Written by: Shawn Lim

Tampines Rovers vs Brunei DPMM
(Saturday, 1 October, 7.30pm, Jurong West Stadium)

Nothing but a win will do for Tampines Rovers when they welcome Brunei DPMM to the Jurong West Stadium on Saturday night if they want to keep their slim hopes of winning the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League title alive.

The Stags are currently seven points behind league leaders Albirex Niigata (S) and with the season fast coming to a close, they know they cannot afford any more slip-ups as they continue to chase the White Swans.

With two defeats in a row in the league, coupled with crashing out of the AFC Cup competition, it is clear why many are tipping Albirex to win the title over Tampines, who also have not won a competitive match since August.

Injuries and suspension have also derailed the Stags’ progress as key players like Fazrul Nawaz and Shahdan Sulaiman are long-term absentees, while Shakir Hamzah and Billy Mehmet are suspended for the clash against DPMM.

In contrast, the Stags’ opponents on Saturday night, DPMM, are hitting a hot streak of form just as the season reaches its business end, as the Wasps are currently unbeaten in five games.

While the Wasps have seen their defence of their S.League decimated after a poor start to the season, they are currently aiming to finish as high as possible in the league while fending off the likes of Hougang United, Home United and Geylang International.

Steve Kean’s charges can leapfrog the Stags into second place if they achieve maximum points on Saturday night, but will have to do so with captain Rosmin Kamis and Maududi Helmi, who are both suspended for the tie.

Suspension: Maududi Helmi and Rosmin Kamis (Brunei DPMM), Shakir Hamzah and Billy Mehmet (Tampines Rovers)

Tampines Rovers – WWLLD

21/09/16  Tampines Rovers 0-0 Bengaluru FC (AFC Cup)
14/09/16  Bengaluru FC 1-0 Tampines Rovers (AFC Cup)
10/09/16  Home United 0-1 Tampines Rovers (S.League)
24/08/16  Ceres La Salle 2-3 Tampines Rovers (Singapore Cup)
21/08/16  Tampines Rovers 2-1 Ceres La Salle (Singapore Cup)

Brunei DPMM – DWWWW

26/09/16  Brunei DPMM 5-3 Garena Young Lions (S.League)
23/09/16  Brunei DPMM 3-1 Home United (S.League)
26/08/16  Hougang United 1-2 Brunei DPMM (S.League)
19/08/16  Brunei DPMM 3-0 Warriors FC (S.League)
11/08/16  Geylang International 1-1 Brunei DPMM (S.League)

Head To Head (S.League)

19/03/16  Brunei DPMM 1-2 Tampines Rovers
28/10/15  Brunei DPMM 1-0 Tampines Rovers
01/08/15  Tampines Rovers 1-1 Brunei DPMM
10/05/15  Brunei DPMM 2 – 0 Tampines Rovers
31/10/14  Tampines Rovers 2 – 1 Brunei DPMM