Sparks will fly as Sporting Lagos get their maiden NPFL fixture with Gombe United underway at the Onikan Stadium in Lagos. The match kicks off at 4 PM on Monday, 2 October 2023.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Sporting Lagos is BACK 🪄
🇳🇬⚽ Enjoy your Independence Day holiday with a historic NPFL clash.
Don't miss out on our NPFL debut!
🆚: Gombe United 🦂
🗓️: Monday, October 2nd
🏟️: Onikan StadiumMatchday tickets on sale here 👇🏾:https://t.co/aovKZZBcR7 pic.twitter.com/CM8FQMvg79
— Sporting Lagos (@SportingLagos) September 28, 2023
Having triumphed in the Naija Super 8 pre-season tournament in July, the newly promoted side will look to mark their first NPFL game with a win over Gombe United.
Meanwhile for the visitors, a good result on the road will be a point of call towards their fight to remain in the league once more this campaign.
Sporting Lagos vs Gombe United probable lineups
The coaches will field players they deem good enough to get them the needed result. Here is how we think both sides will line up.
Sporting Lagos
Goalkeeper: Christian Nwoke
Defenders: Patrick Egeonu, Shegun Daniel, Aliu Salawudeen, Chiemeka Nwokeji.
Midfielders: Henry Ndedi, Emmanuel Odafi, Rivio Ayemwenre, Vincent Akpikpi.
Forwards: Saturday Okon, Junior Lokosa.
Gombe United
Goalkeeper: Itodo Akor
Defenders: Rahman Olarewaju, Alege Abdulquadri, Ahmed Family, Usman Abbas.
Midfielders: Aminu Mohammed, Sadiq Shuaibu, Taiye Yusuf, Sama'ila Bello.
Forwards: Abba Maigari, Frederick Obi.
Sporting Lagos vs Gombe United confirmed lineups
*Lineups will be automatically updated shortly after they're released
Sporting Lagos vs Gombe United predictions
This clash will entertain fans at the Onikan Stadium as both teams search for a first win in the league. This is how we have predicted the game to play out.
Prediction 1: Sporting Lagos to win
Paul Offor's outfit have shown readiness for the big stage; they've proven to be a good side having defeated some top NPFL clubs during the Naija Super 8. Coming up against a Gombe United side that ended the last campaign on the back of three losses in four games, Sporting Lagos who have only lost once when it really mattered in their last five games should nick this one. We backed them to emerge victorious over Gombe United.
Prediction 2: Sporting Lagos to score first
Sporting have taken the lead in their last four games ahead of this clash, while Gombe United have failed to score in their last four games. It's worth mentioning that Gombe United are bad travelers and concede a lot of goals in the league. We are fairly confident in the Onikan side to hit the back of the net first in this game.
Prediction 3: Over 2.5 total goals
Although scoring goals is traditionally difficult in the NPFL; nonetheless, the 2023/24 season has produced goals in the matches that took place on Saturday. Interestingly, Gombe have conceded at least three goals in their last two games on the road and that's one of the reasons why this game will be high-scoring. We're banking on these teams to give fans plenty of goals.
Sporting Lagos vs Gombe United Head-to-Head
Sporting Lagos is a newly promoted team who have not appeared previously in the NPFL. As such, this fixture marks its first head-to-head record when these sides conclude hostilities on Monday evening.
How both teams fared last season
Sporting Lagos finished second in the Southern Conference playoffs, only behind Heartland FC; and for that, both teams gained promotion into the Nigeria Professional Football League. The objective will be to finish above the relegation zone in their first season in the top-flight.
On the other hand, Gombe United finished 7th in Group A of the abridged 2022/23 NPFL season with five points above the dropzone. They'll fight to remain in the league at the end of the season.
Where to watch Sporting Lagos vs Gombe United live
The NPFL match between Sporting Lagos vs Gombe United on Monday evening will be live on the NPFL Live App for fans' streaming pleasure.
This article was most recently revised and updated 4 weeks ago
