Shooting Stars Sports Club and Heartland FC of Owerri clash on Saturday in Ibadan to headline Week 2 of the Nigeria Professional Football League.
But it is also a match both sides need, particularly the Shooting Stars, to re-establish the old order and ensure they quickly begin to stamp their authority on the competition.
The Ibadan side, also known as 3SC, lost their opening game 0-2 last weekend in Bauchi to Wikki Tourists and need to win this one to get into the running.
Heartland’s week one tie against Kano Pillars was postponed, but with what happened to the likes of Rangers International, 3SC, Enyimba and Warri Wolves, they will be cautious at least.
Defending champions, Kano Pillars, get into the thick of the action by hosting former champions, Bayelsa United, even though it may look premature.
They lost five first-team players to serious injuries from the March 5 robbery attack in Abaj, and continental body, CAF, has gone on to shift their Champions League tie.
It is a wonder then how they will be able to face Bayelsa United in the second of the two Match Day 2 fixtures.
However, they still look good to win the game, going by their pedigree and the fact that their opponents were unimpressive last weekend when they drew 1-1 with Lobi Stars.
Five games are slated for Sunday, with Kwara United FC against El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri in Ilorin, and Sunshine Stars versus Gabros International in Akure the more explosive ties.
Kwara United drew goalless against hosts Dolphins in Week 1 and will be looking forward to beating the Desert Warriors who beat Nasarawa United 1-0 in Kano last weekend.
But it may not be as easy as it looks, with the Maiduguri side looking good enough to challenge for the title better than they did last season.
Sunshine Stars also drew goalless in Port Harcourt last weekend, holding Sharks, and will be hoping to shoot down Gabros International.
The Nnewi side are high-riding, with their 2-0 win over Warri Wolves last weekend, but they can still go on to continue to surprise the rest.
Nasarawa United FC of Lafia, 0-1 losers to El-Kanemi last weekend, look likely to beat visiting Wikki Tourists who are one of the league leaders from last weekend’s outings.
Akwa United who stunned Enyimba International in Aba last weekend with a scoreless game should get the better of FC Taraba in spite of their 3-2 defeat of Rangers International in Jalingo.
Rangers versus Sharks used to be a lively fixture, but there are doubts whether this one in Enugu will live up to such preview, going present-day realities.
Last weekend, Sharks drew at home while Rangers lost at away, and this should be enough to spark a hunger, but off-field issues can combine to turn the match into a drag.
Three matches have been pushed to midweek, with Lobi Stars hosting Enyimba and Warri Wolves hosting Giwa FC on Wednesday, and Abia Warriors hosting Dolphins on Thursday.
The full fixtures:
Nasarawa United vs Wikki Tourists
Lobi Stars vs Enyimba International
Akwa United vs FC Taraba
Sunshine Stars vs Gabros
Warri Wolves vs Giwa
Abia Warriors vs Dolphins
Kwara United vs El-Kanemi Warriors
Shooting Stars vs Heartland
Kano Pillars vs Bayelsa United
Rangers International vs Sharks FC
NAN.