It’s derby day in Lagos this Sunday as football fans prepare for the first-ever top-flight meeting between newly promoted Inter Lagos and Sporting Lagos.

Mobolaji Johnson Arena, located about 500 metres from the Lagos Lagoon harbour front, will host the blockbuster clash between two of the three teams representing Lagos in the NPFL this season.

Unlike many derbies around the world, this Matchday 3 encounter has no lengthy historical rivalry behind it. Instead, the two Lagos sides will battle for the first bragging rights in what promises to be a fiercely contested local showdown.

Both teams enter the fixture searching for their first win of the season following promotion to the top flight. Inter Lagos have lost their opening two matches and scored just once.

Sporting Lagos also suffered defeat in their opening game, losing to high-flying Doma United, who have won all three of their matches since returning to the NPFL.

The last meeting between Inter Lagos and Sporting Lagos ended in a 1-0 victory for Inter, courtesy of Abdul Rahman Bashir’s seventh-minute goal in the Championship round of the NNL.

Ranchers Bees bank on hat-trick hero

Away from the Lagos derby, Zulfililu Muhammad made headlines last week after becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in the league this season, powering Ranchers Bees to an emphatic 4-0 victory over Abia Warriors.

Ranchers Bees will be counting on the forward to deliver another venomous performance when they visit FC Barau in the first-ever meeting between the two sides.

Both teams have made similar starts to the season, recording one win and one defeat from their opening two matches. Barau, however, boast an impressive home record, having won 11 of their last 13 matches on home soil without defeat.

The Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano is expected to be packed when the two sides go head-to-head on Sunday evening.

Warriors seek redemption against Ikorodu City

Abia Warriors will look to bounce back from their humiliating defeat to Ranchers Bees when they host Ikorodu City at the Aba Stadium.

The Warriors will be eager to return to winning ways and extend their winning run at home against the Oga Boys.

Ikorodu City enter the fixture on the back of a 3-1 victory over Ranchers Bees in their opening match and will be targeting their first away win of the season against a familiar opponent.

Ali Kandil’s Oga Boys could also benefit from the match being played at a neutral venue, with ongoing renovations at Abia Warriors’ home ground in Umuahia forcing the fixture away from their traditional base.

Niger Tornadoes face Plateau United test

Niger Tornadoes will host Plateau United at the Lafia City Stadium, hoping to recover from last week’s defeat to Kano Pillars.

The Ikon Allah are unbeaten in their last 14 home matches and will aim to extend that impressive run to 15 when Gbenga Ogunbote’s men arrive.

Plateau United, however, will draw confidence from their previous visit to Niger Tornadoes, which ended in a 4-0 thrashing. Abdulaz Dalhatu scored a hat-trick in that encounter.

Kwara United, Katsina chase first wins

Kwara United and Katsina United are also searching for their first victories of the season.

The Harmony showed grit in their last home outing, holding Kano Pillars to a 2-2 draw in Ilorin.

However, Plateau United handed the former Federation Cup champions their first defeat of the campaign last week, while Katsina United did not play, with their scheduled opponents involved in continental competition.

Kwara United have enjoyed a strong home record against Katsina, winning their last four meetings on home soil.

Kun Khalifa face stern Bendel Insurance test

Kun Khalifa remain unbeaten this season but are yet to score, having recorded consecutive goalless draws against Abia Warriors and FC Barau.

The Owerri-based side have shown defensive solidity both home and away but face a formidable test against Bendel Insurance.

The Benin Arsenal are notoriously difficult to beat at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, where visiting teams rarely leave without losing or conceding.

Bendel Insurance will look to inflict another defeat on Kun Khalifa at the venue, having beaten them the last time the two sides met there.

Matchday 3 Fixtures

Inter Lagos FC VS Sporting Lagos FC

Barau VS Ranchers Bees

Kwara United VS Katsina Utd PP

Enugu Rangers VS Nasarawa United PP

Rivers Utd VS Warri Wolves

Niger Tornadoes VS Plateau Utd

STANDINGS

Pos Club P W D L F A GD Pts

1 Doma United FC 3 3 0 0 5 0 5 9

2 Barau FC 2 1 1 0 3 1 2 4

3 Kano Pillars FC 2 1 1 0 5 4 1 4

4 Ranchers Bees 2 1 0 1 5 3 2 3

5 Ikorodu City FC 1 1 0 0 3 1 2 3

6 Rivers United FC 1 1 0 0 2 0 2 3

7 Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 3

8 Niger Tornadoes FC 2 1 0 1 4 4 0 3

9 Bendel Insurance FC 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 3

10 Nasarawa United FC 2 1 0 1 2 3 -1 3

11 Plateau United FC 2 1 0 1 1 2 -1 3

12 Kun Khalifat FC 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 2

13 Katsina United FC 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1

14 Rangers International FC 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1

15 Kwara United FC 2 0 1 1 2 3 -1 1

16 Abia Warriors FC 2 0 1 1 0 4 -4 1

17 Warri Wolves 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0

18 Inter Lagos 2 0 0 2 1 3 -2 0

19 Sporting Lagos FC 1 0 0 1 0 2 -2 0

20 Enyimba FC 2 0 0 2 1 4 -3 0

(The Guardian)