Matchday 37 of the Nigeria Premier Football League kicks off at 4pm across 10 centers with the title race, continental qualification battle, Golden Boot chase and relegation survival fight all reaching decisive stages.
After Matchday 36, 360 matches have been played, producing 722 goals at an average of just over two goals per game.
Home advantage has remained one of the defining features of the campaign. Of the 268 victories recorded so far, 226 have come for home teams, while away sides have managed only 42 wins all season.
A total of 91 matches has ended in draws, while travelling teams have suffered 226 defeats, a statistic that highlights the difficulty of picking up points on the road in Nigeria’s topflight.
Enugu Rangers. Photo Credit: Ranger’s media
At the summit, Enugu Rangers lead the standings with 62 points from 36 matches. Their title push has been built on the league’s strongest defensive record, conceding only 25 goals while maintaining a healthy +18 goal difference.
With 43 goals scored, the Flying Antelopes have also established themselves as one of the division’s most effective attacking sides, underlining the balance that has driven their campaign.
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At the opposite end of the table, Bayelsa United and Wikki Tourists remain locked on 40 points, showing just how tight the relegation battle has become with only two rounds remaining.
Elsewhere, Abia Warriors continue to stand out for their impressive away form, recording five wins on their travels one of the best records in the league. Meanwhile, defending champions Remo Stars have struggled defensively, conceding a league-high 45 goals in a dramatic collapse from title winners to relegation contenders.
NPFL Golden Boot race ahead of matchday 37. Photocredit: NPFL on X
Golden Boot race goes down to the wire
Beyond the title battle, the race for the NPFL Golden Boot has developed into one of the season’s most compelling subplots.
Victor Mbaoma forced his way back into contention after scoring his 12th goal of the season in Remo Stars’ 2-1 defeat to Enyimba, a club where he previously enjoyed huge success.
The experienced forward now sits level at the top of the scoring charts alongside Joseph Arumala of Ikorodu City and Uche Collins of Katsina United, with all three players tied on 12 goals.
For Mbaoma, the chase carries extra significance. The 29-year-old is aiming to win a second NPFL Golden Boot after previously claiming the award in 2021 during his spell with Enyimba.
Just behind the leading trio, Godwin Obaje of Rangers, Chidera Michael of Enyimba, and Emeka Obioma of Abia Warriors remain firmly in contention on 11 goals.
Several other players sit on 10 goals, leaving the race completely open heading into the final stretch of the campaign.
With margins tightening at both ends of the table and individual honors also still undecided, Matchday 37 promises to be one of the defining weekends of the season.
Nigeria Premier Football League trophy. Illustration
Matchday 37 Preview and Predictions
Abia Warriors vs Kun Khalifat
Attention in the Southeast will turn to the local derby between Abia Warriors and Kun Khalifat, a clash that could significantly shape both the continental race and the relegation battle.
Abia Warriors saw their continental hopes take a hit following defeat away to Rivers United in Matchday 35. They currently sit sixth on the table with 55 points, two behind the continental places. While mathematically still in the title race, their maximum possible tally of 61 points leaves them relying on an unlikely collapse from teams above them.
Kun Khalifat, meanwhile, have staged one of the league’s strongest survival pushes in recent months. Once rooted to the bottom of the table, the club has picked up 18 points from a possible 24 since February 2026, including a crucial victory over Kano Pillars last time out.
They now sit 16th with 43 points, just outside the relegation zone on goal difference.
Having lost the reverse fixture earlier in the season, Kun Khalifat know every point matters in their survival fight and are expected to battle fiercely until the final whistle.
Prediction: 1-1 | 1-2
El-Kanemi Warriors vs Niger Tornadoes
Another key relegation battle takes center stage in Maiduguri as El-Kanemi Warriors host Niger Tornadoes.
El-Kanemi sit 18th with 43 points after suffering a heavy 3-0 defeat to Barau FC in Kano. With two home games left to play, victory here could prove decisive in keeping their survival hopes alive.
Niger Tornadoes are only one point better off in 15th position with 44 points, meaning defeat could drag them fully into the relegation zone depending on other results.
Prediction: 1-1 | 2-1
Enugu Rangers vs Bendel Insurance
Perhaps the headline fixture of the round takes place at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium where league leaders Enugu Rangers host Bendel Insurance.
