Albirex Niigata vs Lion City Prediction: The home team are in a better place to secure the victory here

The league’s heavyweight's top two teams will kick off Match Week 18 of the AIA Singapore Premier League as Albirex Niigata square off with Lion City. The Sailors will be looking to reduce a five-point deficit on Friday.

Last five matches: WWLWW

The home team have been in tremendous form this season with ten wins, four draws, and two losses, and they trail the table topper with five points and have a game at hand. They have scored the joint most goals (50) and conceded the second-fewest goals (19).

Just as classic teams are supposed to, Albirex Niigata returned to winning after their disappointing performance against Tanjong Pagar; they knocked down Balestier Khalsa (4-1) in front of their home fans and reduced the lead at the top to within five. Another monumental victory followed the result over Young Lions on match day 17. They scored five unanswered goals as they carted away all the points.

Niigata have lost twice, drawn once, and five times in the last eight home games.

Last five matches: LWWLL

The Sailors are the best team in the division; they have lost twice all season. They have scored the second most (47) goals this season; not just that, they have been pretty stingy at the back with (14) goals conceded so far, the lowest in the division. However, they have been underperforming in the past three games with five points from a possible nine; a draw against Hougang United at home was followed by another (1-1) draw with Geylang International.

The Sailors finally recorded a victory as they defeated Tampines Rovers (2-1) at home. The result was far from convincing as their bad run of form continued.

They have won five and drawn twice in all the games away from home this season, scoring twenty-two goals and conceding nine in that process.

The last twenty matches have favoured the home team with twelve wins and seven draws, while Lion City have only won once.

Lion City are not at their best heading into this match, and they have been playing below par in the last three games; we don't expect them to win as the home team will most definitely secure all the points for 2.30.

This is a derby match, and we believe both teams will be very cautious; we expect a close game. Bet on the home team and under 3.5 goals for 3.20.

Bet on BTTS, and anybody wins for 2.10.

Good luck!