With leaders Home United not in action this week, Albirex Niigata (S) and Warriors FC will both be hoping for victories in their respective matches to go top of the S.League.

Home were initially scheduled to take on Balestier Khalsa on Friday. But, with their crucial AFC Cup clash against Yadanarbon next Tuesday in mind, that match has since been postponed until May.

This means that a path has opened up for both Albirex and Warriors, who are level with the Protectors on 10 points, but behind on goal difference.

Albirex had a bye last week which paved the way for Home. But the Japanese outfit will now have their opportunity to reclaim top spot when they face Hougang United at Jalan Besar Stadium on Friday evening.

Warriors will also be gunning for first spot. However, they will have it all to do on a tricky trip to the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium to face Brunei DPMM FC on Saturday.

Finally, Saturday's other game sees Geylang International look to snap a two-game winless run against bottom side Garena Young Lions.

Here, we take a look at all the potential drama in Round 6 of the S.League:

How many lives do Warriors have?

On the opening week of the season, it looked as though Warriors were headed for a draw against Balestier, only for Shaiful Esah to pop up with an 88th-minute.

At the start of the month, they produced a gritty display to claim a 1-0 triumph over Tampines.

And last weekend, they somehow scored three goals with just eight minutes remaining to come from behind and beat Young Lions 4-3.

One has to wonder just how many lives the Warriors have. While some may call it luck, there is no denying that Razif Onn's charges just refuse to give in, even when the odds are firmly stacked against them.

They will find themselves in another testing situation once again on Saturday when they travel to face a DPMM side desperate to find form after losing three of their first four matches.

In Rafael Ramazotti and Billy Mehmet, DPMM have two of the S.League most imposing strikers. Yet, with Baihakki Khaizan and Kento Fukuda to call upon, Warriors could just be the one team best equipped to handle this twin threat.

Considering how they seem to thrive with their backs to the wall, do not be surprised if Warriors just come back from Bandar Seri Begawan with maximum points.

White Swans set to soar to top spot

Albirex have not exactly rediscovered the form that saw them win all four pieces of silverware on offer in 2016.

Yet, the fact that they are still joint-top in the S.League points to how much more improvement there is to come. They have increasingly looked more at ease with the tactical plan and playing style of new coach Kazuaki Yoshinaga.

The stalwarts are still there to provide the stability in inspirational captain Shuto Inaba, creative playmaker Kento Nagasaki, tireless wing-back Naofumi Tanaka and steadfast goalkeeper Yosuke Nozawa.

But the improvement is expected to come from their newer faces. Thus far, Tsubasa Sano, Ryota Nakai and Yasutaka Yanagi have shown promising signs, without really lighting up the stage yet.

Plenty was also expected from Hougang at the start of the year. But they have slipped to fifth on the table after tasting defeat in their last two matches.

Considering they have lost their last six of their past seven meetings with Albirex, it will take a mighty effort by the Cheetahs to prevent their opponents from going top.

Time for Geylang to show they mean business

After a commendable display in his first season in the top job, Geylang coach Hasrin Jailani was expected to take Geylang further forward this year.

So far, results have not been ideal. But they have shown a couple of positive signs, despite only notching four points from their opening four matches.

Nonetheless, last Saturday's humbling 4-0 loss to Eastern Derby rivals Tampines Rovers will have hurt.

If they are to have any chance of making something of this campaign, then nothing short of victory over Young Lions at Jalan Besar is a must.

The Young Lions are without a point and have conceded 18 goals in five games. Even so, Hasrin will also be making sure his charges do not let any complacency to creep into their game.

Don't forget, the Young Lions found themselves 3-1 up against Warriors last week with only eight minutes to play. They would have notched their first win of 2017 had it not been for a monumental meltdown.

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by GABRIEL TAN

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