Written by: Aysha Ridzuan

Tampines Rovers vs Warriors FC
(30 April, Saturday, Jurong West Stadium, 7.30pm)

Tampines Rovers will host Warriors as they look to bounce back to form at Jurong West Stadium on Saturday night.

Coming into this game on the back of a shocking loss 3-2 loss to Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi in Bangladesh in the AFC Cup and having won only two out of their last five games, the Stags will need to do everything to get back on track.

Tampines are currently second in the league, six points behind the White Swans with one game in hand. But if they failed to win, Brunei DPMM could overtake them in the second place, provided that the Wasps beat Geylang International on the same night.

A lack of proper rest in the past week has taken its toll on their key players, with Jordan Webb and Jermaine Pennant set to miss the Warriors game.

However, Stags coach V.Sundramoorthy still have options to form a strong team to avoid losing any more points as he has depth in his squad.

Meanwhile, Warriors, who are currently in sixth place, similarly will need to start winning again or risk being left behind in the standings.

The absence of Webb and Pennant should be a good news for Warriors, but defensively they still need a bit of work after conceding 11 goals in seven games and if they are not careful, the likes of Billy Mehmet or Fazrul Nawaz could hurt them.

Warriors, however may have to make do without Shaiful Esah who is still not completely fit despite getting some minutes of the previous game against Home United. .

Key Men To Watch

Tampines Rovers FC: Billy Mehmet

 

With Jordan Webb and Jermaine Pennant out of the game, Stags will count on Billy Mehmet to get on the scoresheet.

The Irish-born Brit scored a goal in Bangladesh last Tuesday and with more support from the midfield, he can definitely hurt their opponent.

Warriors FC: Jonathan Behe

 

As the second top-scorer in the league so far with seven goals in eight games, Behe has been a crucial player for Warriors.

His ability to find space means Tampines will definitely be looking to stop him from any opportunities to score.

Tampines Rovers – WLLWL

26/04/16  Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club 3-2 Tampines Rovers (AFC Cup)
21/04/16  Geylang International 0-1 Tampines Rovers (S.League)
16/04/16  Albirex Niigata (S) 1-0 Tampines Rovers (S.League)
12/04/16  Ceres La Salle 2-1 Tampines Rovers (AFC Cup)
07/04/16  Tampines Rovers 1-0 Balestier Khalsa (S.League)

Warriors FC – DWDLL

22/04/16  Warriors FC 1-2 Home United (S.League)
14/04/16  Warriors FC 0-1 Hougang United (S.League)
01/04/16  Geylang International 2-2 Warriors FC (S.League)
18/03/16  Warriors FC 2-0 Albirex Niigata (S) (S.League)
11/03/16  Balestier Khalsa 1-1 Warriors FC (S.League)

Head to Head (S.League)

02/11/15  Tampines Rovers 0-0 Warriors
07/08/15  Warriors 2-1 Tampines Rovers
17/04/15  Tampines Rovers 2-3 Warriors
23/10/14  Warriors 2-1 Tampines Rovers
29/08/14  Warriors 2-0 Tampines Rovers