The Nigeria Premier Football League enters matchday 9 this weekend across match centres, with Rivers United, Enyimba, Inter Lagos, and the Northern Derby among the talking points.

Rivers United will target a win against Barau to momentarily go top of the table as Enugu Rangers resume continental duty on Sunday. The Flying Antelopes will host MC Alger in the first leg of the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League in Abeokuta.

Inter Lagos have a new coach after Shakiru Giwa’s departure. The newcomers are bottom of the league and will hope for a fresh start with the appointment of former Sporting Lagos gaffer Olusanjo Olutayo as interim coach.

The Lagos-based side welcome Nasarawa United at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Sunday as coach Olutayo’s interim era begins.

Kano Pillars are desperate for a win. Daniel Ogunmodede’s Masu Gida are also in a winless run and will hope to bounce back against Katsina United in the Northern Derby at the Sani Abacha Stadium.

Rivers United v Barau

The Pride of Rivers head into matchday 9 hoping to kill two birds with one stone: go top of the table momentarily and extend their unbeaten start to the league to nine matches. Barau are winless in three but face a difficult task against one of the league favourites. Rivers United have won all their home matches so far this season and have also kept a clean sheet. Coach Finidi George’s side won the last time they visited the Kano-based club and will hope to win again and keep the clean sheet intact.

Kano Pillars v Katsina

This is arguably the biggest match of the weekend as the Northern Derby takes centre stage at the Sani Abacha Stadium. Kano Pillars are yearning for a win to end their five-game winless run, while the visitors go into the derby with a level of confidence after beating Enyimba 4-2 last week. Kano Pillars have won the last seven meetings between both sides at the venue and will hope to continue the trend on Sunday evening. A win for Pillars will take them above the rivals in the league standings, while a loss could drag them to the bottom half of the table.

Plateau United v Sporting Lagos

Plateau United put an end to Kano Pillars’ seven-game unbeaten run last week with an emphatic 4-0 win at the New Jos Stadium. The hosts take on Sporting Lagos at the same venue with confidence of repeating the same result. However, coach Jeffrey Buter’s boys have proven to be giant killers this season with a win over Enyimba in Aba and a point off Kano Pillars away from home. The Tech Boys ended their three-game winless run on Sunday after coming from a goal down to beat Bendel Insurance. Sporting Lagos will hope to avoid defeat against another top team in the league when both teams face off on Sunday evening.

Enyimba v Warri Wolves

It hasn’t been the best of a start for the nine-time champions of the Nigeria Premier Football League. Just when the Aba Elephant thought they had found their rhythm (after losing their opening four matches of the season) with a point against Kano Pillars and back-to-back wins over Plateau United and Shooting Stars, Katsina United dealt them another blow last week.

Warri Wolves haven’t had the best of a start as well, losing four of their opening eight matches with only three wins. However, Hassan Abdallah’s side, on the back of the win over Inter Lagos, will look to get a positive outcome against Enyimba.

Warri Wolves also head into the tie unbeaten against Enyimba in their last five meetings, with two consecutive wins and three draws.

Enugu Rangers are on top of the league with 17 points, although that might change if Rivers United get a win over Barau. Plateau United are in third place with 14 points, while Doma are in fourth spot without a point.

Ikorodu City will seek to get their first away win of the season at Nasarawa United. The Oga Boys have two losses and draws on the road so far. Nasarawa United are undefeated at home with two wins and two draws.

Kun Khalifa, Ranchers Bees, Enyimba and Inter Lagos occupy the bottom of the league, respectively.