Rivers United vs Kwara United Prediction: A win could take the home team to top spot

NPFL week 17 action at Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium will see Rivers United play Kwara United. Heading into this fixture, both sides suffered a defeat in their last matches. While their previous meetings have ended with goalless results, will there be a winner in this one

Rivers United’s unbeaten run came to an end against Rangers International the previous weekend, and they will hope for a better result here. In a game that ended 1-0, Collins Ugwueze's strike in the 16th minute proved to be the difference. However, prior encounters to that defeat saw this team pick up wins over Kano Pillars and Abia Warriors while drawing Remo Stars and Sunshine Stars. This season, from 16 matches, Rivers United accumulated 29 points, the same as first-placed Remo Stars, scoring 15 goals, with 8 conceded. 

Kwara United took on Lobi Stars the previous time out and ended up losing. In a game that ended 1-0, Peter Onah's lone strike was enough to hand this team their second consecutive defeat away from home. However, in their last five games, Kwara United defeated Plateau United, Nasarawa United, and Heartland. In the meantime, the week 13 encounter against Bendel Insurance ended in a 3-1 defeat away from home. With 20 points from 15 matches, Kwara United sit 12th in the NPFL standings, scoring 15 goals and conceding 13. 

I expect tables to turn in this fixture, believing that the two teams will approach this game with winning intent. With the home side in contention for the league, I do not expect them to struggle to score here, as this is a crucial one. While Kwara United have been playing so well, the record on the road has been disappointing. With two teams expected to net, looking at how competitive their offensive lines are, 2-3 multi-goals is a good option.