Today marks the start of the 2021 AIA Singapore Premier League season.
Eight clubs will battle it out in yet another Covid-19 impacted season, where stadiums will be devoid of spectators, at the start at least.
We make six predictions for this season.
Prediction Number 1
The Young Lions will finish at the bottom of the table. Again. We wish new coach Philippe Aw all the best, though.
Prediction Number 2
Balestier Khalsa will battle the Young Lions for the wooden spoon. The club was created on 24 October 2002 after the merging of Balestier Central (formed in 1996 with the start of the S-League) and Clementi Khalsa (formed in 1999). And no, Balestier Khalsa is not 123-years old. And no, in case you were looking, Balestier Khalsa does not have a club website.
Prediction Number 3
Tampines Rovers will struggle this season, especially since they only made one major move for the new season and brought on Montenegrin Armin Bosnjak, and will rely on a backline made up of youngsters. Still in an 8-team league, they will be in the upper half.
Prediction Number 4
Geylang International will be a surprise package. They may not win the championship, but they will frustrate many of the teams and cause points to be lost here and there for the title-chasers.
Prediction Number 5
No coach will be sacked throughout the season. No promotion, no relegation, no budget, no point. Just bear with it till the season or contract ends.
Prediction Number 6
The Lion City Sailors will be the team to beat, and will end the season as not just the league champions, but will also lift the Singapore Cup. The man to watch would obviously be Diego Lopes, the league’s first multi-million dollar signing from Portuguese side Rio Ave.
Catch the matches ‘live’ on 1 Play Sports Facebook page.
Main Photo: Lion City Sailors
