Ryoya Taniguchi is hoisted by Albirex Niigata (S) team-mate Reo Nishisguchi

SINGAPORE, 23 OCTOBER 2020 – The AIA Singapore Premier League (SPL) action is truly heating up, with unbeaten Albirex Niigata (S) and Lion City Sailors facing off in this week’s standout fixture. In-form Balestier Khalsa face a tricky task away at Geylang International, while win-less sides Young Lions and Tanjong Pagar United clash to round up the action. All LIVE on our Facebook page!

 

Can the Tigers claim another scalp?
Geylang International vs Balestier Khalsa | 24 Oct | 5.30pm | Our Tampines Hub | Singtel Ch 111, StarHub Ch 201

Shuhei Hoshino (9) is one of Balestier’s key attacking threats

Team news: While Balestier do not have any major personnel issues to contend with, Geylang will need to make do without first-choice goalkeeper Zainol Gulam as he serves the first of a two-match suspension for his expulsion last week.

 

Meanwhile Umar Akhbar and Amy Recha are also unavailable for the Eagles due to injuries.

 

Facts

• Balestier have the chance to go five games unbeaten for the first time since October 2015.
• Geylang have won four out of the last five league encounters.
• In the corresponding fixture last season, Geylang ran out 5-0 winners at OTH.

 

Sailors face ultimate litmus test
Albirex Niigata (S) vs Lion City Sailors | 24 Oct | 5.30pm | Jurong East | Singtel Ch 111, StarHub Ch 202

Gabriel Quak came off the bench to help create two goals in the Sailors’ last match

Team news: Young Singaporean midfielder Iman Hakim may not feature after missing the last game due to a knee problem, but regular centre back Rio Sakuma is now fit again and could return to the starting eleven for Albirex.

 

The Sailors will continue to miss the services of Ho Wai Loon, Iqram Rifqi and Amiruldin Asraf through injuries, but Adam Swandi has fully recovered from his serious knee ligament injury and could be in contention for a starting spot – along with Kaishu Yamazaki who was left on the bench as a precaution the last time out.

 

Facts

• Albirex won the last six encounters and were unbeaten in the last nine against the Sailors’ predecessors, Home United, at Jurong East.
• Their last defeat to Home there was in a 2013 RHB Singapore Cup preliminary round clash, where they were defeated 3-2 after extra time courtesy of Song Uiyoung’s 117th-minute winner.
• The last home league defeat in this fixture was back in February 2010 when Shahril Ishak scored late to ensure a 2-1 win for the visitors.
• Albirex have lost just three out of their last 55 home games in all competitions, with two of those coming in the last four.
• Albirex are unbeaten in the last seven league encounters, since a Stipe Plazibat brace sank them 2-0 at Jalan Besar in June 2017.
• Nine of Albirex’s 12 goals so far have been scored in the second half.

 

Targeting first victories
Young Lions vs Tanjong Pagar | 25 Oct | 5.30pm | Jurong West | Singtel Ch 112, StarHub Ch 202

Takahiro Tanaka (right) wins the ball during Tanjong Pagar’s previous match

Team news: With several players missing due to National Service commitments, Young Lions are thin on numbers and are hopeful that midfielder Harhys Stewart will recover from the strain that forced him off early in last week’s 4-0 defeat to Albirex.

 

Meanwhile, defender Delwinder Singh will serve out the final game of his two-match suspension, but Brazilian hot shot Luiz Junior is now fully fit again and could return to the starting eleven to bolster their attack.

 

Facts

• Tanjong Pagar have won the last three encounters.
• Young Lions last defeated the Jaguars in August 2013.
• Young Lions are looking to avoid five straight defeats for the first time since November 2017.
• Tanjong Pagar are targeting their first win since defeating Harimau Muda B 5-0 in October 2014.

 

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