SINGAPORE, 4 MARCH 2020 – We kick off this week’s AIA Singapore Premier League (SPL) action with two cracking games on Friday – the returning Tanjong Pagar United host much-fancied Lion City Sailors, while title contenders Brunei DPMM and Tampines Rovers face off. Leaders Albirex Niigata (S) are away to Balestier Khalsa a day later, while Geylang International entertain Young Lions on Wednesday night. ALL games LIVE on the SPL Facebook page!

 

Tanjong Pagar United vs Lion City Sailors | 6 Mar | 7.45pm | Jurong East | Singtel Ch 112 and StarHub Ch 202
Team news: Tanjong Pagar have the majority of their squad available for their first league game since 2014, including former Brazil Under-17 forward Luiz Júnior. Midfield hardman Raihan Rahman should miss out as he recovers from surgery.

 

The Sailors will parade their new signings such as Hassan Sunny, Shahdan Sulaiman and Gabriel Quak. Goalkeeper Rudy Khairullah and centre-back Faizal Roslan are suspended, while midfielder Hami Syahin is ruled out due to National Service commitments.

 

Facts

• Tanjong Pagar are win-less in the last seven head-to-head encounters.
• The Jaguars’ last success in this fixture came in a 1-0 win in April 2012, with Delwinder Singh playing the full 90 minutes that night.
• Tanjong Pagar’s Kenji Rusydi, Faritz Hameed and Suhairi Sabri are in line to make their debuts against their former employers.

 

Brunei DPMM vs Tampines Rovers | 6 Mar | 8.15pm | Bandar Seri Begawan | StarHub Ch 202 (same-day delayed telecast)
Team news: Bar the suspended Abdul Mu’iz Sisa, DPMM are virtually at full-strength. As for Tampines, they will continue to miss out on the services of captain Yasir Hanapi – who is serving the second of a six-match suspension due to a Disciplinary Committee (DC) verdict from 2019.

 

Facts

• DPMM’s only defeat at home in 12 games last season came in 1-0 loss against Tampines in September.
• Tampines have won five and drawn once in their last eight visits to the Hassanal Bolkiah.

 

Balestier Khalsa vs Albirex Niigata (S) | 7 Mar | 5.30pm | Bishan | Singtel Ch 111, StarHub Ch 202
Team news: Balestier will welcome midfield playmaker Kristijan Krajček back from suspension as they look to build on a promising – albeit fruitless display – in their opening loss to Tampines.

 

Daniel Goh may not be fit enough to make his Albirex debut just yet, but the White Swans should have enough firepower as they seek a second straight win to remain top.

 

Facts

• Balestier have a wretched record against Albirex, having drawn twice and won none of their last 15 meetings in all competitions.
• The Tigers last beat Albirex back in October 2015 – a 1-0 win which captain Zaiful Nizam started, Hazzuwan Halim came on as a late substitute while Faizal Raffi was an unused sub.

 

Geylang vs Young Lions | 11 Mar | 7.45pm | Our Tampines Hub | Singtel Ch 111, StarHub Ch 201
Team news: Geylang will be happy to have striker Amy Recha back from suspension after a chastening opening-day defeat to Albirex, but Shahrin Saberin and Fareez Farhan will miss two due to their dismissals in that game. Darren Teh and Nur Luqman are also out injured, although they will hope that Khairul Nizam recovers in time to stake a claim for inclusion.

 

On the other hand, Young Lions do not have issues in regards to personnel.

 

Facts

• Geylang have not won their last three home matches against the Young Lions.
• The last time Geylang lost their opening two league matches was back in 2014.
• Young Lions’ Ilhan Fandi has scored three goals in as many starts in the SPL.

 

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First and third photos courtesy of A•K•K Design; second photo from Lion City Sailors

 

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