will see Gombe United host Plateau United. This is a very tricky game to call, but i do think Gombe has shown enough bravery at home so far to take all three points. 

Related content