The S.League is back this weekend after the international break and there can be no bigger match to resume proceedings than Saturday evening's top-of-the-table clash between Albirex Niigata (S) and Home United at Bishan Stadium.

There is also an equally tantalising clash on offer on the same night, with traditional heavyweights Tampines Rovers and Warriors FC locking horns at Jurong West Stadium.

Meanwhile, Sunday's action sees ambitious Hougang United travel to Bandar Seri Begawan for a tricky test against Brunei DPMM FC, while Balestier Khalsa and Garena Young Lions face off with both teams looking for their first points of the campaign.

Here are the four games to watch in Round 4 of the S.League:

1. Home can prove title credentials against champions

All the early-season talk has been about Home and how they are shaping as genuine title contenders following 6-1 and 3-1 victories over Young Lions and DPMM.

In particular, the triumph over DPMM in Brunei, a traditionally difficult venue to get a result, was particularly impressive. They found themselves under severe pressure, yet managed to come away with the win.

There have already been very promising signs from the Protectors, who have been hugely bolstered by the signings of Hassan Sunny and Stipe Plazibat. And with former hot prospects Faris Ramli and Khairul Nizam looking like they could be finally about to deliver on their full potential.

Nonetheless, they will face their biggest test of the season when they entertain Albirex, who won every piece of silverware on offer last year in dominant fashion.

There have been fewer superlatives thrown their way in 2017. But there can be no denying that the White Swans are as strong an outfit as they were.

The fact that they no longer have an unhealthy reliance on Atsushi Kawata for goals could also work in their favour, as opponents can no longer channel on their efforts on stopping one key player.

These are the only two teams left with a 100 percent record after three rounds.

Something will have to give on Saturday, which only adds to the intrigue in Bishan on Saturday.

2. More than pride at stake for Tampines, Warriors

As the S.League's two most successful clubs with a combined 14 titles to their names, there is never any shortage of motivation when Warriors and Tampines face off.

But, more than just being about pride or bragging rights, Saturday's clash between the two could go a long way in influencing their fortunes this year.

It has already been an eventful campaign for Tampines. It began when they parted ways with former coach Akbar Nawas just one game into 2017.

His replacement, Jurgen Raab, has since overseen three wins and three losses. This inconsistency is something that will have to be addressed if they are to get anywhere close to their aim of winning silverware.

Their victories in the league over Hougang and Balestier were not exactly convincing. Coupled with embarrassing AFC Cup defeats to Ceres-Negros and Ha Noi, the Stags still have plenty to prove.

Likewise, Warriors have not exactly made a poor start to the year. But they needed a late goal to see off Balestier, before failing to hold on to a winning position in their last outing, drawing 1-1 at home to Geylang International.

The positives are there for Razif Onn's charges. Veteran forward Shahril Ishak is looking like he could soon rediscover the form that made him the best player in Singapore for several years.

However, foreign imports Jordan Webb and Joel Tshibamba, who only made his debut against Geylang, will need to be firing on all cylinders if Warriors are to reclaim their place at the summit.

There is no better time for them to start than against Tampines on Saturday.

3. Must-win clash between Tigers and Young Lions

Balestier and Garena Young Lions occupied the bottom two spots in the league in 2016. Already, many are tipping them for the same fate this term.

That is slightly harsh, considering the Tigers have been competitive in their three outings so far. And the Young Lions, who largely make up the Singapore under-22 side, are evidently building towards August's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur.

Still, football is about the results and both teams know that another bottom-two finish will be viewed as a failure.

Perhaps, more importantly for the Young Lions, confidence and knowing what it is like to win will be crucial to their medal prospects at the SEA Games.

If they do not start winning soon, one can only fear the worst when they make the trip up north.

4. Cheetahs can show they mean business at DPMM

Former champions, against a side who believe they are taking all the necessary steps required to be one -- that is the plot for Sunday's match at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium.

A preseason of investment saw Hougang United install various state-of-the-art facilities and equipment at their home stadium. They also brought in a talented young coach who signed an impressive list of players. As a result, Hougang find themselves third on the table after three rounds.

If this is where they sit come the end of the season, it is likely that the club hierarchy will find themselves fairly satisfied. But, for that to happen, the Cheetahs will need to regularly grind out results in fixtures that they previously would have accepted defeat in.

A daunting trip to Bandar Seri Begawan, where they have never tasted victory before, is one such game.

And, although DPMM have lost two from two this season, that will only serve to further motivate them as they look to give their fans something to cheer about.

While Philippe Aw's Hougang are brimming with quality in midfield and attack, they have looked thin in the heart of defence, with the likes of M. Anumanthan and Zulfahmi Arifin deployed as makeshift centre-backs.

Against a DPMM attack boasting powerful forwards Rafael Ramazotti and Billy Mehmet, how solid the Cheetahs are at the back could be as integral as how dangerous the likes of Azhar Sairudin, Fumiya Kogure and Pablo Rodriguez are up front.

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by GABRIEL TAN

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