Stags to edge the Tigers
BALESTIER KHALSA v TAMPINES ROVERS
(Tonight, 8pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)
Both teams have made full use of the international break to regroup and this match can be billed as a battle of the resurgent teams.
Balestier Khalsa seem to have solved their scoring woes with the addition of Niko Tokic, who grabbed one goal and two assists in his first two games for the club as they drew Hougang United 2-2 before beating Home United 3-1.
But Tampines Rovers have also rediscovered their scoring form in the 4-3 win over Brunei DPMM FC and 6-1 thumping of the Garena Young Lions - the 10 goals represented half of what they achieved from their previous 12 games.
I have to go with the quality on the teamsheet, which suggests the Stags will just edge out the Tigers.
- Prediction: Take Tampines to win and Over 2.5 goals.
ALBIREX NIIGATA v HOME UNITED
(Tomorrow, 8pm, Jurong East Stadium)
Whether third-placed Home United can beat league leaders Albirex Niigata depends much on the fitness of their star striker Ken Ilso.
The great Dane has netted 11 times in all competitions this season for the Protectors and, in the 10 games he has scored in, Home have won seven and drawn three.
When Ilso hasn't scored, they have lost three and drew one, including the 3-0 defeat by Albirex Niigata in April.
So the result of this match hinges greatly on whether he can recover in time from the injury that ruled him out of the 3-1 defeat by Balestier earlier this week.
If he can, then there's a good chance they can disrupt the White Swans' nine-game winning streak and make it a more exciting title race.
Otherwise, expect Albirex to make it a perfect 10, with the in-form Tatsuro Inui keen to make a statement against his former team.
- Prediction: Take Albirex to win.
GEYLANG UNITED v HOUGANG UNITED
(Tomorrow, 8pm, Bedok Stadium)
The Eagles and the Cheetahs are hurting.
Geylang International had been on a good run of four wins in five games, but were beaten 2-0 by the seventh-placed Warriors FC, while Hougang United have now gone seven games without a win.
Incidentally, both teams have scored the same number of league goals - 19 in 14 games - which are the worst tallies outside the bottom two.
Hougang's Stipe Plazibat is among the league's top scorers with nine goals, but none of his teammates have more than two each, with just six other players having scored this season.
With both continuing to struggle to score and, with Hougang's draw-lose-draw-lose trend of results, I'm tipping a draw for this one.
- Prediction: Take Draw and Under 2.5 goals.
GARENA YOUNG LIONS v BRUNEI DPMM FC
(Sunday, 8pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)
Brunei DPMM FC were unlucky to lose to Tampines last week after coming from behind three times but failing to get even a point.
This game could go either way - DPMM's slump could continue, or the Garena Young Lions could face the brunt of a Bruneian backlash.
Poor goalkeeping and defending led to the Young Lions' heaviest defeat of the season as they lost 6-1 to Tampines and the national developmental squad must recover quickly if they are to avoid another thrashing and lose further ground on second-from-bottom Balestier.
Khairul Amri and Fareez Farhan always look good for a goal, but their defence has resembled a leaky faucet with 40 goals already conceded from just 15 games.
With Paulo Sergio and Rafael Ramazotti leading the DPMM frontline, you would fancy them to outscore the Young Lions.
- Prediction: Take DPMM on the 1X2 and ½-Goal.
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