For Rangers, the equation is simple: two wins from two games could deliver a ninth NPFL title and move them level with Enyimba as the most successful club in league history.
Standing in their path is a Bendel Insurance side still chasing continental qualification. The Benin club sit fifth with 55 points, just two behind fourth-placed Shooting Stars.
Despite sanctions forcing Rangers to play home games behind closed doors, the Flying Antelopes remain unbeaten at home this season, winning 14 and drawing four of their 18 home matches.
After defeating Enyimba 2-1 at home before claiming another important away win against Bayelsa United in Yenagoa, confidence remains high in Enugu.
For Bendel Insurance, however, this is not just about spoiling the title party — it is an opportunity to edge closer to continental football.
Prediction: 2-0
Kano Pillars vs Warri Wolves
In Kano, Kano Pillars and Warri Wolves face off in another tense survival clash.
Separated by just one point, both teams enter the contest knowing defeat could have major implications.
Warri Wolves will draw confidence from their recent 1-0 victory over Plateau United, while Pillars will rely heavily on their impressive home form, having lost only twice all season in Kano.
The reverse fixture in Ozoro ended goalless.
Prediction: 1-1 | 0-0
Remo stars Champions of NPFL 2025
Remo Stars vs Bayelsa United
The survival battle continues in Ikene where defending champions Remo Stars host Bayelsa United.
Remarkably, Remo Stars find themselves in the relegation zone after a disastrous title defence. With 19 defeats already this season the highest in the league, they sit 17th on 43 points and desperately need victory to stay alive.
Bayelsa United’s situation is even more concerning. Home defeat to Rangers last time out left them 19th with 40 points and running out of time.
Both teams need points urgently, but home advantage could prove decisive for Remo.
Prediction: 3-2
Katsina United vs Ikorodu City
At the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina United welcome one of the league’s most exciting attacking sides, Ikorodu City.
Katsina are one win away from mathematically securing safety and currently sit ninth with 49 points.
Ikorodu City, meanwhile, remain firmly in the title and continental race. Their 41 goals this season are second only to Rangers, and with only four points separating them from the top, they must keep winning to take the race into the final day where they could face Rangers in a decisive showdown.
The reverse fixture in Lagos ended 0-0.
Prediction: 2-2
Kwara United vs Enyimba
At the Kwara State Stadium, Kwara United host record champions Enyimba in a fixture loaded with survival implications.
Kwara remain only four points above the relegation zone and cannot afford further slip-ups after their recent draw with Niger Tornadoes.
Enyimba, meanwhile, have gradually climbed away from danger after spending parts of the season in the bottom four. They currently sit 12th with 46 points but are still only three points clear of relegation.
The Aba giants won the reverse fixture 3-1 earlier in the campaign.
Prediction: 1-1
Nasarawa United vs Plateau United
At the Lafia Township Stadium, Nasarawa United host a resurgent Plateau United side.
Nasarawa are no longer realistically in the title race, but a strong finish could still cap an impressive season. They sit seventh with 53 points and have lost only twice at home all campaign.
Plateau United’s revival under veteran coach Gbenga Ogunbote has been one of the stories of the second half of the season. Since his arrival in January, the team has steadily climbed away from relegation danger and now sits 11th with 47 points.
A point here could move them significantly closer to safety.
Prediction: 1-1
Shooting Stars vs Barau FC
In Ibadan, high scoring Shooting Stars host impressive newcomers Barau FC.
Fresh from an entertaining 3-2 clash against Nasarawa United, Shooting Stars continue their push for continental qualification. They sit fourth with 57 points and know another win would strengthen their position heading into the final day.
Barau FC, meanwhile, have exceeded expectations in their debut NPFL campaign and are close to confirming survival.
Prediction: 3-1
Wikki Tourists vs Rivers United
The final fixture of the weekend could have massive implications in the title race as Wikki Tourists host second-placed Rivers United.
Wikki remains bottom of the table with 40 points and are staring relegation in the face. With only two games left, survival now appears mathematically possible but realistically unlikely.
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Rivers United, however, know this is a must-win game if they are to keep pressure on Rangers heading into the final weekend.
Despite their lofty position, Rivers’ away form has been underwhelming, with only two away wins all season a statistic that could give Wikki some belief.
Still, the visitors may have enough quality to edge a tense contest.
Prediction: 0-1
