S.League Big Bet Preview: Home United look good for three points; Albirex Niigata to power past Tanjong Pagar

After a two-week international break, an unlikely top-of-the-table televised clash is the exact way to sweep the cobwebs off the team.Two useful wins against strugglers Courts Young Lions and Geylang United have propelled them to Woodlands to their current dizzy position of second but Albirex Niigata is calibre of another level. 

With that said, theprevious scoreline against Tanjong Pagar slightly flattered them the Japanese side with the match-changing goals all coming in the final 14 minutes.

Receiving a bye in the last round coupled with the international break meant debutants Harimau Muda has effectively missed competitive football for almost a month! 

However quality should take over any early signs of rustiness when they take on minnows Tanjong Pagar United. Despite having the presence of experienced locals Jonathan Xu and Hafiz Osman in their backline, they are still facing problems stopping goals. 

Not dissimilar to their previous opponents Albirex, the Young Tigers are another bunch of young players who display an abundance of enthusiasm in attack.  

Wide men Wan Zack Haikal and Wan Zaharulnizam coupled with the physical presence of Thamil Arasu upfront should prove too much for the Jaguars defence again. 

In the first Saturday game of the year, an attractive Hougang United side will host a struggling Geylang United side.  

Despite losing a number of key players in the off-season, the home side seems to maintain their steady improvement from yesteryear.  

Croatian playmaker Ante Barac and Canadian wing wonder Jordan Webb was not the only standout performers with experienced locals Azhar Sairudin and Sobrie Mazelan putting in sterling performances as well.  

English defender Oliver Nicholas came and left in a huff, leaving a gaping hole at the back which has not been adequately sealed up yet.  

Sunday night will see the first uniformed derby of the year and both sides are suffering unusual slow start to their season so far.  

Despite having key midfielders John Wilkinson and Shi Jiayi back to complement the all-star strikeforce of Frederic Mendy and Shotaro Ihata, they have to rely on French defender Franklin Anzite to save a point the last time out. 

Meanwhile the highly-touted Japanese trio of Tatsuro Inui, Shimpei Sakurada and Seiji Saito has yet to inspire the Warriors so far. 

One player that will interest fans of both teams will be national legend Indra Sahdan who returned to Home after a spell with the Warriors.  

The final match of the week will see high flying Balestier Khalsa take on Gombak United. 

Following up a decent draw against Home United with an unlikely win over champions Tampines Rovers, the Tigers certainly relish playing the role of ‘underdogs’.  

However it remains to be seen how they fare when they take on the tag of ‘favorites’ this time round. 

Just like Balestier, Gombak stole a point away from Bishan while they certainly did not shame themselves during the opening loss to Harimau Muda.