As part of the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 18, league leaders Rivers United will travel to face Katsina United on Monday 22nd of December 2025. Below are the preview of the match for both teams and our match prediction.
Match preview
The North based team, Katsina United will fully enter into their home clash against Rivers United enduring a 2025/26 campaign that has been far from straightforward. Unfortunately for the club, they currently sit towards the lower end of the table, struggling to find consistency: in recent rounds, United have alternated between draws and defeats (including a 0-1 loss to Bendel Insurance), rarely finding the net and more often playing to hold onto results rather than applying sustained attacking pressure.
The Nigerian Championship statistics undeniably speak loud for themselves: It has shown that Katsina United has one of the lowest goal-scoring rates in the league—averaging just about 0.9 goals per match—while their defense tends to lose focus, particularly against higher-profile opponents. After 17 matches, the team is 13th in the standings with 22 points.
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Also, the visiting club, Rivers United are one of the top contenders in the NPFL this season. Currently sitting firmly at the top of the table, they have been racking up points with consistent performances, combining attacking efficiency with a well-drilled defense: Rivers United’s average about a goal per game while conceding even less than many of their rivals, amassing 33 points so far.
Statistically, it has shown that in Rivers United last six NPFL matches, they have won three, drawn one, and lost just one, with their defensive discipline and ability to dictate the tempo away from home proving crucial in direct clashes with main competitors.
The above presented statistics is a clear court for today’s fixture, Katsina United are expected to play cautiously, aiming to close down space at the back and capitalize on set-pieces as their main goal-scoring opportunities, meanwhile the Pride of Rivers will look to maintain control and build their attacks patiently, avoiding leaving themselves exposed too early. Maintaining rhythm and clinical finishing will be key for the visitors to avoid a nervy finish.
Possible line-ups
Katsina: Abdullahi, Arigu, Collins, Mubarak, Yallilo, Yusuf, Adikwu, Barau, Clement, Cristopher, Olamilekan
Rivers: Ozoemena, Nsi Edim, Oguntayo, Otaniyi, Sholumade, Zachariah, Duke, Elias, Emekai, Obi, Okon
Prediction
Looking at both team’s tendency to score infrequently but decisively, we’ll say that there won’t be many goals in this game, considering both sides’ solid defensive records. On the note, our prediction is: total under 2.5 goals
