Barau host Shooting Stars, popularly called 3SC, at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano on Sunday in Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday 12, with the hosts looking to end a winless run and the visitors chasing a first away victory. Kick-off is at 4pm.

The Maliya Boys are seventh with 16 points from 11 matches, from three wins, seven draws and one defeat. They have scored 13 goals and conceded 10. They are hard to beat, but they have not won in the league for some time, and they were held to a 0-0 draw away to Niger Tornadoes last Friday. They have not lost at home this season, and they will see Sunday as a chance to climb the table.

The Oluyole Warriors are 10th with 15 points from 11 matches, from four wins, three draws and four defeats, so they are one point behind their hosts. They have scored 16 goals and conceded 15. They arrive in better spirits after a 4-1 home win over Abia Warriors last time out, a result that eased pressure on coach Salisu Yusuf after fans had called for his sacking. They have taken seven points from their last three league games.

Away from home, however, 3SC have not won this season. They have drawn once and lost four of their five away matches, scoring five goals and conceding 12. At home, they are unbeaten, with a 4-1 win over Abia Warriors and a 3-1 win over Ranchers Bees among their results.

History favours the visitors. 3SC have won both previous meetings with Barau 1-0, including an away victory at the same venue last season, and that record will give them confidence.

A win for 3SC would deliver their first away success of the campaign and lift them above Barau. For the hosts, three points would end their drought and strengthen their position in the top half of the table.