SINGAPORE, 22 May 2019 – Brunei DPMM’s unbeaten record is on the line as the leaders face a testing away trip to champions Albirex Niigata (S), while rejuvenated Warriors FC have a chance to move off the bottom when they entertain Hougang United. Tampines Rovers will be looking to end a five-match win-less streak as they take on eastern rivals Geylang International, while Home United and Balestier Khalsa face off after suffering two straight defeats each.

Albirex vs DPMM | 24 May | 8.30pm | Jurong East | fas.org.sg/live1

Team news: Albirex have a full-strength squad to call upon, with Noor Akid Nordin marking his return from injury in the 2-0 defeat of Geylang earlier this month. In contrast, DPMM will have to contend without three key players – Azwan Ali Rahman, Nurikhwan Othman and Abdul Azizi Rahman all miss out due to suspension.

Facts

• Albirex are looking for a fifth straight home win.
• Albirex are unbeaten in 45 games at home in all competitions – a run that goes all the way back to November 2015.
• DPMM are on a club-record unbeaten run of 17 league games, including a record ten-game unbeaten away streak.
• DPMM have the league’s best attack and best defence.
• DPMM have not defeated Albirex in the past eight encounters in all competitions.
• Andrei Varankou has scored in eight of his 10 games this season.

Warriors vs Hougang | 25 May | 8.30pm | Jurong East | fas.org.sg/live1

Team news: Warriors will continue to miss the services of utility man Fadhil Noh and Japanese centre-back Kento Fukuda through injury. Hougang may face a huge problem at right-back with Muhaimin Suhaimi serving a one-match suspension, while Nazrul Nazari is unlikely to be fit after missing their last three matches.

Facts

• Warriors are now searching for a third straight win after failing to win any of the 11 preceding matches.
• Warriors are looking to achieve three straight clean sheets in the league for the first time since May 2012.
• Hougang are targeting two straight shutouts for the first time since May 2017.
• Hougang have 10 different scorers, the most in the league.
• Hougang are the only side not to drop points from a draw position at half-time (three games).
• Twelve different players have made at least one assist for Hougang; no other team has had more players doing so.

Tampines vs Geylang | 25 May | 8.30pm | Our Tampines Hub | fas.org.sg/live2

Team news: In their first league game since Khairul Amri’s move to Felda United, Tampines may face a slight issue in the attacking third with Yasir Hanapi on a one-match ban. As for Geylang, they are handed a huge boost with four players returning from suspension – namely Barry Maguire, Syahiran Miswan, Muhd Noor Ariff and Darren Teh.

Facts

• Tampines are on a five-match win-less streak in the league – their longest since May 2015.
• Geylang are looking to avoid a fifth straight loss for the first time since April 2018.
• Geylang are the only team yet to score a first-half goal this season.
• Geylang have not defeated Tampines in the last 12 league encounters since a 3-2 win in April 2015.

Balestier vs Home | 26 May | 8.30pm | Bishan | fas.org.sg/live1

Team news: Balestier may be shorn of some firepower upfront with top scorer Hazzuwan Halim hit with a six-match ban after being found guilty of gross misconduct in the 1-0 defeat to Young Lions on May 3, while Kristijan Krajček will miss a fourth straight game through injury. Defender Sufianto Salleh is also serving the final game of his two-match ban, which could pave the way for Sheikh Abdul Hadi to make his first appearance this season. As for Home, goalkeeper Rudy Khairullah and captain Izzdin Shafiq are out for approximately two months due to knee injuries, while Hami Syahin is out through suspension. However, Shahril Ishak could be in contention to start after marking his return from injury with late substitute appearances in Home’s last two games.

Facts

• Balestier and Home have both lost their last two league matches.
• Balestier are looking to avoid losing three straight games since June 2018.
• Home have already lost five league games, as many as they did last season.
• Home have not defeated Balestier in their last four encounters in all competitions.

 

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