Possible position movements in Malaysia Super League matchday 13

---

BY        ZULHILMI ZAINAL       Follow on Twitter

---

Round 13 of the Malaysia Super League (MSL) will be played over the coming weekend, and the headlining clash surely is the one between leaders Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) and second-placed Perak at Larkin on Saturday.

But regardless of the result of the match, the hosts will be assured of keeping their top spot as they are six points clear at the top. The visitors will surely be going for a win, to slash their gap with JDT, but to also keep their distance from Pahang, Terengganu and Kedah, who are all two points behind. If the Bos Gaurus are unlucky, they could drop down to as low as the fifth place due to defeat.

Apart from JDT and last-placed Negeri Sembilan, PKNS FC in sixth are the only side that will not drop down the standings, even if they lose this weekend. This is because they are separated by five points from PKNP FC below them. But if their stars align, they could reach as high as the third place.

Apart from Kelantan and Negeri who are already in the bottom two positions, two more teams could end up in the last place if things don't go their way this weekend. Selangor in ninth place and Melaka United in tenth are both on 11 points, with Selangor hosting Kelantan on Friday and Melaka playing away to Kedah on the same night.

For Negeri, this is the first round since matchday eight that they have a mathematical chance of leaving the relegation zone, to reach as high as the ninth place. But this will require a win over PKNS at home on Sunday, and favourable results involving the rest of the bottom four sides.

Zulhilmi Zainal