by Chuck Sommers
Thursday, Mar 30, 2023
Time: 8:30 a.m. ET
Venue: Town Square, Our Tampines Hub, Singapore
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: NL
BetMGM: NL
Caesars: NL
Season record
Home United: 4-0-1
Lion City Sailors: 4-1-0
Home United - Lion City Sailors preview and analysis
On March 31, 2023, Home United will host Tampines Rovers at the Bishan Stadium in a highly anticipated game in the AIA Singapore Premier League. Both teams have started the season in impressive fashion, and this game promises to be an exciting affair between two teams with different playing styles.
Home United, who have rebranded themselves as Lion City Sailors, are the reigning champions of the Singapore Premier League, having won the title in the 2022 season. They are known for their attacking style of play, with their midfielders and forwards often combining to produce some breathtaking football.
Tampines Rovers, on the other hand, are known for their physicality and disciplined approach to the game. They are one of the most successful teams in the league's history, having won the title on five occasions, and will be looking to add to their trophy cabinet this season.
Heading into the game, both teams have had a strong start to the season. Lion City Sailors have won three of their opening four games, scoring eight goals in the process. Their attacking trio of Gabriel Quak, Song Ui-young, and Shahril Ishak have been in excellent form, with Quak and Song both scoring three goals each in the league so far.
Tampines Rovers, meanwhile, have won two and drawn two of their opening four games, conceding just two goals in the process. Their defense has been rock solid, with goalkeeper Syazwan Buhari producing some outstanding saves to keep his team in games.
One player to watch in the game will be Lion City Sailor's Korean midfielder, Song Ui-young. Song has been one of the standout players in the league in recent years, with his technical ability and eye for goal making him a dangerous player for opposition teams to deal with. He will be looking to continue his impressive start to the season against Tampines Rovers.
For Tampines Rovers, all eyes will be on their striker, Boris Kopitovic. The Montenegrin forward has been in good form this season, scoring two goals in four games. He will be looking to add to his tally against Lion City Sailors and prove why he is one of the most lethal strikers in the league.
Overall, this promises to be an exciting match between two teams with different playing styles. Lion City Sailors will be looking to dominate possession and create chances through their midfielders and forwards, while Tampines Rovers will be looking to soak up pressure and hit their opponents on the counter-attack.
One of the key battles in the game will be in midfield, where Lion City Sailor's Hariss Harun will be up against Tampines Rovers' Yasir Hanapi. Harun is a dynamic midfielder who can break up play and start attacks with his passing, while Hanapi is a more technical player who likes to keep the ball moving and create chances for his teammates.
Another key factor in the game could be the performances of the two goalkeepers, Lion City Sailor's Rudy Khairullah and Tampines Rovers' Syazwan Buhari. Both keepers have been in good form this season, making some crucial saves to keep their teams in games. If either keeper can produce a match-winning performance, it could be the difference between the two sides.
In terms of team news, Lion City Sailors will be without their defender, Amiruldin Asraf, who is suspended after receiving a red card in their previous game. Tampines Rovers, on the other hand, have no major injury concerns and are expected to field their strongest team for the game.
Prediction
Looking forward to how the Lion City Sailors get this going at home. I love that name. It's awesome. Lion City 2, Home United 0
Looking forward to how the Lion City Sailors get this going at home. I love that name. It's awesome. Lion City 2, Home United 0
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
