Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL): Bendel Insurance vs Rivers United Prediction, Betting Tips and Odds

Bendel Insurance will host Rivers United in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 9 encounter on Thursday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City. Can new technical adviser Boboye finally get his first win since his appointment?

Bendel Insurance Form Analysis

Bendel Insurance, fondly called the Benin Arsenal, will be determined to break their six-match winless streak as they prepare to take full advantage of their home support. The Benin-based side have recorded consecutive 1-1 draws in their last two NPFL outings against Kun Khalifa and Warri Wolves. In their most recent match on Saturday against Warri Wolves, Alex Oweilayefa opened the scoring for Insurance, but Othuke Egbo’s strike just before halftime denied them victory. The result means new technical adviser Kennedy Boboye is still searching for his first win since taking over from Greg Ikhenoba in October 2025.

Since his appointment, Boboye has guided the team through two 1-0 defeats to Nasarawa United and Ikorodu City before earning draws against Kun Khalifa and Warri Wolves. Bendel Insurance currently sits 19th on the NPFL table with eight points, making their upcoming clash against Rivers United a crucial opportunity to revive their season.

Rivers United Form Analysis

Rivers United, who have been drawn in Group A of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League group stage, will be eager to extend their two-match unbeaten run in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). The Pride of Rivers recently battled to a hard-fought goalless draw against Ikorodu City before finally securing their first league victory since qualifying for the CAF Champions League last week. Last Saturday, Finidi George’s men edged out title-chasing Nasarawa United 1-0 at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, with Timothy Zachariah’s first-half strike proving enough to seal all three points. This season, Rivers United have lost only once, a narrow 2-1 away defeat to Bayelsa United on Matchday 8. However, the team’s main struggle this season has been on the road. They are still searching for their first away win, having drawn their last three Premier League away matches: 1-1 against Remo Stars, followed by goalless draws with EL Kanemi and Enyimba.

The Port Harcourt-based side currently sits eighth on the NPFL table with 16 points from nine matches, just three points behind second-placed Nasarawa United, and they still have two games in hand.

Key facts and Head-to-Head stats

• Bendel Insurance have gone six matches without a win, drawing their last two games (both 1‑1).
• Rivers United are on a two‑match unbeaten run in the league
• Bendel Insurance at home have not conceded two or more goals in a home game this season.
• Rivers United are yet to claim victory against Bendel Insurance at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

Prediction

Rivers United have struggled to claim victory against Bendel Insurance at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, failing to win in their last three visits. Meanwhile, Bendel Insurance will be desperate to end their six-match winless streak and could find motivation from their home advantage. My prediction is Bendel to win or draw.