Lion City vs Tampines Rovers

Bishan Stadium is the venue as Lion City and Tampines Rovers go head-to-head in a mouth-watering Singapore Premier League showdown.

Last season’s heartbreaking runner-up finish hasn’t softened Lion City’s ambition to land their fourth Singapore Premier League title, as witnessed by the team’s promising 83% unbeaten ratio in the opening 12 league rounds (W8, D2, L2). But despite winning back-to-back games in the build-up to this clash, the ‘Sailors’ sit four points adrift of pacesetters Albirex Niigata, though it has nothing to do with their home performances. Indeed, Risto Vidakovic’s men have been relentless on home turf this season, winning all five league outings by an aggregate score of 15-4, including a dramatic 3-2 victory over non-other than Niigata last time out. Lion City’s attacking set-up often sparks into life after the break, with ten of their 15 home league goals netted this season coming in the second half of play (67%).

In the meantime, Tampines Rovers have hit a purple patch since a 3-2 home loss to Balestier Khalsa in early May, winning their subsequent three league games without conceding. Having lost fewer games than any other Premier League team this term (1), Tampines’ pursuit of a first top-flight title since 2013 is off and running as they commence this round one point below top-placed Niigata. Despite losing their last three league visits to Lion City, the ‘Stags’ won’t bother much about their recent misfortunes at Bishan Stadium, aware of their unrivaled strength on the road. Gavin lee’s lads come into proceedings as the only Premier League side to go unbeaten in every away league match this season (W5, D1), conceding a division-low two goals across six travels.