A match in the fifth round of the Nigerian league is set for Wednesday at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, where Rangers International will face Abia Warriors. Betting on goals appears promising for this encounter.
Match preview
The “Flying Antelopes” have had an inconsistent run lately, with wins, draws, and losses. They recently drew 2-2 against Vikki Tourist but lost 0-1 to Kano Pillars. They secured their first win in three games this past weekend, edging Katsina United 1-0 at home.
Despite their mixed results, Rangers are a tough opponent at home, boasting a strong defense that has allowed the fewest goals in the league. Their challenge lies in the attacking third, as they often miss key scoring chances.
Abia Warriors have also shown varied results. They experience a mix of impressive wins and unexpected losses, and they have yet to draw this season. With a disciplined, defense-first approach, they generally don’t concede more than one goal per game. However, they struggle to maintain an effective attack while playing away.
Their defense has been solid, with three consecutive clean sheets, including a 1-0 win against Kwara last weekend. This performance has lifted them to third place in the Nigeria Premier League standings.
Probable lineups
- Rangers International: Austin Opara, Evans Ogbonna, Godwin Obaje, Lucky Jimoh, Oputa Chibueze, Iwundu Chidozie, Ikechukwu Mgbemena, Igwe Pius, Ugwok Ugochukwu, Chidiebere Nwobodo (c), Adebayo Wahid
- Abia Warriors: Oda Okemuite, Shedrack Asiegbu, Suraj Lawal, Fatai Abdullahi, Paul Samson, Sandy Megwo, Innocent Gabriel, Emeka Obioma, Somiari Alalibo, Jubrin Faiz, Kunle Adeleke
Match facts and head-to-head
- Last season, both teams won at home, each by a score of 1-0
- The “Both teams to score” bet was successful in two out of five matches
- The “Over 2.5 goals” bet was successful in two of the last five meetings
Prediction
Bookmakers slightly favor the hosts, although the visitors come in strong. Based on head-to-head data and current trends, a good bet would be “Under 2.5 goals” at odds of 1.60.