The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) is back in, and this weekend's fixture promises to be a thrilling encounter as Plateau United takes on Heartland FC.
Both teams are looking to make their mark early in the season, and this Plateau United vs Heartland clash at the Jos Road Stadium on Sunday is set to be a spectacle worth watching.
Contrasting season openers
In the opening fixtures of the season, these two teams had contrasting results. Plateau United, led by manager Mbwas Mangut, suffered a 2-1 defeat in Ibadan against Shooting Stars.
This weekend in the #NPFL
Match day 02
▫️A Northern Derby.
▫️Two old rivals clash in Benin city.
▫️Two top 6 teams from last season clash in Lafia. #NPFL24 pic.twitter.com/v190OO0Pm7
— NPFL News 🇳🇬 (@NPFL_News) October 4, 2023
It was Mangut's managerial debut for the Peace Boys, and they'll be eager to bounce back in front of their home fans.
On the other hand, Heartland FC staged a dramatic comeback to secure a 2-2 draw at home against Lobi Stars.
This marked Heartland's return to the top flight after a successful stint in the Nigeria National League (NNL) last season.
Their resilience and determination in the opener showcased their potential in the NPFL.
Plateau United vs Heartland: Head-to-Head history
Looking at their recent encounters, Plateau United and Heartland FC have had competitive clashes.
In their last five matches, Plateau United has secured two wins, Heartland FC has won two, and one match ended in a draw.
The most recent encounter in April 2022 saw Heartland FC emerge victorious with a 1-0 scoreline.
This history suggests that both teams have the ability to compete at a high level, making this upcoming match even more intriguing.
Plateau United vs Heartland confirmed lineups
*Lineups will be automatically updated shortly after they're released
Plateau United vs Heartland: Predictions for the clash
As we look forward to this exciting NPFL showdown, here are three predictions for the Plateau United vs. Heartland FC match:
Plateau United to Maintain Home Dominance: Plateau United has shown remarkable resilience at home, having not lost in 21 of their last 22 Premier League home games.
This strong home record could be a decisive factor in their favor.
Therefore, a safe bet would be to predict that Plateau United will not lose this match.
Goals Expected from Plateau United: Plateau United has displayed their attacking prowess by scoring in each of their last 22 home games.
Additionally, they have found the back of the net in their last 15 league matches overall.
Given their goal-scoring form, betting on Plateau United to score over 0.5 goals in this game seems like a reasonable choice.
Heartland FC to Find the Net: Heartland FC has been consistent in their scoring, netting goals in 13 of their last 14 games.
While they face a tough opponent in Plateau United, they have the potential to make their mark.
Betting on Heartland FC to score over 0.5 goals could be a valuable wager for those seeking to capitalize on their scoring trend.
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 weeks ago
