NPFL Matchday 36 & Premier League Matchweek 35: Weekend Betting Preview

This weekend’s NPFL matchday 36 betting preview arrives at the most dramatic moment of the Nigerian football calendar — five clubs still locked in a title race with just three matchdays remaining. Simultaneously, Premier League Matchweek 35 brings a mouth-watering slate that could effectively settle the English top-flight title as Arsenal and Manchester City square up to a defining run-in. For Nigerian bettors on Bet9ja, BetKing, and SportyBet, the opportunities this weekend are as compelling as any in the season.

NPFL Matchday 36 Preview — Sunday, 3 May 2026

Matchday 36 kicks off across Nigeria on Sunday, with all nine scheduled fixtures going ahead as planned — the exception being the Ikorodu City versus Wikki Tourists clash, which the league has moved to Tuesday 5 May due to the Lagos State Federation Cup final at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena. That postponement only adds to the intrigue, since Ikorodu City remain genuine title contenders.

Matchday 36 Fixture List

• Barau FC vs El-Kanemi Warriors
• Niger Tornadoes vs Kwara United
• Enyimba FC vs Remo Stars
• Bayelsa United vs Rangers International
• Bendel Insurance vs Katsina United
• Rivers United vs Abia Warriors
• Kun Khalifat FC vs Kano Pillars
• Warri Wolves vs Plateau United
• Shooting Stars vs Nasarawa United
• Ikorodu City vs Wikki Tourists — postponed to Tue 5 May

Current Table Snapshot (After Matchday 35)

The 2025-26 NPFL title race is the tightest in recent memory. Enugu Rangers sit at the summit, leading by a single point with three matches to go. Rivers United, Ikorodu City, Abia Warriors, and Shooting Stars are all within touching distance of the top — five clubs separated by no more than five points. Meanwhile, defending champions Remo Stars have endured a wretched second half of the season and now find themselves down in 15th place, while Enyimba — the country’s most decorated club — sit 13th on 43 points.

Furthermore, the bottom of the table is equally tense, with several clubs fighting to avoid the final relegation berth. Every result this weekend therefore carries enormous stakes at both ends of the division.

Three Featured NPFL Matches

Rivers United vs Abia Warriors

Arguably the game of the matchday. Rivers United entered this week as second-placed title challengers but suffered a damaging 2-0 defeat to Warri Wolves in their last outing — a result that handed Enugu Rangers breathing room at the top. Consequently, Stan Eguma’s side must win at home against Abia Warriors, who are themselves in the title pack. A draw benefits nobody in the chasing group; this is set up perfectly as an end-to-end game where both teams need maximum points. The Betting Angle: Back Both Teams to Score — Rivers need goals and Abia can hurt anyone on the counter. SportyBet customers can bundle this into their accumulators using the platform’s 1000% multi boost.

Shooting Stars vs Nasarawa United

Shooting Stars of Ibadan host Nasarawa United knowing a win could lift them into the top two if results elsewhere go their way. That said, Nasarawa are no pushover — they have kept the pressure on throughout the run-in and away from home they have proved difficult to beat. The Betting Angle: Shooting Stars Win and Over 1.5 Goals captures the home team’s desperation while acknowledging this will not be a cagey affair. Bet9ja offers competitive odds on this market.

Enyimba FC vs Remo Stars

On paper this reads as a clash between two fallen giants. Enyimba are 13th on 43 points and Remo Stars — the defending champions — are 15th, an astonishing collapse for the club that won the title only last season. However, local derbies and pride matches like this frequently produce unexpected results, especially when neither side has a clear objective. Moreover, Remo Stars will be desperate to avoid embarrassment in what is essentially a dead rubber for them. The Betting Angle: Both sides are low on confidence, so Under 2.5 Goals makes sense. BetKing users can combine this with other under markets using the 300% boost to maximise value.

NPFL Top Scorer Watch

Joseph Arumala currently leads the NPFL Golden Boot race, according to Premium Times. Godwin Obaje of Enugu Rangers is also among the front-runners with 11 goals, while Victor Mbaoma — who has returned to the league in fine form — still has five games to make a push for the prize. The Golden Boot race is therefore likely to influence team selection at the top clubs in these final weeks.

Premier League Matchweek 35 Preview

The Premier League title will not be mathematically decided this weekend, but Matchweek 35 could leave one of the top two with a grip too strong to break. Arsenal lead the table with approximately 70 points from 34 games, while Manchester City — who have a game in hand — sit within three points. As noted by Sky Sports, the race has tightened dramatically following City’s consistent mid-April form.

Full Matchweek 35 Fixture List

• Friday 1 May, 20:00 BST: Leeds United vs Burnley
• Saturday 2 May, 15:00 BST: AFC Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace
• Saturday 2 May, 15:00 BST: Brentford vs West Ham United
• Saturday 2 May, 15:00 BST: Newcastle United vs Brighton & Hove Albion
• Saturday 2 May, 15:00 BST: Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Sunderland
• Saturday 2 May, 17:30 BST: Arsenal vs Fulham
• Sunday 3 May, 15:30 BST: Manchester United vs Liverpool
• Sunday 3 May, 19:00 BST: Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
• Monday 4 May, 15:00 BST: Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest
• Monday 4 May, 20:00 BST: Everton vs Manchester City

Current Premier League Top Six & Bottom Three

After 34 games: Arsenal lead on approximately 70 points. Manchester City are second, three points back but with a game in hand. Manchester United and Aston Villa are tied for third and fourth on around 58 points each, with the race for European spots fierce. West Ham sit two points ahead of Tottenham in the standings. At the bottom, Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers have already been relegated, with one further relegation place still to be decided heading into the final weeks.

