Tampines Rovers vs Hougang United

(Saturday, 17 October, 7.30pm, Jurong West Stadium)

Tampines Rovers will have another must-win match when they play Hougang United, with them needing a win to keep their title hopes alive.

The Stags have been in good form of late, with one defeat in their last five games. However, after dropping points needlessly throughout the season, Tampines find themselves eight points behind leaders Brunei DPMM, although they do have a game in hand.

With only eight more games to go, Tampines really cannot afford to drop points anymore should they want to realise their title ambitions.

However, this will not be an easy game against a Hougang side determined to end the season with a bang. Title contenders Albirex Niigata (S) found that out too late, as they were held to a 1-1 draw three games back.

Tampines will have to contend with the absence of Fahrudin Mustafic, as he serves the last of his two-game suspension. This might see Tampines playing without an orthodox centre-back once again, with the likes of Ismail Yunos and Ismadi Mukhtar filling in the void.

Striker Mateo Roskam will join his captain on the sidelines too, as he picked up his fourth yellow card of the season. However, the Stags will welcome back Isa Halim back into the fold, and this should see their backline well protected.

Hougang should have a fully fit squad to pick from, and captain Nurhilmi Jasni will be looking to pick up from where he last left off.

The skipper was in inspirational form in his last game, as he scored two goals to rescue a point for the Cheetahs against the Young Lions.

Suspension: Mateo Roskam (Tampines Rovers), Fahrudin Mustafic (Tampines Rovers)

Key Men To Watch

Tampines Rovers: Rodrigo Tosi

The striker was especially wasteful in his last outing for the Stags, and he could have scored a hat-trick were he more clinical  with his chances.

With Roskam out due to suspension, the onus is on Tosi to lead Tampines to victory and he might be in the mood to banish the nightmare of his last game.

Hougang United: Nurhilmi Jasni

Against Tampines, Hougang will need Nurhilmi to lead the team by example and showcase the battling spirit required to put the Stags to the sword.

With his incisive passing and darting runs, Nurhilmi could also bag himself a goal or two in this fixture.

Tampines Rovers – DWWLW

27/09/15   Courts Young Lions 1-3 Tampines Rovers (S.League)

19/09/15  Tampines Rovers 0-1 Courts Young Lions (S.League)

15/09/15  Tampines Rovers 5-1 Harimau Muda (S.League)

27/08/15  Harimau Muda 0-1 Tampines Rovers (S.League)

21/08/15  Tampines Rovers 0-0 Balestier Khalsa (S.League)

Hougang United – LWDLD

01/10/15   Hougang United 2-2 Courts Young Lions (S.League)

17/09/15   Hougang United 0-1 Home United (S.League)

28/08/15   Hougang United 1-1 Albirex Niigata (S) (S.League)

19/08/15   Harimau Muda 0-1 Hougang United (S.League)

07/08/15   Balestier Khalsa 3-2 Hougang United (S.League)

Head-to-Head (S.League)

25/07/15    Hougang United 0-3 Tampines Rovers

18/03/15    Tampines Rovers 2-0 Hougang United

19/06/14    Tampines Rovers 1-1 Hougang United

05/04/14    Hougang United 4-2 Tampines Rovers

18/07/14    Hougang United 2-3 Tampines Rovers