Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) will look to extend their remarkable recent home dominance over Bendel Insurance when the two sides meet in the Nigeria Premier Football League on Friday at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan.

The Oluyole Warriors have established clear superiority against the Benin Arsenal on home soil in recent seasons, as they have won their last three encounters against Bendel Insurance at Lekan Salami, each time by a 1–0 scoreline

Across the broader recent head-to-head (last five or six meetings), Shooting Stars hold the edge, particularly when playing at home, where the contests have consistently been tight, low-scoring affairs.

3SC’s overall home record in the 2026/27 NPFL further strengthens their case. After 12 matches played, Shooting Stars sit 13th with 15 points. At Lekan Salami, however, they remain unbeaten: four wins, two draws and 0 losses from six home games, scoring 11 goals and conceding just three.

Recent home results include a convincing 4–1 victory over Abia Warriors and a 3–1 win against Ranchers Bees. Their defensive solidity at home has been a standout feature, with clean sheets a regular occurrence.

Bendel Insurance arrive in stronger overall form, sitting second in the table with 21 points from 12 matches (7 wins, 0 draws, five losses; 20 goals scored, 17 conceded). They trail leaders Enugu Rangers by three points (Rangers have a game in hand) and remain genuine title contenders.

Yet their away record remains a significant concern: just one win from six road games, with only four goals scored and 10 conceded. Bendel have shown attacking threat, particularly after half-time (around 70% of their league goals this season have come in the second half), but converting that into results away from Benin City has proven difficult.

A fourth consecutive home win over Bendel would not only reinforce 3SC’s psychological advantage in this fixture but also deliver a timely boost to their mid-table campaign.

Points against one of the league’s stronger sides would help Shooting Stars climb the standings and build momentum ahead of tougher upcoming fixtures.

For Bendel, ending the Ibadan drought is essential if they are to maintain pressure on Rangers in the title race. Breaking a stubborn home side that has repeatedly shut them out will require clinical finishing and greater defensive resilience on the road.

Historically, these matches have been decided by fine margins — often a single goal. With 3SC’s current home form and proven ability to grind out narrow wins against Bendel, the hosts will start as favourites to make it four in a row on Friday and continue their impressive run over the Benin club.

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