Tanjong Pagar vs Hougang United Prediction: The guests are slightly better than their counterpart

On Sunday, Tanjong Pagar will square off against Hougang United at the Jurong East Stadium. Hasrin Jailani's men will be keen to get it right this time after their poor performance in their opening game. At the same time, the visitors will strive for their first three points of the season. 

The Jaguars head here with a below-par performance in their opening game, losing (0-5) against Balestier Central. After conceding three times before the break, they were reduced to ten men, and the visitors scored two more goals to cart away the maximum points. Tanjong Pagar have started this campaign with their usual momentum, and nothing seems to have changed about them. 

Tanjong Pagar picked up twenty-one points from a possible seventy-two, ending in the bottom two of the SPL last season. They conceded sixty-two times while scoring thirty-nine times. Tanjong's major problem was their defence, as they conceded more than a goal over their last eleven games. Tanjong Pagar has strengthened their squad after a below-par season; unfortunately, we can see them challenge for the SPL title this season. 

The Cheetahs have lost back-to-back games against Lion City and Albirex Niigata. More recently, they lost by just a goal against ten men Albirex Niigata, and we think they deserved more than just the defeat. Their opening game was nothing to write home about as they conceded four and found the back of the net once. 

In the previous season, Hougang United scored the second-fewest goals (37) in the SPL and conceded the fourth-most goals (57). Hougang United were one of the worst teams in the division despite finishing 6th on the log, and we are not sure they’ll go far this time. The Cheetahs have spent a lot this campaign and have more than seven foreign players in their squad. 

Over their previous twenty meetings, nine games have ended in a draw, while Tanjong Pagar have won seven and Hougang United won four. Hougang United showed some signs of improvement in their game against ten-man Albirex Niigata, even though they failed to find the back of the net. At the same time, Tanjong Pagar head here with a terrible display against Balestier Central at home. Both teams have had a disappointing start to the season, but after watching Hougang United against Albirex, I think they are far more confident than the hosts. 

This encounter looks like a stalemate, but we are backing the visitors to score before the break. 

We expect to see more goals after the breaks for 2.26.

A win for the visitors might be worth the risk.

Good luck!