S-league Preview

last week Preview - Got 2 right and 3 wrong with 1 result not yet out

Balestier Khalsa vs Albirex Niigata (S)
The Tigers are in a rut and they have no way of getting out of it. Rivaldo whose goals have proved decisive in the Tigers season thus far have dry up and the Toa Poyah side have nobody to replace it. Not helping is the direct style of the Tigers (as their two central defenders had learn their trade from that region) which opponents know how to counter. Without an alternative as they have no midfielders who can play the short passes, they are now virtually toothless. It looked like a bad time to play 1 of the in-form team of the moment, Albirex Niigata (S). 2-0 to the White Swans

Etoile FC vs Sengkang Punggol
An in-form team against an out-of-sort team and that out-of-sort team is not Sengkang Punggol. It is Etoile FC with only 2 wins from their last 5 matches - that also saw 2 defeats. It has seem the French lost top spot and they cannot afford anymore slip. But it is asking too much for the Dolphins to take all 3 points from the French as even with 2 win on the trot (thus counting Hougang side as on-form as how often do they do that in their history) they still have problems with putting ball into the net. Their only saving grace is, since the inclusion of Kenji Arai, they have tighten up at the back. A draw will be like a win for the Dolphins. o-o draw

Gombak United vs Tampines Rovers
The Stags face 1 of the toughest assignment as they looked to finish off their season on a high now with a championship crown at the end of it. The Bulls are beatable when matched man to man with the Stags but their strength lie in the fact they do not concede many (as well as scored as few). So the Stags have to score the first goal or find it impossible to break down a Bulls side that will not come out to attack as the match drag on. The Stags need no reminding that the last time they play such a side was the Eastern Derby - where the Eagles is near-replica of the Bulls - and what happen in that match. 1-0 to the Stags (as they need the win and they find a way to score as Khariul and Duric will have to make up for Qiu Li loss.)

Home United vs Young Lions
Nothing have changed for the Protectors. It is still win or bust for while former leaders Etoile FC have slip up, they are still in a better position than the Protectors and the team that took full advantage was the Stags. The Cubs are beatable with the squad the Protectors have. No excuse, they must win. 3-2 win for Home United

Geylang United vs Albirex Niigata (S)
The Eagles found the net twice against soon-to-be-former champions SAFFC and that was a miracle. I am not talking about the win but the fact the Eagles scored twice. Nothing have changed though in my eye about the Eagles that they are a team that valued safety first. The White Swans lacked the experience to break down such a side thus the question is if the Eagles will get a goal. They might as the White Swans do give opponents their chances as they are still learning the trade. The Japanese side could pay the price. 1-0 to the Eagles

Balestier Khalsa vs Gombak United
The Bulls are inconsistent and I do wish to not back them due to that factor. But even they cannot mess up against the free-falling Tigers. Lacked of goals with only 5 goals in their last 12 matches, the Tigers are finding it hard to dug themselves a rescue route from their hole. In the meantime, the Bulls have national forwards Agu and Farzul as well as new-found Nigerian striker Eddoh so they are worth a goal. Surely, they cannot mess this up. 1-0 to the Bulls

Tampines Rovers vs SAFFC
SAFFC could be facing the side that is taking away their crown. They could derail the championship march of the Stags as they do have the strength. However they are not playing anymore near that potential even when they were defeating sides like Albirex Niigata (S) or Beijing Gouan (S) let alone now when they are crashing to defeat after defeat. It is the second tough match up for the Stags this week but if they want to be champions, these are the matches they must (and not will) win. Same answer - Khariul and Duric will have to make up for Qiu Li loss. 3-1 to the Stags.