A Rivalry Renewed
The AFC Champions League group stage is set to kick off this week, and one of the most anticipated matches is the clash between Singapore’s Home United and the Philippines’ Ceres La Salle. These two teams have a long history of rivalry, and their latest meeting is sure to be another thrilling contest.
Head-to-Head Record
Home United and Ceres La Salle have met four times in the AFC Champions League, with each team winning twice. Their most recent meeting was in the 2017 group stage, with Ceres La Salle winning 3-2.
| Date | Result |
|---|---|
| 2015 group stage | Ceres La Salle 1-0 Home United |
| 2016 play-off | Home United 2-1 Ceres La Salle |
| 2017 group stage | Ceres La Salle 3-2 Home United |
| 2018 play-off | Home United 3-1 Ceres La Salle |
Form Guide
Home United have been in good form in the Singapore Premier League, winning their last three matches. They are currently top of the table with a three-point lead over Albirex Niigata.
Ceres La Salle have also been in good form in the Philippines Football League, winning their last four matches. They are currently top of the table with a 10-point lead over Kaya FC-Iloilo.
Key Players
Home United
- Song Ui-young (South Korea) – Forward
- Faris Ramli (Singapore) – Midfielder
- Shahril Ishak (Singapore) – Defender
Ceres La Salle
- Bienvenido Marañón (Spain) – Forward
- Mike Ott (Germany) – Midfielder
- Iain Ramsay (Australia) – Defender
Tactics
Home United are expected to play a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Song Ui-young leading the line. They will look to attack through the flanks, with Faris Ramli and Shahril Ishak providing width.
Ceres La Salle are expected to play a 4-3-3 formation, with Bienvenido Marañón leading the line. They will look to control the midfield through Mike Ott and Iain Ramsay.
Prediction
This is a difficult match to call, as both teams are in good form. However, Home United have the home advantage, and they will be looking to make a statement in their first AFC Champions League match. I predict a narrow 2-1 victory for Home United.
Additional Information
- The match will be played at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore.
- The kick-off time is 7:30pm local time.
- The match will be broadcast live on Fox Sports Asia.
Table 1: Head-to-head record
| Team | Wins | Draws | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home United | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Ceres La Salle | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Table 2: Form guide
| Team | Last 5 matches |
|---|---|
| Home United | WWWWW |
| Ceres La Salle | WWWWW |
Table 3: Key players
| Player | Position |
|---|---|
| Song Ui-young | Forward |
| Faris Ramli | Midfielder |
| Shahril Ishak | Defender |
| Bienvenido Marañón | Forward |
| Mike Ott | Midfielder |
| Iain Ramsay | Defender |
Table 4: Tactics
| Team | Formation |
|---|---|
| Home United | 4-2-3-1 |
| Ceres La Salle | 4-3-3 |
