FC Ifeanyi Ubah vs. Wikki Tourist @FC Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium @4pm on Aug.28
The 1-0 away win over Warri Wolves for FC Ifeanyi Ubah gives a perfect backdrop to this meeting. Nikki lead the NPFL table with 50 points to their host’s 46. Eight points separate the first 10 teams on the table so any loss could mean a fall down the standings.
Chijioke Alakwe’s headed goal in the 37th minute was all they needed to get a win in Warri and they are going for a third consecutive win for the first time this season. The club’s team manager, Chidi Nwogu, said, “This club, is a work in progress and all hands are fully on deck to bring success to the team and that is in form of continental ticket, Federation Cup, and League trophy.” If they beat Wikki, it would be a step in that direction.
But Wikki are defiant that this season would be their year and they have proved over the season that they can get results on the road, which makes for a dicey encounter.
Recent Form: FC Ubah [W-W-L-W-D]; Wikki [W-L-W-D-D]
Head to head
24/04/16 NPF Wikki 3 – 0 FC Ifeanyi Ubah
21/10/15 NPF Wikki 2 – 1 FC Ifeanyi Ubah
28/06/15 NPF FC Ifeanyi Ubah 0 – 1 Wikki
20/11/05 NPF FC Ifeanyi Ubah 1 – 1 Wikki
18/06/05 NPF Wikki 2 – 0 FC Ifeanyi Ubah
Prediction: FC Ifeanyi Ubah 2-0 Wikki
Tottenham vs. Liverpool @White Hart Lane @12:30pm on Aug.27
Another match where bragging rights will be determined. After the opening 4-3 win at the Emirates, Liverpool have slumped 2-0 to Burnley and their third successive away game [Anfield is undergoing some renovations] makes this game a humdinger in just the third week of the new season.
Mauricio Pochettino knows that a win would kickstart another title charge while for Jurgen Klopp, another loss could see early question marks on his recruitment. Said Mane is back and should start with Daniel Sturridge leading the line. Pochettino could respond with a 4-4-2 formation to play on Liverpool’s seeming defensive frailties. Expect a very exciting match.
Recent Form: Tottenham [W-D-W-L-L]; Liverpool [W-L-W-L-W]
Head to head
02/04/16 PRL Liverpool 1 – 1 Tottenham
17/10/15 PRL Tottenham 0 – 0 Liverpool
10/02/15 PRL Liverpool 3 – 2 Tottenham
31/08/14 PRL Tottenham 0 – 3 Liverpool
30/03/14 PRL Liverpool 4 – 0 Tottenham
Average age of squad: Tottenham 24.1; Liverpool 24.2
Prediction: Tottenham 2-2 Liverpool
Lazio vs. Juventus @Stadio Olimpico @5pm on Aug.27
Lazio won their first game – a thrilling 4-3 win away to Atalanta but they can expect the visit of Juventus to show and teach the young Aquile side the art of defending. Lazio have not beaten Juventus in Serie A in 13 years and have not even scored against the consecutive five-time league champions.
Recent Form: Lazio [W-D-W-L-W]; Juventus [W-W-D-W-W]
Head to head
20/04/16 SEA Juventus 3 – 0 Lazio
20/01/16 COI Lazio 0 – 1 Juventus
04/12/15 SEA Lazio 0 – 2 Juventus
08/08/15 SUC Juventus 2 – 0 Lazio
20/05/15 COI Juventus 2 – 1 Lazio
Average age of squad: Lazio 24.4; Juventus 27.8
Prediction: Lazio 1-3 Juventus
Athletic Bilbao vs. Barcelona @7:15pm @San Mames on Aug.28
In the first match of the season, Barcelona scored six so the question is definitely how many they will score at the Cathedral? Or how many goals would Luis Suarez score after bagging three on matchday 1? Already this looks like a mismatch with Bilbao looking and trying to mitigate their loss with a hands-on defensive policy.
Recent Form: Bilbao [L-L-D-W-L]; Barcelona [W-W-W-W-L]
Head to head
27/01/16 CDR Barcelona 3 – 1 Athletic Bilbao
20/01/16 CDR Athletic Bilbao 1 – 2 Barcelona
17/01/16 PRD Barcelona 6 – 0 Athletic Bilbao
23/08/15 PRD Athletic Bilbao 0 – 1 Barcelona
17/08/15 SUC Barcelona 1 – 1 Athletic Bilbao
Average age of squad: Bilbao 26.6; Barcelona 26.2
Prediction: Bilbao 0-4 Barcelona
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