Written by: Nigel Chin

Hougang United vs Balestier Khalsa
(Sunday, 1 Nov, 7:30pm, Hougang Stadium)

Third placed Balestier Khalsa will require maximum points against Hougang United to stay in the title race when both sides meet on Sunday evening at the Hougang Stadium.

The Tigers trail league leaders Brunei DPMM by six points, after falling to a 2-0 defeat to Home United in their previous game.

Coach Marko Kraljevic felt his side “weren’t sharp enough” in the game, and said after the game that it will be hard to catch DPMM.

However, the Tigers are not giving up hopes yet, after DPMM dropped points as well in their defeat to Tampines Rovers.

Destiny may not be in their own hands, but Kraljevic’s side are prepared to fight till the very end, especially with a fixture against DPMM on the final day of the season still to come.

Against Hougang, they will face a side that have lost thrice to them already this season.

The Cheetahs are also on a woeful run of form, having not won in their last six matches.

That included a 2-0 defeat to a Warriors side that changed coach just a couple of days ago, where they looked out of sorts throughout.

Coach Salim Moin suggested after the game that his players might not be mentally strong, after witnessing them commit mistake after mistake recently.

Following Geylang International’s win over Home United, the Cheetahs are now bottom of the league table. Yet, Salim believes Hougang will be able to climb up the table before the season ends.

But with just three matches left in the season, it may be a tough task for Hougang.

Suspensions: Poh Yifeng (Balestier Khalsa)

Key Men to Watch

Hougang United: Atsushi Shimono

Despite Hougang going through a tough run of form, Shimono has been putting up good performances in the middle of the park.

Against Balestier, Shimono will be needed to put on another hard working shift in midfield if the Cheetahs are to end their winless run.

Balestier Khalsa: Miroslav Kristic

The Croatian hit-man is a huge reason why Balestier have surprised many this season. After an initial slow start to the season, Kristic has gone on to score 14 times in the league.

Against Hougang, Kraljevic will definitely look to the 25-year-old to score a goal or two as they continue chasing for the title.

Hougang United – LDLLL

26/10/15     Warriors FC 2-0 Hougang United (S.League)
20/10/15     Hougang United 1-2 Brunei DPMM (S.League)
17/10/15     Tampines Rovers 1-0 Hougang United (S.League)
01/10/15     Hougang United 2-2 Courts Young Lions (S.League)
17/09/15     Hougang United 0-1 Home United (S.League)

Balestier Khalsa – DWWWL

26/10/15     Home United 2-0 Balestier Khalsa (S.League)
19/10/15     Balestier Khalsa 1-0 Courts Young Lions (S.League)
16/10/15     Balestier Khalsa 1-0 Albirex Niigata (S) (S.League)
27/09/15     Harimau Muda 0-2 Balestier Khalsa (S.League)
22/09/15     Balestier Khalsa 0-0 Harimau Muda (S.League)

Head-to-Head (S.League)

07/08/15     Balestier Khalsa 3-2 Hougang United
18/04/15     Hougang United 0 – 1 Balestier Khalsa
27/08/14     Balestier Khalsa 4 – 1 Hougang United
09/05/14     Hougang United 2 – 1 Balestier Khalsa
05/08/13     Balestier Khalsa 3 – 1 Hougang United

Catch the match LIVE on Voxsports! (http://voxsports.co/match/427/)