Plateau seeks a win to take the NPFL lead
Plateau Utd v Akwa United @Jos International Stadium at 4pm on February 27
Former Heartland FC manager Fidelis Ilechukwu is performing wonders on the board as his side embark on an unbeaten run that has taken his side just above the Nigeria Professional Football League table.
But Sunday’s opponents Akwa United are also on a six-match unbeaten streak which saw them keep three clean sheets and concede three-two goals in their last home game against Dakkada.
United Plateau are one point behind the newspaper leaders, Rivers United, and five points better than their opponents on Sunday. On the final day, they went to Gombe and earned a credible draw which saw Gombe concede for the first time at home.
In Jos, Plateau has won the previous seven NPFL games at Jos Stadium, scoring 21 goals and conceding just three. It sounds like a daunting task for visitors to get anything, but that’s why we love football.
Current form: Utd Plateau [D-W-W-W-W]; Akwa United [W-W-D-D-D]
Face-to-face
04/07/21 NPF Plateau United 0 – 0 Akwa United
20/02/21 NPF Akwa United 1 – 0 Plateau United
01/12/20 NPF Plateau United 0 – 0 Akwa United
21/04/19 NPF Plateau United 3 – 0 Akwa United
23/01/19 NPF Akwa United 2 – 2 Plateau United
Prediction: Plateau United 1 – 0 Akwa United
Will Klopp get the better of a former protege on Sunday?
Chelsea v Liverpool at Wembley Stadium at 5.30pm on February 27
It is impossible that the history of Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel is not intertwined. Both got their big breaks at Borussia Dortmund where they successfully challenged the might of Bundesliga juggernaut Bayern Munich. They are both Germans, known for their innovative training and management methods and for getting the best out of their players.
The only flaw in Klopp’s time at Anfield has been the lack of titles, especially local titles like the Carabao Cup, while Tuchel has been a title-winning machine over the past 13 months, having led Chelsea to four finals. , winning three.
This season has already seen two league draws and the Sunda story will dwell on the No.9s. Roberto Firmino is injured while Diogo Jota is touched and leaves for Liverpool but Chelsea, miss out and clearly lack confidence Romelu Lukaku, who might not even start on Sunday.
How are we going to answer these questions?
Current form: chelsea [W-W-W-W-W]; liverpool [W-W-W-W-W]
Face-to-face
02/01/22 PRL Chelsea 2 – 2 Liverpool
Advertisement
28/08/21 PRL Liverpool 1 – 1 Chelsea
04/03/21 PRL Liverpool 0 – 1 Chelsea
20/09/20 PRL Chelsea 0 – 2 Liverpool
22/07/20 PRL Liverpool 5 – 3 Chelsea
Prediction: Chelsea 1 – 2 Liverpool
Can Napoli find their way back to winning ways?
Lazio v Napoli @Stadio Olimpico @8.45pm on February 27
Another matchday and Napoli have another chance to take the lead in Serie A. Last weekend, both Milan sides played and dropped points before Napoli faced Cagliari, but the Milan side Luciano Spalletti needed a late goal from substitute Victor Osimhen to get a point.
This weekend had evoked the same scenario as both Milan sides again dropped points, meaning the Partenopei are three points behind first-placed AC Milan. But as Napoli extended their Serie A unbeaten streak to seven against Cagliari, they lost outrageously to Barcelona 4-2 on Thursday in the Europa League.
Meanwhile, Lazio are running out of fixtures that will guarantee Champions League fixtures next season and will be ready for revenge for the 4-0 they secured last November at the Armando Maradona. They are just four points behind fourth-placed Juventus but need to start accumulating points to achieve a return to the UCL again.
Current form: Lazio [D-D-L-W-L]; Naples [L-D-D-D-W]
Face-to-face
28/11/21 SEA Napoli 4 – 0 Lazio
22/04/21 SEA Napoli 5 – 2 Lazio
20/12/20 SEA Lazio 2 – 0 Napoli
01/08/20 SEA Napoli 3 – 1 Lazio
21/01/20 COI Napoli 1 – 0 Lazio
Prediction: Lazio 1 – 0 Napoli
Xavi wants to keep the feeling of winning
Barcelona v Athletic Bilbao @Camp Nou @9pm on February 27
Barcelona have gone six games unbeaten since Bilbao inflicted their last defeat, in the Copa del Rey. in their last five matches, Bilbao have gotten the better of Barcelona in two games, both cup matches.
Xavi appears to have the ideal No.9 in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for his fluid attacking formation which sees Barcelona tweaking their multi-passing pattern for anyone looking for either a quick Aubameyang, Adama Traore or Ousmane Dembele and these have reached 15 goals in of their last five games. In the Marcelino de Bilbao, they face a savvy coach who will seek to frustrate and hit on the counter.
Barcelona have regained some form and will seek to retain their Champions League place while Bilbao are also seeking a place in Europe from their current eighth position, five points behind fourth-placed Barcelona.
Current form: Barcelona [W-W-D-D-W]; Bilbao [W-L-D-W-W]
Face-to-face
20/01/22 CDR Bilbao 3 – 2 Barcelona
21/08/21 LAL Bilbao 1 – 1 Barcelona
17/04/21 CDR Bilbao 0 – 4 Barcelona
31/01/21 LAL Barcelona 2 – 1 Bilbao
17/01/21 SUC Barcelona 2 – 3 Bilbao
Prediction: Barcelona 3-1 Athletic Bilbao
Support the integrity and credibility journalism of PREMIUM TIMES
Good journalism is very expensive. Yet only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy and a transparent government.
For free and continued access to the best investigative journalism in the country, we ask that you consider providing modest support to this noble endeavour.
By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you help sustain relevant journalism and keep it free and accessible to everyone.
Make a donation
ANNOUNCEMENT TEXT: To advertise here . Call Willie on +2347088095401…
