Bendel Insurance vs Sporting Lagos Prediction: Struggling Sporting Lagos will lose again

The round 19 NPFL encounter between Bendel Insurance and Sporting Lagos will take place at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium. Now, let's delve into the match previews and formulate a prediction.

Bendel Insurance secured victories in two previous matches against Abia Warriors and Enugu Rangers. Nevertheless, they faced defeats in encounters with Katsina United and Bayelsa United, with one game concluding in a draw against Rivers United. Across these matches, Bendel Insurance scored four goals and conceded the same number. Their average goal per match in the ongoing league season stands at 0.78. Notably, the team struggles to maintain possession, averaging 49.00% in this season.

Sporting Lagos enters this match without a victory in their last five encounters. During this period, they suffered defeats in three matches against Enugu Rangers, Plateau United, and Enyimba. However, they managed to secure positive outcomes against Bayelsa United and Shooting Stars, earning home draws with scores of 1-1 and 2-2, respectively. Across these matches, Sporting Lagos scored three goals while conceding eight. In their away games, they averaged 0.88 goals scored per match and conceded 1. The team faced disciplinary issues, accumulating 23 yellow cards and one red card. Sporting Lagos boasts a strong ball possession record, averaging 50.75% overall in this season.

Despite Sporting Lagos' strong start to the NPFL, they have encountered difficulties, especially in scoring during away matches and securing victories. On the other hand, Bendel Insurance, while not exceptionally strong overall, benefits from the home advantage, which boosts their morale. Considering these factors, I am predicting a home win with minimal goals, as Sporting Lagos may struggle to find the net in this match.