Heartland vs Enyimba | Betting Tip & Prediction (13/01/21)

2019 NPFL champions Enyimba travel to Heartland on Wednesday hoping to make it three wins from three at the start of the new season. With the hosts having failed to pick up a single point from their opening matches, the emphasis will be on Fatai Osho’s side to go all out for the win.

However, the Nigerian top-flight is never predictable, meaning that the match will likely attract major interest from football betting fans. Ahead of kick-off, we provide a breakdown of the two teams, as well as our top betting tip.

Heartland vs Enyimba Match at 13.01.2021

Heartland have conceded a significant eight goals in their opening three matches this season. While having scored three themselves, Fidelis Ilechukwu’s side remain pointless, having lost against Katsina Utd, Nasarawa United and Plateau United to date. Heartland were still in the game against Plateau at half time, with the score having only been 1-0, however two soft goals added up to another defeat.

A match against rivals Enyimba is perhaps the perfect match to turn things around. Heartland have been hit by the news that they are unable to register new players for the 20/21 NPFL season, which came about as a result of their failure to pay debt surrounding Santos Da Costa Ivo Jorge. The hosts are rock bottom of the NPFL standings, with goal difference separating them with Abia Warriors.

Enyimba come into Wednesday’s clash having recorded back to back 1-0 wins at the start of the season, coming against Abia Warriors and Wikki Tourists. However, having not been at their best in either game, it remains to be seen as to whether the Aba Warriors can improve against Heartland. The visitors have followed up an impressive end to the 2019/20 campaign, where they won four of their last five matches, with a strong start this time round.

Heartland vs Enyimba: Team News

Having taken over as manager back in August 2019, Fidelis Ilechukwu should know his best team by now, however it appears that he is still coming to terms with his playing squad. Samuel Nnoshiri, Bright Onyedikachi and Shedrack Oghali are the players to have scored for Heartland so far this season, however the hosts will be hoping that goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa is not as busy as he has been.

Enyimba could make changes to their starting XI, having played in the CAF Champions League and NPFL over the past 7 days. However, the likes of Augustine Oladapo, Dayo Ojo and Sabirou Bassa-Djeri are all still expected to start. The two goals scored by Enyimba so far this season have come from defender Nabil Yarou, doing so on his NPFL debut, and Kadri Samod Timileyin, with a number of others undoubtedly hoping to open their accounts against Heartland.

Betting Odds

Despite the two teams having enjoyed very different starts to the season, the betting odds from Nigerian betting sites are a lot closer than you would expect. Bet9ja offers Heartland odds of 2.30 to claim all three points, whilst actually pricing Enyimba as the outsiders at 3.00. Meanwhile, those looking to bet on a draw can do so at odds of 2.63 from Bet365.