Written by: Shawn Lim

Albirex Niigata (S) vs Tampines Rovers
(Wednesday, 26 October, 7.45pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)

A preview of the RHB Singapore Cup 2016 final will take place on Wednesday night when newly-crowned Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League champions Albirex Niigata (S) and Tampines Rovers face each other in their final game of the season at Jalan Besar Stadium.

The White Swans sealed their first-ever league title in their 3-0 defeat of Hougang United to kill the Stags’ hopes of catching up with them. Tampines also did not do themselves any favour by dropping points in crucial matches in the business end of the season.

However, with the Singapore Cup final just a few days away from this clash, both sides are keen to use this game as a dress rehearsal to fine-tune their final preparations for the cup final.

It remains to be seen if both coaches will make drastic changes to their squad in order to keep key players fresh for the cup final as Albirex are seeking for a quadruple while the Stags are hoping not to end the season trophy-less.

With fringe players from both sides set to be given a run-out and the White Swans casting one eye on the league title that they will lift at the end of the game, the Stags could spring a surprise or two on the league champions.

Tampines will miss Afiq Yunos and Mustafic Fahrudin through injury and suspension respectively, while Albirex have a full-squad to call upon.

Suspension: Mustafic Fahrudin (Tampines Rovers)

Albirex Niigata (S) – WWLWL

20/10/16  Home United 3-1 Albirex Niigata (S) (S.League)
14/10/16  Albirex Niigata (S) 3-0 Hougang United (S.League)
30/09/16  Warriors FC 2-0 Albirex Niigata (S) (S.League)
22/09/16  Albirex Niigata (S) 1-0 Geylang International FC (S.League)
13/09/16  Balestier Khalsa 0-1 Albirex Niigata (S) (Singapore Cup)

Tampines Rovers – LDLWW

22/10/16  Tampines Rovers 2-0 Balestier Khalsa (S.League)
15/10/16  Garena Young Lions 1-3 Tampines Rovers (S.League)
01/10/16  Tampines Rovers 0-1 Brunei DPMM (S.League)
21/09/16  Tampines Rovers 0-0 Bengaluru FC (AFC Cup)
14/09/16  Bengaluru FC 1-0 Tampines Rovers (AFC Cup)

Head to Head (S.League)

24/06/16  Tampines Rovers 1-0 Albirex Niigata (S)
16/04/16  Albirex Niigata (S) 1-0 Tampines Rovers
13/11/15  Albirex Niigata (S) 0-1 Tampines Rovers
06/05/15  Tampines Rovers 0-0 Albirex Niigata (S)
02/03/15  Albirex Niigata (S) 0-1 Tampines Rovers