Friday night S-League match - Balestier vs Tampines

This match is telecast live at Channel 5 from Jalan Besar Stadium, neutral ground. So, there is no home advantage for either side.

However, Tampines has four players on national duties playing at Bahrain for the World Cup qualifying group. They will also be without suspended Thai midfielder Santi Chaiyaphuk, and the fitness of Brazilian Peres de Oliveira, according to Tampines assistant coach as he described, "only 50-50".

“Now, the players who have not played must step up and show what they’ve got. But I have every confidence in my players. They’ve done the job before, so I think they can do it again.” Tampines Team Manager said.

On the other side, Balestier Khalsa was the last team to defeat Tampines Rovers in the league – and at the Stags’ home ground, no less – and coach Abdul Karim Razzak was upbeat about his side’s chances against the decimated Stags.

The Tigers go into the match against the 2005 champions looking for their first win in five outings. As their team manager puts it, "For us, we will not have any excuses since they are quite weakened. So no excuses, we must go there and perform well, and we will be looking at the game positively. We have taken points from them before, and at this late stage in the season, we’re desperate for points and will take the game seriously."

The Tigers recent poor form, five games without a win, makes it more compelling for them to take the advantage out of Tampines weakened force thomorrow.

So, my pick is Balesrier win by 2-1.