MD1 brought completely opposite fortunes to both teams. While Cubs blew a 2-0 lead to lose, Guns overturned a 2-0 deficit within the first half and ended up winning 4-3. Cubs will be desperate to make amends and pick up their first points of the season against a team they have still not lost to in three meetings.

This is a game between two tactically astute managers – Coach Deco of Cubs and Coach Ifedotun of Guns. Expect a lot of in-game tweaks from the sidelines when these two teams, with rich histories, lock horns. Quddus Lawal, the Guns star of MD1, will once again be key to unlocking a Cubs defence that lacked staying power. The Guns side is physically menacing, with Skarra and Ariyo upfront.

Expect Cubs to sit back and look to hit Guns on the counter through Clamzee and Dimeji, while Guns make the most of their aerial advantage. Will Guns finally get a win against Cubs? We will find out at MD2

History suggests that Raineri are favourites in this tie against The Royals, especially since the last two games between both teams have been won by The Ghosts. In the other meeting between them, Royals won. However, that is so long ago and Raineri were a different beast at the time.

Royals are still basking in the manner of their comeback on MD2, led by a masterful performance by maestro Chizzy who was directly involved in all three of their goals against reigning champions Dannaz FC.

What can we expect? A fierce game. In the end, it could come down to who has a better game between the x-factor players of both teams – Tomisin of Raineri and Chizzy of Royals. This is a game that will definitely bring goals, and of course, it will involve last season’s top scorer – Oliseh – who has already opened his account for the season. His delicate chip started Raineris comeback on MD1 against Cubs.

Key Battle

Royals might need Acrobatic Sly to be at his best as well. The man who returned from his impressive loan spell with Guns, did not have the best of games at MD1. He will be looking to fix that by showing the real level he is known for in this game that promises to be very tough. MD2 will serve us.

Following their loss against two-time champions Saints FC at MD 1, after a really flat performance, SociaLiga new boys Alimosho FC will be looking to make amends when they go up against Citizens FC on Saturday. Citizens did not take part in MD1 so this is their season opener. History suggests a negative – they have never won their opening game of any SociaLiga season.

Last season, Citizens began the season with three straight defeats and just one goal in those games. Yet, somehow, the made a comeback unprecedented in SociaLiga history by sneaking into the playoffs on the final day after taking 7 points from their remaining 9. The feat mirrored that of a famous Bobby Robson side from the 2000s. This season, Coach Doyinbike will want to completely avoid being in that situation again as lightning is no fan of striking twice in the same place.

Nigeria’s beach soccer star, Azeez, is expected to be in attendance to watch the club from his city try to get their first ever SociaLiga points. With that kind of support behind them, Alimosho FC will be looking to show what they are capable of. It remains to be seen if they can.

The game will probably be won in midfield, with Citizens’ embarrassment of riches in midfield expected to directly impact the game. It is well known that Citizens like to dominate opponents – their manager is a student of Pep Guardiola. Alimosho, on the other hand, are a team that like to adapt to whatever the opponent throws their way. This should make for a spectacle. MD2 cannot come soon enough.

The signs are not good for All Black following their poor defence performance on MD1. As the popular saying goes, ‘defence wins titles’. No team has conceded more goals than them so far, and they managed to throw away a 2-0 lead in one half; entering halftime behind 2-3 before going on to lose 3-4. If there is any game they would have wanted to avoid after that season opener, it is this one against the reigning champions.

Last season showed us how ruthless Dannaz can be. If they show that level of ruthlessness against All Black, we might see a big scoreline – on the evidence of All Black’s defending on MD1. Obakimi, who scored 2 goals against Royals, was visibly angry that they ended up drawing that game. He would certainly be looking to put the game out of reach this time around by scoring enough. All Black must be wary of the threat he poses.

Precious and Biola are expected to start alongside Obakimi in Dannaz’s menacing 3-man attack. All Black have Samson and Seun carrying their goal threat towards Dannaz’s goal. They would need to bypass the security of Dannaz Skipper Bashiru if they are to find their way there. It will be interesting to see. It is worth noting that Dannaz have only ever lost one game at SociaLiga, and it was a game in which Precious and Biola were rested from the start.

The real question this tie throws up is – how much of the ball will All Black see and how effectively will they use it? It is common knowledge that Dannaz’s strength is in the efficacy of their incredible pressing. Many SociaLiga teams have struggled to handle it, combined with their one touch play as soon as they win the ball. That is where the game will be won and lost. MD2 will be exciting!