There is a lot of excitement around the Nigeria Premier Football League as it gets underway this weekend across the country.
Shooting Stars vs Plateau United will be held at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan on match day one of the 2023/24 NPFL season.
This match kicks off at 4PM West Africa Standard Time on Saturday and will also be available for fans to watch live via the new NPFL app.
🚨BREAKING: Five(5) games available to watch on the #NPFL Live app this opening weekend for FREE!
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Shooting Stars vs Plateau Utd – Live
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Katsina Utd v Kwara Utd – Live… pic.twitter.com/IyAM1vPMoF— MikeThePundit (@Mike_ThePundit) September 29, 2023
It is just the start of the new season, but Shooting Stars have prepared excellently. They won one of the preseason tournaments, beating Remo Stars on their way to that cup success.
Meanwhile, coach Gbenga Ogunbote is still with the side and it seems they have done some credible work in terms of recruitment.
On the other hand, Plateau United are starting afresh after the exit of Fidelis Ilechukwu who is now with Rangers.
As seen often in the NPFL, a number of players like Austin Opara, Kazeem Ogunleye and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi all left with the former gaffer and his replacement – Mbwas Mangut – has a lot of work to do.
Shooting Stars vs Plateau United probable lineups
Here are our probable lineups for this Nigeria Premier Football League match:
Shooting Stars
Goalkeeper: Darlintin Ovunda
Ghali Falke, Aleem Adebayo, Alex Aghahowa, Aniyikaye Adeleye, Adelowo Gbolagade, Akpan Joshua, Douglas Achiv, Malomo Taofeek, Daddy Abdulrahman, Anayo Ogbonna
Plateau United
Goalkeeper: Suraj Ayeleso
Abaa Musa, Daniel Itodo, Ibrahim Abubakar, Chris Nwaeze, Yakabu Adams, Chappy Jude, Uche Onwuasonaya, Charles Henlong, Sunday Anthony, Izuchukwu Chimezie, Jackson Eru,
Shooting Stars vs Plateau United confirmed lineups
*Lineups will be automatically updated shortly after they're released
Shooting Stars vs Plateau United predictions
This clash is a repeat of last season’s first game. So there might not be clarity as per what to expect yet, but on the basis of their preparations, one can make some deductions. Here are our three predictions for the match.
Prediction 1: Shooting Stars win
This match-up looks quite tight and there is no clear favourite going into their 11th meeting since 2010. Interestingly, none of these teams have won away from home in this fixture in that period. Shooting won 3-2 here last season and we think they can do it again.
Prediction 2: Shooting Stars to score
Shooting Stars took four points from this fixture last season, playing out a 3-3 draw in the season opener before a 3-2 win over the Peace Boys in Ibadan.
They have scored in each of the past five home meetings against Plateau United since 2010. Additionally, they have also scored in seven of their past eight home NPFL games.
Prediction 3: Over 1.5 Total Goals
Both teams have scored each time Shooting Stars host this game. Although Plateau United won on the road at El Kanemi Warriors on the final day of last season, Shooting Stars should be able to still contain them. It is a match that should produce at least two goals.
Shooting Stars vs Plateau United recent form
Shooting Stars
Shooting Stars did not lose any home game in the NPFL last season and they finished the season with a goalless draw against Enyimba. 3SC do have a trophy from their preseason preparations and look a bit confident going into this one.
Plateau United
The Peace boys had a lot of exits last season and this campaign might not start as expected. The Jos side made it to the semis of the Federation Cup but not much can be said of their preparations leading to this campaign.
Shooting Stars vs Plateau United Head-to-Head
This will be their 11th meeting since 2010. During that time Shooting Stars have claimed three wins, while Plateau United have won four times, while three games have ended in a draw.
This article was most recently revised and updated 12 months ago
