5 talking points ahead of Match Week 6 of the Singapore Premier League
After a hiatus for FIFA international games and the Singapore Cup tournament, the Singapore Premier League returns to action as battles reignite across stadiums. There are a host of new signings eager to make their mark and teams looking to restake their claims for the season ahead. Here are five questions to ponder in the first match week of 2026.
Can the Young Lions turn things around?
The Young Lions are still searching for their first win of the 2025/26 season. That winless run has seen them concede 17 goals and score only four.
There is little respite for Firdaus Kassim’s charges, with an in-form BG Tampines Rovers awaiting them in their first game of 2026.
Their task is compounded by the loss of key centre-back Raoul Suhaimi, along with midfield duo Ong Yu En and Rae Peh, who have departed for BG Tampines Rovers – their next opponents.
But the Young Lions have added senior figures in Singapore international goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud and centre-back Abdil Qaiyyim, providing much-needed leadership at the back.
With the Stags eager to avenge their recent Singapore Cup defeat, the Young Lions face a stern test, though any positives could provide a timely boost as they seek to turn their season around.
BG Tampines Rovers vs Young Lions | 16 January | 7:30pm | Our Tampines Hub | Watch on Youtube or meWATCH
Can the White Swans make up ground?
Albirex Niigata (S) currently find themselves in uncharted territory, sitting fifth in the table and eight points off the summit, albeit with a game in hand. High expectations surrounded the White Swans ahead of their final Singapore Premier League game of 2025 against the Lion City Sailors, but a one-sided 3–0 defeat highlighted the growing gap between two of the league’s leading sides.
The White Swans’ Singapore Cup run also ended in somewhat underwhelming fashion, with Albirex slumping to a meek 4–0 defeat against BG Tampines Rovers in the first leg of the semi-finals. They triumphed 3-1 in the second leg, but were eliminated.
The transfer window brought changes, with South Korean forward Lee Dong Yeol released following a goalless spell, alongside Amy Recha. In came full-back Zulqarnaen Suzliman, on loan from the Sailors, and dynamic forward Ryang Hyonju, who has represented North Korea at the youth level.
With their title ambitions slipping away, an assignment against a bruised Tanjong Pagar United side – that has recorded four losses in their five SPL games so far – appears the ideal opportunity for the White Swans to rediscover some momentum.
Albirex Niigata (S) vs Tanjong Pagar United | 17 January | 7:30pm | Jurong East Stadium | Watch on Youtube or meWATCH
Can Balestier Khalsa continue to turn heads?
A surprise package of the Singapore Premier League so far, Marko Kraljevic’s Balestier Khalsa have proven their mettle with a string of credible results. Balestier are currently fourth in the league and just five points ahead of Hougang United. The Tigers also recently enjoyed a respectable cup run, falling to eventual winners, Lion City Sailors in the semi-finals.
Tigers’ top scorer Tin Matic has recorded six goals and three assists in 11 games, and he remains Balestier’s chief attacking threat moving forward. However, defensive frailties remain a concern for the Tigers. They have conceded 12 goals in their five league outings, along with an additional seven in four cup games.
While Balestier’s expansive approach has delivered returns in attack, questions remain over whether the Tigers can balance that with greater defensive stability as opponents look to exploit the space they concede.
Can new Cheetahs frontman hit the ground running?
Goals have been hard to come by for Hougang United who have scored just four in five league matches — the joint-lowest tally alongside Young Lions. The departure of electric forward Yotsakorn Burapha at the end of his loan spell also left the Cheetahs in urgent need of additional threat up front.
They have since secured the services of Jaushua Sotirio from Sydney FC, a versatile attacker capable of operating anywhere across the frontline. An AFC Champions League winner, Sotirio arrives with a wealth of experience, having made 168 A-League appearances for clubs like Western Sydney Wanderers, Wellington Phoenix, and Newcastle Jets.
Hougang fans will be eager to see how he links up with Farhan Zulkifli and Victor Blasco as the Cheetahs look to gain ground on the top half of the table.
Balestier Khalsa vs Hougang United | 18 January | 7:30pm | Bishan Stadium | Watch on Youtube or meWATCH
Can Anderson Lopes translate his form to the league?
Blockbuster signing Anderson Lopes arrived in Singapore amid much fanfare, but his early outings in a Lion City Sailors shirt left much to be desired, after he failed to find the net in his first four appearances.
However, a six-goal blitz in two games against Tanjong Pagar and Selangor FC in the ACL 2 in October seemed to mark the arrival of the prolific goalscorer that Sailors fans have been waiting for.
Crucial goals against regional rivals Persib Bandung and Bangkok United soon followed, before Lopes offered a timely reminder of why he was once regarded as one of the most feared strikers in Asia with a clinical display of power in the Singapore Cup Final.
10 goals in 17 appearances across all competitions is hardly a poor return, and Sailors fans are hoping for more as Lopes continues to gel with his new teammates.
For now, the momentum is firmly on the Brazilian’s side, and he will be eager to light up the domestic league.
Geylang International vs Lion City Sailors | 18 January | 7:30pm | Our Tampines Hub | Watch on Youtube or meWATCH
Tickets are available on Trip.com.
