Saifullah Akbar carries the ball for the Lion City Sailors in their previous game against the Young Lions

SINGAPORE, 3 NOVEMBER 2020 – The AIA Singapore Premier League (SPL) action keeps on coming, with a clash between rivals Lion City Sailors and Hougang United the standout amongst three midweek fixtures. Leaders Tampines Rovers will host Young Lions in a top-vs-bottom clash, while Geylang International visit win-less Tanjong Pagar United to round off the action. All LIVE on our Facebook page and YouTube channel!

 

ALSO READ: Week 7 Roundup

 

Chance for table-topping Stags to go four clear
Tampines Rovers vs Young Lions | 4 Nov | 7.45pm | Our Tampines Hub | Singtel Ch 111, StarHub Ch 202

Madhu Mohana comes away with the ball for Tampines Rovers against Albirex Niigata (S)

Team news: It is good news on the Tampines front with club captain Yasir Hanapi now available for selection after missing the first five games of the season through suspension, as they look to extend their lead at the top to four points.

 

As for the Young Lions, the problems keep on coming with key attacker Shahrulnizam Mazlan a doubt after injuring himself in the pre-match warm-up in their 5-0 loss to the Sailors, while midfielder Harhys Stewart is unlikely to be ready as well.

 

Facts

• The last two encounters ended in 1-1 draws, with Young Lions coming from behind on both occasions.
• Tampines are undefeated in the last three encounters since the Young Lions came from behind to win 2-1 in August 2018.
• The last time Tampines lost a home game against Young Lions was in October 2015 – 1-0 at Jurong West. Current Stags Syazwan Buhari, Jordan Webb and Amirul Adli played for the visitors then.
• Tampines have scored the first goal in five out of the last six home matches against Young Lions.
• Webb is just two goals away from reaching 100 SPL goals.
• Young Lions head coach Nazri Nasir led the Stags to two league titles and three Singapore Cups in the 2000s as a player.

 

Hasrin looking to take down former comrade
Tanjong Pagar United vs Geylang International | 4 Nov | 7.45pm | Jurong East | Singtel Ch 112, StarHub Ch 204

Yann Motta nicks the ball for Tanjong Pagar United against Hougang United

Team news: The Jaguars will miss attacker Ignatius Ang for the rest of the season due to a ligament problem, while captain Faritz Hameed remains doubtful after missing the last two matches.

 

Hairul Syirhan should start in goal for the Eagles again with first-choice custodian Zainol Gulam serving the last of his two-match ban, while midfielder Umar Akhbar is unlikely to be fit yet.

 

Facts

• Geylang are undefeated in the last six encounters, with four of them being draws.
• Tanjong Pagar’s last win over Geylang came in March 2012 – 1-0 at Queenstown. Current Jaguars fitness coach Hafiz Osman scored the winner, while Delwinder Singh and Geylang’s Amy Recha are the only ones still with their respective clubs.
• Tanjong Pagar have won just one out of their last five home games against Geylang.
• There have been three or more goals scored in each of Geylang’s last seven matches.
• Hasrin Jailani and Noor Ali are facing off for the first time as opposing coaches. Both had worked together at Geylang as head coach and assistant respectively for one and a half years, before Noor took over the reins in June 2017.

 

All eyes on Plazibat’s Hougang reunion
Lion City Sailors vs Hougang United | 4 Nov | 7.45pm | Bishan | Singtel Ch 113, StarHub Ch 201

Nazrul Nazari executes an acrobatic volley during Hougang United’s previous game against Tanjong Pagar United

Team news: There are no major issues for the Sailors,  with key midfielder Shahdan Sulaiman set to return to the first eleven following a half-hour runout as a substitute the last time out after recovering from injury.

 

Meanwhile, Hougang will continue to miss the likes of Sahil Suhaimi and M. Anumanthan for a considerable amount of time.

 

Facts

• Hougang won all three encounters (scoring five and conceding none) with Home United, the Sailors’ predecessor, in 2019, after a six-game win-less streak prior to that.
• Stipe Plazibat scored in four out of five matches against Hougang when he was with Home in 2017.
• There have been three or more goals scored in each of Lion City Sailors’ last four matches.
• Sailors’ Hassan Sunny kept a clean sheet the last time he faced Hougang – a 2-0 away victory in October 2017.
• A player of either club has scored against their ex-employers in four of the last five encounters – Faris Ramli (twice), Fazrul Nawaz and M. Anumanthan.

 

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