Written By: Kenneth Ho

Home United vs Tampines Rovers

(Sunday, 8 Nov, 7:30pm, Yishun Stadium)

Tampines Rovers will have to beat Home United this evening if they do not want to yield the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League title to Brunei DPMM just yet.

As things stand, DPMM are eight points ahead of the Stags with one game left and are poised to celebrate their first-ever league triumph should they beat Balestier Khalsa at home.

But the celebration could come much earlier than the final day of the league, if Tampines fail to pick up maximum points in their two games in hand against Home and Albirex Niigata (S).

Based on form alone, a Tampines victory over Home is achievable given that the Protectors are in a slump of their own right now following three consecutive defeats.

Furthermore, Home will not be at full strength as Yasir Hanapi and R.Aaravin are absent through suspension, while Ambroise Begue might be struggling to be at full fitness after suffering an injury in his last game.

However – given the pressure that Tampines are under – they might put out an uncharacteristically poor defensive display again, as they did in the 4-3 defeat to Balestier.

Against the likes of Kamel Ramdani and Ken Ilso, Tampines coach V.Sundramoorthy will need his defenders to buck up and keep the Protectors at bay.

Another factor that might affect the result too will be fatigue, as both teams will be playing their third game in six days.

While Home can afford to rotate their squad and give their fringe players a run out, Tampines may not choose to do so given the high stakes involved for them.

Suspensions:  Yasir Hanapi (Home United), R.Aaravin (Home United)

Key Men To Watch

Home United: Sirina Camara

A player whose energy seems boundless, Camara might be the key to victory for Home in this game.

As Tampines are trying to overcome fatigue at the moment, they might find it difficult to cope with a left-back who is able to bomb up and down the field with ease.

Tampine Rovers: Isa Halim

An unused substitute in Tampines’ last game, Isa might be called upon to give the Stags some much-needed fresh legs in the middle of the pitch.

A fierce and combative tackler, Isa’s presence can also help Tampines to tighten up their defence.

Home United – WWLLL

05/11/15  Home United 1-2 Albirex Niigata (S) (S.League)

02/11/15  Harimau Muda 1-0 Home United (S.League)

30/10/15  Geylang International 2-1 Home United (S.League)

26/10/15  Home United 2-0 Balestier Khalsa (S.League)

20/10/15  Home United 2-1 Warriors FC (S.League)

Tampines Rovers – WWWDL

05/11/15  Balestier Khalsa 4-3 Tampines Rovers (S.League)

02/11/15  Tampines Rovers 0-0 Warriors FC (S.League)

28/10/15  Brunei DPMM 0-1 Tampines Rovers (S.League)

20/10/15  Geylang International 1-4 Tampines Rovers (S.League)

17/10/15  Tampines Rovers 1-0 Hougang United (S.League)

Head To Head (S.League)

17/05/15 Tampines Rovers 3-0 Home United

13/03/15 Home United 2-0 Tampines Rovers

02/10/14  Home United 0-1 Tampines Rovers

18/05/14 Home United 2-2 Tampines Rovers

21/02/14 Tampines Rovers 1-0 Home United (Charity Shield)