Rivers United vs Heartland Prediction: Rivers will thrash Heartland

Rivers United will play Heartland at Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in round 2 of NPFL encounters. Opening the season, the two teams could not secure a win. Below, I will look at the analysis of this encounter and provide betting opportunities. 

Following a strong performance in their opener, which saw them hold on the road against Bendel, Rivers United will look to get a win this time. In that game, Adeniyi Bamidele was handed a red card in the 51st minute, but this team was able to hold in defense, doing well to make sure that Bendel Insurance had no chance on target. While Rivers United could only accumulate 41 percent of the possession in that game, with only one shot on target, the home team is expected to do better in controlling this encounter as they come in as overwhelming favorites. 

Heartland were dominated in their opening league game against Enyimba and will enter into this one hoping to turn things around. In that game, Heartland did a very good job at halftime, holding Enyimba to a draw. However, Heartland took the lead eight minutes into the second half, with Lawal Suraju giving them the edge. In the meantime, poor defensive play saw Heartland concede three times within nine minutes. Heading into this game, Heartland have struggled with just one win in their last four matches overall, coming against Niger Tornadoes. 

In previous meetings, Heartland have had only one win in this fixture. While looking at the two teams' recent games, Rivers United are in a better position to win. Also, with home turf advantage and Heartland's poor defense line, I do not see this team being stopped from winning each half of this game while scoring many goals.