Balestier Khalsa vs Tampines Rovers
(Thursday, 5 Nov, 7:30pm, Toa Payoh Stadium)

Neither side can afford to drop points when Balestier Khalsa host Tampines Rovers in a vital clash at the Toa Payoh Stadium on Thursday evening.

Both teams trail league leaders Brunei DPMM in the title race by five points, although Tampines do have two games in hand.

The Bruneian side’s defeat to Geylang International on Tuesday renewed hope for both teams, but they will require maximum points in the remaining games to have a realistic chance of catching DPMM.

1. Sundramoorthy stated it clearly following his side’s draw against Warriors FC on Monday.

“We need other teams to do us a favour now, and we have to win all our remaining matches,” Sundram said.

As for Balestier coach Marko Kraljevic, he conceded that the title race was over for them following their draw against Hougang United.

But with DPMM still to play Balestier on the final day of the season, it is still plausible for the Tigers to lift the trophy at the end of the season.

Add in the fact that defending champions Warriors FC will be out to prove a point or two against DPMM this Friday, three points from this fixture will be massive for both teams.

With nothing to lose too, expect both teams to go all out as they strive for the victory.

Key Men to Watch

Balestier Khalsa: Poh Yifeng

Poh may not be the most glamorous of players, but he gets on with his job effectively.

The one-time Singapore international has been a standout player this season, and is arguably the one player that makes the Balestier team tick from the engine room.

Against Tampines, Poh will need to be at his best once more and try to help the Tigers dominate.

Tampines Rovers: Rodrigo Tosi

Balestier’s defence has been one of the toughest to unlock this season, and Tampines will be relying on Tosi to do just that.

An early goal will definitely go a long way in helping Tampines to achieve a victory, and Tosi is the kind of player that one can rely on to knock in the goals.

Balestier Khalsa – WWWLD

01/11/15       Hougang United 1-1 Balestier Khalsa (S.League)

26/10/15       Home United 2-0 Balestier Khalsa (S.League)
19/10/15       Balestier Khalsa 1-0 Courts Young Lions (S.League)
16/10/15       Balestier Khalsa 1-0 Albirex Niigata (S) (S.League)
27/09/15       Harimau Muda 0-2 Balestier Khalsa (S.League)

Tampines Rovers – WWWWD

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)
27/09/15       Courts Young Lions 1-3 Tampines Rovers (S.League)

Head to Head (S.League)

21/08/15       Tampines Rovers 0-0 Balestier Khalsa
22/04/15       Balestier Khalsa 1-1 Tampines Rovers
18/10/14       Tampines Rovers 3-1 Balestier Khalsa
24/06/14       Balestier Khalsa 0-2 Tampines Rovers
13/04/14       Tampines Rovers 3-1 Balestier Khalsa