Enyimba & Sporting Lagos to win – 5 week 1 NPFL predictions

NPFL predictions ahead of week 1 actions across 10 centres are bold but fascinating things to do as far as the Nigerian football league is concerned.

It is no longer news that the 2023/24 NPFL season will kick off on 9 September with the official week 1 fixtures already drawn.

Bendel Insurance took the NPFL predictions by storm as they took the league by storm last campaign, going unbeaten across all 18 games of the regular abridged season.

This time, though, the league will run a full stretch of 38 games each for all 20 teams participating.

With that in mind, there are new faces that have come into the league that gained promotion from the NNL, and these teams can repeat Bendel Insurance's scintillating form of last season, which captured the hearts of many football fans within the shores of Nigeria.

As the thrills, rivalries, great goals and talking points are about to begin, let's delve into the NPFL predictions for week one.

5 NPFL predictions for week 1

Sporting Lagos to win

NPFL newcomers Sporting Lagos will host Gombe United at the Onikan Stadium in Lagos where fans will be excited to see how the Naija Super 8 champions will perform in their first game of the NPFL.

Sporting Lagos have proved themselves during pre-season when they took on the giants in Nigerian domestic football, and will be eager to begin their NPFL history on a winning note at home with our prediction backing them to do so.

Enyimba to win

The defending champions of the NPFL will battle Bendel Insurance in their season opener. This match is a blockbuster clash which most fans are looking forward to.

Enyimba have not tasted victory in four meetings with Bendel Insurance, this time though, the People's Elephants will fancy their chances at recording their first win over the Nigeria FA Cup Champions.

Abia Warriors to win

Abia Warriors will welcome Niger Tornadoes to Umuahia to begin the NPFL campaign. Erasmus Onu's side are poised to begin the season on a good note as they aim to finish in the top four this season.

Fresh from winning the 2023 Tico/Select Pre-season Tournament after a pulsating encounter that kept spectators on the edge of their seats, the Umuahia club will begin the clash with Tornadoes as favourites and we are behind them to take all three points.

Rivers United vs Remo Stars to end in draw

Rivers United will host Remo Stars at Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt. Both teams are very strong, finishing second and third in the league last campaign.

This fixture will be keenly contested as both teams are evenly matched. It is worth mentioning that two of the last three encounters between them ended in draws and it looks likely that a third draw in four games is on the cards here this weekend.

High-scoring affair in Shooting Stars vs Plateau United

Shooting Stars SC (3SC) will play Plateau United in their opening game of the league season. Interestingly, both teams also met in week 1 fixture of last season which was thrilling to say the least.

This fixture last campaign produced six goals in the first leg, and five goals in the return leg; it has traditionally been a high-scoring fixture in the NPFL.

As both teams are set to battle once more this season, we can't expect less goals at all, we're predicting plenty of goals.