Home United vs Albirex Niigata (S)
(Thursday, 20 October, 7.30pm, Bishan Stadium)

After securing their first Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League title in 12 years, Albirex Niigata (S) will be keen to avoid any hangover when they take on Home United at Bishan Stadium on Thursday night.

Atsushi Kawata, Masaya Jitozono, Rui Kumada scored the goals for Albirex as the Japanese developmental squad sealed their place in Singapore football history books by defeating Hougang United 3-0 at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Friday.

They now have 50 points from 22 games and with just two games remaining in the season, they are seven points ahead of second-placed Tampines Rovers.

Albirex still have silverware to play for as they seek the first-ever quadruple by taking home the Singapore Cup to add to their trophy cabinet. They will face off with Tampines Rovers in the final on Saturday 29 October.

They will be making use of the remaining matches to prepare for that contest and first up – Home United.

Home United themselves are playing for a chance to play in the AFC Cup next season and will be determined to end the season on a high. They are lying in fourth place, two points above Hougang United, and in the driving seat in the race for the AFC Cup slot.

A dominating five-star performance in the 5-0 victory over Balestier Khalsa over the weekend was proof that their attacking talent is one of the best in the league. Irfan Fandi showed by he was called up for the national team by grabbing a brace while Song Uiyoung, Juma’at Jantan, and Ang Zhiwei also scored for Home.

The Protectors are third in the league in scoring, averaging more than two goals per game and will have to be at the top of their game to tackle Albirex, who has the meanest defence in the league.

However, at the other end, their defence is an area that has been found severely lacking. Coach Aidil Sharin highlighted as much in his post-match press conference and though earning a clean sheet against the Tigers was particularly pleasing, his defence will have to stand firm against the newly crowned defending champions.

With just the Singapore Cup to prepare for, Albirex must be on their toes to avoid a celebratory hang over as Home United still have much to play for as the season comes to a close.

Home United – LWLWW

15/10/16  Balestier Khalsa 0-5 Home United (S.League)
30/09/16  Home United 5-2 Garena Young Lions (S.Legue)
23/09/16  Brunei DPMM 3-1 Home United (S.League)
10/09/16  Home United 1-0 Tampines Rovers (S.League)
12/08/16  Hougang United 4-2 Home United (S.League)

Albirex Niigata (S) – WWWLW

14/10/16  Albirex Niigata (S) 3-0 Hougang United (S.League)
30/09/16  Warriors FC 2-0 Albirex Niigata (S) (S.League)
22/09/16  Albirex Niigata (S) 1-0 Geylang International FC (S.League)
13/09/16  Balestier Khalsa 0-1 Albirex Niigata (S) (Singapore Cup)
09/09/16  Albirex Niigata (S) 1-0 Balestier Khalsa (Singapore Cup)

Head to Head (S.League)

18/06/16  Albirex Niigata (S) 5-2 Home United
08/04/16  Home United 0-3 Albirex Niigata (S)
05/11/15  Home United 1-2 Albirex Niigata (S)
20/08/15  Home United 0-0 Albirex Niigata (S)
22/04/15  Home United 0-0 Albirex Niigata (S)