Expect a low-scoring affair
Albirex and Tampines likely to cancel each other out tonight
ALBIREX NIIGATA v TAMPINES ROVERS
(Tonight, 7.30pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)
You have to go back to May to find the last S.League match involving Albirex that yielded more than two goals.
Since then, the White Swans have had two wins, two draws and two losses, scoring just four times and conceding thrice, passing up the chance to go back on top of the S.League because they just can't score enough.
Games involving Tampines produce slightly more goals, but the Stags' game is also built on a solid defence. This means a low-scoring draw is on the cards tonight between these evenly-matched titans.
And that's bad news because this just means they will lose further ground in the title race.
- Prediction: Take Draw and under 2.5 goals
BRUNEI DPMM FC v HARIMAU MUDA
(Saturday, 8.15pm, Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium)
DPMM are still stinging from having their three-match winning run and seven-game unbeaten streak ended by title underdogs Balestier Khalsa a couple of weeks ago.
Steve Kean's men will want to quickly get back to winning ways, and they have the perfect opportunity against the Malaysian developmental side.
Despite Malaysian football being trapped in turmoil following the national team's disastrous results, Harimau Muda have been an unexpected balm for the sore.
Razip Ismail's boys have already caused huge upsets by beating bigger teams like defending champions Warriors FC, Albirex Niigata and Home United this season.
That said, DPMM FC have the best home record (6-2-1) this season, and the Young Tigers don't look like they have the quality to take any points back home.
- Prediction: Take DPMM FC on 1X2 and ½-Goal
WARRIORS FC v BALESTIER KHALSA
(Sunday, 7.30pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)
Just when they looked like winning their second league match in seven games, the Warriors conceded a last-minute equaliser to Geylang International on Aug 29.
Their misery could be compounded by the rip-roaring Tigers, who have proven their title credentials by completing a league double over league leaders DPMM FC.
Incidentally, the Warriors were the last team to beat Balestier, after which Marko Kraljevic's men are now on an eight-match unbeaten run.
Given the current circumstances, I don't see how Alex Weaver's side can conjure a repeat as their league title slowly slips out of their grasp.
- Prediction: Take Balestier on the 1X2 and ½-Goal
GEYLANG INTERNATIONAL v HOME UNITED
(Monday, 7.30pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)
Captain Marvel Jozef Kaplan continues to carry the Eagles on his wings as his 10th league goal of the season - Geylang International have scored just 16 - salvaged a point against the Warriors in their last match and snapped a six-match losing streak.
Meanwhile, Home United have been unspectacular but solid, with coach Philippe Aw rewarded for his faith in youth as the Protectors settled down to build a nine-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
They have gone toe to toe against big guns like DPMM FC, Warriors FC, Balestier Khalsa and Albirex Niigata recently and not lost.
So while Geylang's last win did come in a 1-0 victory over Home United, again I don't see lightning striking twice, even though they could be lifted by their last result.
- Prediction: Take Draw and Geylang on the ½-Goal
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