Leaders Albirex Niigata take on second-placed Warriors FC at the Jurong East Stadium in what will be their seventh S.League clash of 2017 season on Saturday.
The hosts head into the match on the back of a 3-0 win over Balestier Khalsa in their last league game on 21 April at the Jalan Besar Stadium. On the other hand, Warriors were held to a 2-2 draw by a visiting Home United team last Saturday.
However, with both teams remaining unbeaten in the ongoing tournament so far, tomorrow's match will provide them an opportunity to lay down an early marker.
Warriors have made a good start to the new season, putting behind the disappointment of last season as they finished above Garena Young Lions at the second-last spot. The additions of veteran campaigners Baihakki Khaizan and Shahril Ishak has worked wonders for Razif Onn's men, who are sitting at the second place on the league table, two points adrift leaders Albirex.
Apart from Ishak, who has scored three and assisted thrice so far, former Tampines winger Jordan Webb and Joel Tshibamba's presence in the front is adding firepower to the team, who have already scored 15 goals, one less than Albirex's count of 16.
However, there are problems at the back as they have conceded 10 so far this season but the Warriors have shown fight whenever they have trailed and have back to overturn deficits and collect crucial points. For a team that has surpassed expectations so far, the visit to Jurong East Stadium will be their biggest test as the defending champions have continued from where they left last season.
Albirex have lost three of their last five meetings against the Warriors, but Kazuaki Yoshinaga's side, which has conceded only once at home this season, looks well-placed to better the record.
Team News
Albirex
Possible XI: Akiyama, Tanaka, Inaba, Nakai, Kamata, Sano, Nagasaki, Sakamoto, Yanagi, Matoda, Nazawa
Warriors
Possible XI: Juma'at, Osman, Baihakki, Fukuda, Ong, Loon, Ishak, Kasman, Webb, Nor, Tshibamba
