The Singapore Premier League (SPL) returns for another week of competitive action and drama. With teams tussling at the top to fresh beginnings elsewhere, here are five storylines to keep an eye out for in this round of fixtures.
Tigers look to get campaign back on track
After a promising start to their Singapore Premier League season, a run of poor results has seen Balestier Khalsa slip down the table. The Tigers have now lost all four of their league matches since the turn of the year, conceding 15 goals in the process. Although those defeats came against tough opponents such as Lion City Sailors and BG Tampines Rovers, Balestier will be eager to get their season back on track against a Young Lions side still searching for form.
They will be boosted by the return of key forward Jakov Katusa, who made his first appearance of 2026 with a second-half cameo against BG Tampines. However, goals have been hard to come by for top scorer Tin Matic, who has yet to find the net this year. Facing a team that has lost eight of its nine matches, the Tigers will certainly fancy their chances of ending their poor run of form.
Balestier Khalsa vs Young Lions | 13 February | 7:30pm | Bishan Stadium | Watch on YouTube or meWATCH
Best of the rest lock horns in the East
A tantalising clash awaits on Saturday as the Singapore Premier League’s second-placed team takes on the third at Our Tampines Hub, with both sides aiming to close the gap on runaway league leaders Lion City Sailors.
Once again, BG Tampines faces a quick turnaround, with just 72 hours to recover from another demanding trip to Vietnam. Although the Stags have won all their league matches in the new year, they have looked far from convincing in their recent international matches. Conceding 10 goals across two games – in the AFC Champions League 2 and Shopee Cup – against Công An Hà Nội FC does not bode well for them heading into this encounter, with Albirex Niigata (S) waiting to capitalise. The White Swans themselves are on a four-game winning streak and will be aiming to leapfrog BG Tampines into second place.
BG Tampines Rovers vs Albirex Niigata (S) | 14 February | 7:30pm | Our Tampines Hub | Watch on YouTube or meWATCH
Current signs still look positive for Hougang
There has been a different feel to Hougang United’s recent performances, with the Cheetahs showing much more fight and character on the pitch.
Despite their narrow 2-1 loss to Albirex Niigata (S) last week, Hougang showed great resilience to produce a much-improved performance after the break and could consider themselves unlucky to come away empty-handed.
Their new additions have added extra thrust to the side, with the introduction of Victor Blasco midway through the first half making an immediate impact, as well as Jaushua Sotirio’s wonder goal that gave the visitors hope. The pair appear to have already struck up a solid partnership on the pitch, and Hougang will be hoping that chemistry continues to make an impact against a Geylang International side still recovering from a difficult patch of form.
Geylang International vs Hougang United | 15 February | 7:30pm | Our Tampines Hub | Watch on YouTube or meWATCH
Jaguars in need of fresh blood
After losing Aaron Evans to a horror injury and Youssef Ezzejjari to Indian Super League side East Bengal, Tanjong Pagar United have reacted quickly in the transfer window. They have already brought in young Timor-Leste forward Vabio Canavaro, who recently scored against the Singapore Under-22 side in last year’s SEA Games, to add firepower to a depleted frontline. Whether more new signings come through the door remains to be seen, but for now, the Jaguars’ squad is looking stretched thin as they desperately seek to turn their fortunes around.
Their next task will not get any easier, with reigning champions Lion City Sailors likely to pile further misery on their struggling side.
Sailors close in on century of wins
Continental woes aside, the Lion City Sailors have been virtually unstoppable on the domestic front. Having won all nine of their league games, scoring 37 goals while conceding just four, the Sailors are looking increasingly likely to clinch a second consecutive domestic double.
Their next assignment will be against a Tanjong Pagar side that has yet to find any joy this season and is also grappling with an understrength squad. While the Sailors’ boat has recently been rocked by the departure of Head Coach Aleksandar Rankovic, expect them to rack up another dominant victory as their juggernaut shows no sign of slowing down.
Lion City Sailors vs Tanjong Pagar United | 15 February | 7:30pm | Jalan Besar Stadium | Watch on YouTube or meWATCH
