By Aderonke Ojo
Bayelsa United will travel to the ancient city of Benin this weekend in Matchday six of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) as they will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways in what promises to be a tense NPFL clash, with both sides keen to establish momentum early in the season.
For the Prosperity Boys, the game is crucial: they are coming off a run of results that have dented their promising start to the season. So, this fixture presents an opportunity to arrest the slide and reassert themselves among the contenders for the top half of the table. Bendel Insurance, meanwhile, will see this as a chance to move up the table and exploit Prosperity Boys fragility.
Bayelsa United showed flashes of quality and promise in the first two games of the season, but their recent form has been inconsistent. After a strong start in the 2025/26 season—including wins over Shooting Stars and Barau FC—Bayelsa United have suffered three consecutive defeat in the last three league matches.
These losses have exposed some issues in the team’s defence, especially in handling late-game pressure and concentration lapses. Furthermore, their productivity in attack has looked thin at times, with key chances going begging. For Bayelsa United, the challenge now is psychological as much as tactical—the players must rebuild confidence and sharpen their execution.
Bendel Insurance will be dangerous opponents. They have shown resilience, especially in big matches, and have a more settled structure. Their home matches often carry extra weight; playing at Benin gives them comfort and confidence.
Also, their defensive discipline tends to make them difficult to break down, particularly against teams that are under pressure or coming off poor results. They will look to exploit any lapses from Bayelsa United, particularly in transition or set-pieces.
Speaking ahead of the game defensive stall, Isah Yusuf admitted that the team is not doing very well at the moment and they will give all their best to get a good result at Insurance while midfield maestro, Wisdom Magbisa also added that the team will give its best and try to get something out of the game.”
Bayelsa United Tackle Bendel Insurance on Friday At the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin by 4.00pm
FORM GUIDE:
Bendel Insurance: LWDDL
Bayelsa United: WWLLL
LAST MATCH RESULTS:
21/09/2025
Enyimba 3-2 Bendel Insurance
Bayelsa United 0-2 Nasarawa United
LAST MATCH MEETING BETWEEN BOTH TEAMS DURING 2024/2025 SEASON
Matchday 7: Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium
Bendel Insurance 3-0 Bayelsa United
Matchday 27: Samson Siasia Stadium
Bayelsa United 2-1 Bendel Insurance.