Rivers United host Jigawa Golden Stars in the top flight for the first time since 20th January 2020 on Sunday, with just two points and three places separating the two sides in the Nigeria Professional Football League table.

The visitors head to the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium sitting 11th in the table with 17 points from 13 matches and with a game more over their hosts, who occupy the 7th position with 19 points.

The last time Rivers United welcomed Jigawa Golden Stars to Port Harcourt for a top-flight meeting was in 2012 as they overcame their visitors 2-1.

The 'Pride of Rivers' brilliant start to the season hit a brick wall with back-to-back defeats against Warri Wolves and Akwa United but a 1-1 draw in Jos against Plateau United in their last match may have set the Port Harcourt side back on track.

Four of Rivers United's next five league games come against teams currently below them in the table, including FC IfeanyiUbah and MFM FC in their next two after Jigawa Golden Stars, while they also have a double-header against Dakada FC coming up in April.

*Rivers United team news*

Coach Stanley Eguma will be keen to focus on the positives, though, and there are plenty of those when you isolate Rivers United's home form, with the ,'Pride of Rivers' unbeaten in their last six NPFL games at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, stretching back to December 2020.

Indeed, Rivers United have conceded just a goal on home turf this season, and another clean sheet this weekend would see them keep three in a row at home.

Hear him:

"The spirit in camp now is high, and I believe that we are back on track and we will take it from there to forge forward to where we belong."- Stanley Eguma

*Jigawa Golden Stars team news*

Jigawa Golden Stars have won five and drawn 2 of their 13 games this season, and another victory on Sunday would see them secure their second away victory.

Jigawa Golden Stars are certainly capable of pouring more misery on Rivers United, yet they are equally capable of falling to another defeat and their inconsistency as far as results are concerned is laid out bare in the NPFL table.

The 'Gaint Killers' have won 5 and lost 6 of their 13 outings so far, as well as scoring 9 goals and conceding as many at the other end. 

Whatever the result, Jigawa GS are rarely dull, and the chance to move a point clear of Rivers United at this stage of the campaign would be warmly welcomed for the club.

*Rivers United NPFL Stats*

Form team: D L L W L W

Last 6 matches stats

6 Matches, 2 Wins, 1 Draws, 3 Losses

5 Goals scored

Average of 0.83 goals scored per game

Overall matches played this season

12 Matches, 6 Wins, 1 Draw, 5 Losses

13 Goals scored

Average of 1.08 goals scored per game

Jigawa Golden Stars NPFL Stats

Form team: D L W L W L

Last 6 matches stats

6 Matches played, 2 Wins, 1 Draw, 3 Losses

2 Goals scored

Overall matches played this season

13 Matches played, 5 Wins, 2 Draws, 6 Losses

9 Goals scored this season

Average of 0.69 goals scored per game

*Head-2-Head Record:*

Both teams have played 3 matches against each other

Rivers United FC won 1 match. 

Jigawa Golden Stars won 1 match. 

1 match ended in a draw. 

On average in matches against each other, both teams have scored a 3.00 goals per Match.

*HEAD-TO-HEAD STATS:*

Jigawa GS 1-1 Rivers United (20 Jan 2020)

Jigawa GS 3-1 Rivers United (2 Jun 2012)

Rivers United 2-1 Jigawa GS (29 Feb 2012)