NPFL: Rivers United's game against Ikorodu City is the star as Matchday 30 begins on Saturday
The race for the title and survival in the 2025–26 NPFL season intensifies this weekend as the league enters Matchday 30 with just eight games remaining.
The star fixture comes up on Monday evening in Lagos, where fifth-placed Ikorodu City (45 points) host table-toppers Rivers United (52 points) at the Teslim Balogun Stadium. The reverse fixture in Port Harcourt ended goalless, but the stakes are far higher this time.
Rivers United lead the standings, but their grip is fragile with Rangers International just two points behind on 50. A defeat or draw in Lagos could cost Finidi George’s men the summit if Rangers overcome Kwara United in Abeokuta. The Pride of Rivers were beaten 2-1 by Shooting Stars in Ibadan in a rescheduled fixture on Thursday, and another slip could weaken their title push.
Ikorodu City, meanwhile, are chasing a continental place but are winless in its last four matches. Another poor result could push them out of the top five, especially with Shooting Stars sixth on 44 points waiting to capitalise when they host Wikki Tourists in Ibadan.
In Aba, attention will also be on the clash between struggling Enyimba and resurgent Plateau United. The People’s Elephant are enduring a difficult campaign and sits in the relegation zone in 17th position with 33 points. Victory at home is crucial if they are to keep alive hopes of escaping the drop.
Plateau United, however, arrive in good form under new coach Gbenga Ogunbote. The Peace Boys have climbed to 10th with 39 points and could move further up the table with a positive result.
Elsewhere, Bendel Insurance will attempt to bounce back from their 3-1 defeat to Rivers United when they host relegation-threatened Kun Khalifat in Benin City today. The Edo Arsenal are seventh with 41 points and drew 1-1 in the first meeting between the sides in Owerri.
Barau FC welcome Abia Warriors, seeking a response after losing 1-0 in the Kano derby to Kano Pillars. The Maliya Boys have slipped to 12th on 37 points, while Abia Warriors sit fourth with 46 points after their earlier 2-0 victory over Barau in Umuahia.
In Maiduguri, El Kanemi Warriors will look to avenge their first-round defeat when they host Katsina United. The Borno Army are eighth with 41 points and still eye a place in the top six after narrowly losing 2-1 to Wikki Tourists in Jos despite taking the lead.
A South-South derby will unfold in Yenagoa, where Bayelsa United host Warri Wolves at the Samson Siasia Stadium. Bayelsa United are 16th with 34 points, just a point above the drop zone, while Warri Wolves are more comfortable in ninth with 39 points.
Niger Tornadoes will attempt to complete a season double over Kano Pillars in Minna after winning the reverse fixture 2-0 in Kano. Another defeat could drag Pillars closer to the relegation zone.
Reigning champions Remo Stars find themselves in a surprising relegation battle. The Sky Blue Stars recently replaced Daniel Ogunmodede with Usman Abd’Allah and must defeat third-placed Nasarawa United (47 points) to revive their survival hopes.
Kwara United also face a crucial encounter against in-form Rangers International in Abeokuta. The Harmony Boys are 18th with 32 points despite securing their first away win of the season in Katsina last weekend. Rangers, second on 50 points, have lost only once in their last 10 matches and are unbeaten in their last seven, making them formidable opponents.
Back in Ibadan, Shooting Stars, sixth with 44 points, host Wikki Tourists, aiming for a win that could push them closer to the continental places while also avenging their 2-0 first-round defeat.
NPFL Matchday 30 Fixtures
Insurance vs. Kun Khalifat
Barau FC vs. Abia Warriors
El Kanemi vs. Katsina United
Enyimba vs. Plateau United
Bayelsa Utd vs. Warri Wolves
Tornadoes vs. Kano Pillars
Remo Stars vs. Nasarawa
Kwara United vs. Rangers
Shooting Stars vs. Wikki
