NPFL Matchday 36 Stats Reveal Tight Title Race and Fierce Relegation Battle

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has published its official statistics after Matchday 36, offering a clear snapshot of a season defined by intensity, consistency, and shifting momentum across the table.

So far, 359 matches have been played, yielding 718 goals—an average of two per game. One fixture remains outstanding from the round, between Ikorodu City and Wikki Tourists, and its outcome could still influence the final standings.

Home advantage has been a decisive factor throughout the campaign. Of the 268 wins recorded, 226 have gone to home teams, while away sides have managed just 42 victories. A total of 91 matches have ended in draws, with visiting teams suffering 226 defeats—highlighting the difficulty of picking up points on the road.

At the summit, Rangers lead the standings with 62 points from 36 matches. Their push for the title has been anchored on a solid defensive record, conceding just 25 goals—the best in the league—while also boasting a +18 goal difference. With 43 goals scored, they rank among the league’s most potent attacking sides, underlining their balance.

At the other end of the table, Bayelsa United and Wikki Tourists are tied on 40 points, emphasizing how tight the relegation battle has become as the season nears its conclusion.

Elsewhere, Abia Warriors stand out for their impressive away form, recording five wins on their travels. Meanwhile, Remo Stars have faced defensive challenges, conceding a league-high 45 goals—an issue that has shaped their campaign.

With two matchdays remaining and a crucial outstanding game yet to be settled, the latest figures underline just how competitive the 2025/26 NPFL season has been, where small margins continue to define both the title race and the fight for survival.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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