PSM Makassar
- PSM have won one, drawn one and lost three of their last five Liga 1 matches.
- PSM Makassar are a compact, well-organised and disciplined 4-3-3 system when coach Tomáš Trucha locks the team into their low block.
- Tanqueiro, as Trucha’s formation is known, is a pragmatic system that can absorb pressure, break quickly on the counter and create plenty of chances from set-piece situations.
- Alex Tanque, PSM’s top scorer, is the spearhead of their attack and comes into the game after a hat-trick against PSBS Biak, but his ability to dominate the air and bully defenders could be the most important factor on Saturday.
- Victor Luiz is a creative player from full-back who can find Tanque with his forward runs and also provide a goal threat himself, while Victor Dethan and Mufli Hidayat are two other wide players who can help stretch the game.
- Mufli’s pacey runs allow Makassar to play wide and high, but they are often vulnerable to the counter-attack and have been picked off by opponents in transition too often in recent weeks.
Dewa United
- Dewa United have won three of their last five, keeping two clean sheets in January.
- Dewa United are placed higher in the table (around 24 points) than PSM Makassar (20-23 points).
- Jan Olde Riekerink’s Dewa United play a much more possession-based and pro-active style of soccer where they press in numbers and rotate attackers with fluidity.
- Their best work is usually done on the flanks, where Taisei Marukawa’s pace and creativity provides the best chance of an assist and a goal.
- Sonny Stevens’ recent form between the posts has been excellent, keeping two clean sheets and giving his defenders the confidence to clear balls from the box.
Head-to-Head
- The last five competitive games between PSM and Dewa have produced two wins apiece and a draw.
- However, the recent history of the fixture suggests this will be a very tight game and it may be the goal scorers who decide it.
Key Players
- Alex Tanque, PSM’s top scorer, is the spearhead of their attack and comes into the game after a hat-trick against PSBS Biak, but his ability to dominate the air and bully defenders could be the most important factor on Saturday.
- Victor Luiz is a creative player from full-back who can find Tanque with his forward runs and also provide a goal threat himself, while Victor Dethan and Mufli Hidayat are two other wide players who can help stretch the game.
- Alex Martins leads Dewa’s scoring charts.
- Stefano Lilipaly and Alexis Messidoro both provide good options from the bench, but can also play wide and provide a dangerous option from set pieces and free kicks.
- Taisei Marukawa’s pace and creativity provides the best chance of an assist and a goal for Dewa.
Betting Insights
- Dewa’s current form, attacking depth and higher placing in the Liga 1 table make them slight favorites for this game at around 2.86, while PSM are available at 2.37.
- Both Teams to Score at near even odds is a great play.
Prediction
This game could well be of a similar pattern, so Both Teams to Score at near even odds is a great play.
