Rivers United the Overwhelming Favourites in Sunshine Stars Fixture

All eyes will be on the blockbuster clash between the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) defending champions Rivers United and Sunshine Stars at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan Stadium in Lagos in a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Super Six playoff fixture.

The oil-rich State club Rivers United are aiming to defend their NPL crown, while the Sunshine Stars of Akure are looking to clinch their first NPL title in history. Who will come out on top in 90 minutes? We'll wait and see.

Sunshine Stars vs Rivers United Preview

Sunshine Stars

𝙈 𝘼 𝙏 𝘾 𝙃 𝘿 𝘼 𝙔 !
We are up against the Pride of Rivers today on match day one of the #Super6

🆚️ @RiversUnitedFC
🏟 Mobolaji Johnson (Onikan), Lagos
🏆 NPFL23
⌚️ 4pm#SUNRIV pic.twitter.com/CHVOkExzs2

— Sunshine Stars FC (@SunshineFCAkure) June 3, 2023

Edith Agoye-led Sunshine Stars progressed into the NPFL Super Six playoffs after finishing 3rd in the abridged Group B NPFL table. Anything other than a win in their penultimate game of the season would have seen the Akure club out of the playoffs, but a convincing 3-0 win over Dakkada was enough for them to finish level on points with Abia Warriors.

Sunshine Stars have picked up four wins, three draws, and three losses in their last ten games. They're not as strong as Rivers United on paper but can spring a surprise. This match will prove how ready they are to clinch their first NPL title.

Rivers United

✊ 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛𝘿𝘼𝙔

🆚 Sunshine Stars
🕟 4.30pm (NIG)
🏟️ Mobolaji Johnson Arena Lagos State
🏆 NPFL Championship play-off (Super 6) pic.twitter.com/NllI6PggG6

— Rivers United FC (@RiversUnitedFC) June 3, 2023

Rivers United are favourites to win the playoffs this season. While they'll be up against the best teams in the league, they're expected to start the playoffs on a good note. They qualified top of Group B abridged NPL table.

Stanley Eguma has overseen six consecutive games without a defeat for the Pride of Rivers. They've lost just one of their last ten NPL games, winning five and drawing four. They'll be looking to build on their current unbeaten run as they take on the Sunshine Stars.

Sunshine Stars vs Rivers United Predictions

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1st Prediction: Rivers United to Win

Rivers United are in good form heading into the NPFL Super Six, winning four games in six. They've played more games this season than any other Nigerian side, and their wealth of experience should see them go past this Sunshine Stars side. Notwithstanding, Sunshine Stars have been a tough opponent for Rivers United, as they're ahead of Eguma's side in H2H. Still, we are confident that the defending champions will triumph in this encounter.

2nd Prediction: Rivers United to Score First

Our second prediction is Rivers United to draw the first blood. The two meetings between them in the regular season have seen the Pride of Rivers put their noses in front first. The game will be tough for both sides, but we feel Eguma's team will hit the back of the net first in this encounter as they begin their playoffs campaign on a high note.

3rd Prediction: Rivers United to Lead at Half-time

This game is the perfect opportunity for the defending champions to send a message to the rest of the teams about their intentions. Moreover, they're aiming to be the first team to defend their crown since Kano Pillars did it in the 2014 season. Having won at half-time in the last two meetings with the Sunshine Stars, we think Rivers United will lead the game going into half-time.

Head-to-Head Records

The head-to-head records for the teams show Sunshine Stars with five wins and Rivers United with three wins. They have played five draws in that 13-game stretch.