DPMM vs Hougang United

DPMM and Hougang United are set to face off against each other at the Jalan Besar Stadium in a bottom-half Singapore Premier League showdown.

DPMM’s form has been on a downward spiral since a 2-1 home win over Tanjong Pagar in early May (D1, L2), leaving the home side only six points clear of basement boys Young Lions. Having conceded precisely three goals in two of their last three Premier League matches, they will pray for a strong start, especially after managing just one win in four home league fixtures in the lead-up to this clash (D1, L2). Speaking of the significance of drawing first blood, Adrian Pennock’s men have suffered six defeats in seven league matches after conceding the opening goal this term (W1). With only two Premier League sides bettering DPMM’s record of six first-half home goals in 2023, Pennock has a reason for enthusiasm.

However, visiting Hougang United have gathered momentum ahead of this trip, going from a dreadful run of seven defeats from eight Premier League matches (D1) to three consecutive victories by an aggregate score of 9-3. Interim boss Marko Kraljevic saw his team score precisely three goals in each of those three wins, which was the case in their last league win over DPMMM (3-1 in 2019). But the ‘Cheetahs’ have since lost both league encounters against this opposition by an aggregate 8-4 scoreline, including a memorable 5-4 defeat on their most recent visit to the Jalan Besar Stadium. It’s hard to back Hougang to avoid another H2H upset after losing three of their last four league games away from home (W1).