Three Featured Premier League Matches

Arsenal vs Fulham — Saturday 2 May, 17:30 BST

Arsenal cannot afford to slip up at home if they want to keep their title lead intact ahead of City’s game at Goodison on Monday. However, the Gunners head into this fixture with injury concerns: both Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber remain sidelined, and Martin Odegaard — who departed early in midweek European action — is a major doubt with a knee problem. Fulham arrive in good spirits and have already qualified for European football next season. Notably, this game carries significant Nigerian interest — Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey are both expected to feature for Fulham. Iwobi has been arguably Fulham’s most creative player this season and is in the running for a Premier League Player of the Month award. The Betting Angle: Arsenal Win but Both Teams to Score — Arsenal’s defensive vulnerabilities this season suggest Fulham will create chances, while the Gunners’ attacking quality should ultimately prevail at the Emirates.

Manchester United vs Liverpool — Sunday 3 May, 15:30 BST

Old Trafford hosts what could be a battle for third place in the table. Manchester United travel into this one missing Lisandro Martinez, who is serving the third match of a suspension earned for his red card against Leeds United. Matthijs de Ligt is also unavailable with a back problem, and Luke Shaw remains a doubt after picking up a knock in training. Liverpool, meanwhile, will be without Mohamed Salah — out with a minor muscle issue though expected back before the end of the campaign — as well as Hugo Ekitike, who faces nine months out after rupturing his Achilles. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker is racing against time having not yet fully trained with the squad. Therefore, both teams line up with visible absences in key positions. The Betting Angle: Over 2.5 Goals — injury-depleted defences on both sides and the importance of the result for both clubs makes this likely to be an open, attacking game. SportyBet’s 1000% multi boost makes this an attractive leg in a weekend acca.

Everton vs Manchester City — Monday 4 May, 20:00 BST

In practice, Monday night’s game at Goodison Park could be the defining fixture of the Premier League title race. City need a win to close the gap on Arsenal — or overtake them outright if the Gunners drop points on Saturday. Everton have been involved in the relegation battle for most of the season and are not yet completely safe. The intensity of an Everton crowd fighting for survival against a City side chasing a title makes this one of the most electric matchday 35 fixtures. The Betting Angle: Manchester City Win and Over 2.5 Goals — City’s goals machine tends to fire in must-win situations.

Nigerian Players to Watch This Weekend

Four Nigerian internationals are set to be active in the Premier League this weekend. Alex Iwobi (Fulham) and Calvin Bassey (Fulham) both face Arsenal on Saturday in what is an enormous game for both the title race and Nigerian fans globally. Iwobi has broken the record for the most Premier League appearances by a Nigerian player this season — a remarkable achievement celebrated widely back home.

Additionally, Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi of Nottingham Forest face Chelsea on Monday in what is a vital game for Forest’s top-flight survival ambitions. Both Nigerian internationals will be pivotal if Forest are to claim any points at Stamford Bridge. Notably, Ademola Lookman — who joined Atletico Madrid in January 2026 — is no longer in the Premier League, but his compatriots are carrying the Super Eagles flag in England’s top division with distinction.

Accumulator Picks for the Weekend

For Nigerian bettors looking to build a weekend acca on the best Nigerian bookmakers, here is a four-leg selection spanning both competitions. Customers should check SportyBet’s 1000% multi boost and BetKing’s 300% multi boost when placing these selections to maximise potential returns.

Leg 1 — Rivers United to Win (NPFL Matchday 36): Rivers United are second in the title race and, despite last weekend’s setback against Warri Wolves, they must win at home against Abia Warriors. Home advantage and title desperation gives them the edge. Bet9ja offers strong pre-match prices on NPFL fixtures.

Leg 2 — Arsenal to Win vs Fulham (PL Matchweek 35, Sat): Arsenal lead the league and need three points. Despite their injury issues, they are at home and Mikel Arteta’s side have been formidable at the Emirates. The fact that Fulham’s danger-man Alex Iwobi will be well known to Arsenal’s defence adds an interesting subplot.

Leg 3 — Over 2.5 Goals, Manchester United vs Liverpool (PL Matchweek 35, Sun): As discussed, defensive absences on both sides make goals highly likely at Old Trafford. This is one of the most reliable legs in the acca.

Leg 4 — Shooting Stars to Win (NPFL Matchday 36): At home, needing points in the title race, against a Nasarawa United side with less to play for. Home support and title pressure should see Shooting Stars claim three points.

Place this four-fold on SportyBet to take advantage of the 1000% multi boost, or on BetKing where the 300% boost also applies to multi bets. Always check the latest odds before placing.

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