Action will continue this week in the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season with potentially explosive Matchday 35 fixtures that would reshape the table standings.
The usual suspects like Rivers United and Enugu Rangers are among the clubs contending seriously for the title. Unfortunately, other heavyweights like Kano Pillars, Enyimba, and Remo Stars who should be among the contenders for the 2026 NPFL title are in the other half of the table struggling to keep their positions in the Nigerian topflight.
As the 20 clubs go into this weekend’s fixtures, the defending champions Remo Stars who fell 1-2 to Barau FC last week must win their home match against Tornadoes to keep hopes of survival alive just as Kano Pillars who host table-toppers Rivers United at the Sani Abacha Stadium must avoid another home defeat to remain on course to play top flight football next season.
Weekend Trust Sports, therefore, previews all the week 35 matches, highlighting head-to-head records and possible outcomes of these encounters that would be decided by fine margins and grit.
Wikki Tourists vs Bendel Insurance
These two teams recorded victories last weekend. While Wikki Tourists produced the only away win in week 34 in Yenagoa, Insurance hosted and edged Abia warriors 1-0. So, both clubs are going into this fixture highly motivated to get a favourable result.
It is indeed a high-stakes encounter that will see both teams fighting at opposite ends of the table. Tourists are neck-deep into relegation waters in 18th position with 40 points while Insurance are 7th on the table with 49 points.
Therefore, the Tourists desperately need a win to escape the bottom four. In their last meeting on November 30, 2025, Insurance secured a dominant 3-0 win in Benin City.
Plateau United vs Kun Khalifat
While Plateau United are comfortably mid-table, Kun Khalifat who seem to have found their killer instincts belatedly, are currently rooted to the bottom of the table.
However, the “Pride of Imo” have shown recent fighting spirit, securing back-to-back wins against Nasarawa United and Warri Wolves to prove that they are down but not completely out.
This makes them tricky visitors that Plateau United must handle with care as they try to keep their top-three finish alive.
This is only the second meeting between the two sides. In their first-ever tie in the Nigerian topflight on November 30, 2025, the debutants pulled off a surprise 2-0 victory in Owerri.
El-Kanemi Warriors vs 3SC
These historic clubs in Nigerian league are fighting for a top-half finish as the curtains gradually fall on the season.
The Warriors of Maiduguri who only recently ended a six-game winless run with a hard fought 1-0 victory over Nasarawa United are currently 14th in the standings.
Although they have a game in hand, El-Kanemi are just three points clear of the relegation zone and must avoid defeat to one of their arch-rivals to keep their survival hopes alive.
Meanwhile, the “Oluyole Warriors” sit in 5th place and are aiming for at least a continental ticket. In the reverse fixture, they edged El-Kanemi Warriors 1-0.
Kwara United vs Barau FC
This is a clash between the old and new in the NPFL. While Barau FC are in their debut season, Kwara United remain one of the most regular clubs in the Nigeria topflight.
“The Afonja Warriors” are occupying 16th place on the table with 40 points while their opponents who secured a slim 2-1 victory at home over reigning champions Remo Stars last week are 9th in the table with 46 points.
Considering their precarious position in the table, this weekend’s fixture is a must win for the “Afonja Warriors.”
They will also be aiming to extract their pound of flesh from Barau FC who defeated them 3-2 in the reverse fixture in Kano.
Remo Stars vs Tornadoes
Going into this crucial late-season fixture, both teams find themselves in the bottom half of the table.
Most football pundits are still struggling to understand what the defending champions, Remo Stars, with their pedigree in the NPFL, are doing in 19th position on the table with a paltry 40 points.
Almost one year ago, on April 27, 2025, Remo Stars defeated Niger Tornadoes 1-0 to officially clinch their first-ever NPFL title.
However, this season’s meeting has drastically different stakes, as Remo Stars are fighting to avoid relegation while Tornadoes in 12th place are guaranteed safety.
Despite their recent struggles, Remo Stars are highly favoured to win this fixture.
Without a doubt, this “Oriental derby” between two of the most illustrious clubs in Nigerian football comes with intense rivalry and fireworks.
This rivalry remains one of the most intense in Nigerian football. Last season, Enyimba managed to defeat Rangers three times across all competitions, including the league and pre-season.
However, in the current season, Rangers are occupying the 2nd position with 56 points, while the “Peoples Elephants” who have struggled with consistency are in 13th position with only 43 points.
Although the odds are against them, Enyimba are coming into this contest fresh from a dominant 3-0 victory over Katsina United.
Rangers are favourites but any contest between the two neighbours is hard to predict.
Katsina United vs Bayelsa
Both teams are coming into this fixture after painful defeats last weekend. While Katsina United suffered a crushing 0-3 loss at Enyimba, Bayelsa United were stunned 1-0 at home by relegation-strugglers Wikki Tourists.
This match-up has been remarkably consistent, with the last five encounters all ending in 1-1 draws.
However, Katsina United in 10th place with 46 points are favoured to beat Bayelsa who are languishing in 17th position with 40 points.
Abia Warriors vs Ikorodu City
Both teams are currently in the top tier of the NPFL standings, making the week 35 match a crucial one for continental qualification and title race ambition.
While City recently leapfrogged Abia Warriors to third position on the table, the Umuahia based team in fourth needs victory to go level on points with their visitors.
Both sides have players- Emeka Obioma (Abia) and Ayomide Arumala (City)- currently contending for the NPFL Golden Boot.
Pillars vs Rivers United
These are two heavyweights in the NPFL but this fixture is a “David vs Goliath” battle in terms of the table standings, with both teams fighting at opposite ends as the season enters its final stretch.
Rivers United currently sit at the top of the table with 58 points but the once dreaded Pillars are in 15th place with 42 points, hovering with just two points above the relegation zone.
A win for Pillars is critical for them to escape the “relegation quagmire.”
However, it promises to be a feisty contest as Rivers United are also targeting a win to ward off Rangers who are breathing down their necks.
This is a match-up of last week’s losers. Both sides suffered defeats on the road and are aiming for immediate rebound.
While El-Kanemi Warriors beat Nasarawa United 1-0, Kun Khalifat thrashed Wolves 3-0 in Owerri.
In their most recent meeting this season on November 30, 2025, Warri Wolves won 1-0 at home.
Nasarawa United are gradually losing ground in the race for a continental ticket but they still have enough venom to hurt Wolves in this fixture.