Game Week 6 of the Dialog Champions League is on this weekend and you can find out about what to expect and which way to bet, as ThePapare.com looks at each of the eight fixtures in detail.
Group A
Army SC vs Civil Security SC (23rd July at Navy Ground Welisara at 3:30p.m)
Top vs Bottom in Group A, should be a walk in the park for a dominant Army team who have been brilliant so far in the competition.
Last week Madhushan De Silva found the back of the net twice in a tricky encounter away to the Lions, and he joins Issadeen at the top of the form book after that performance.
Civil Security meanwhile suffered their worst defeat of the season against fellow relegation battlers Negombo Youth, being mauled 7-0 in a one sided contest.
Matara City vs Colombo FC (23rd July at Matara Football Complex at 3:30p.m)
Matara City sprung a big surprise on the visiting Solid team last week, where they were able to secure a point in a game where both teams went down to ten men.
Colombo FC have been in good form, and returning to action after 10 days of rest they will expect to pick up all three points in this game despite the trip down south.
Up Country Lions vs Solid SC (23rd July at Jayatillake Stadium, Nawalapitiya at 3:30p.m)
Up Country Lions were undone by a strong Army team at home last week and now have another test at home, this time against the team from Anuradhapura.
Solid were held to a draw by minnows Matara City last week, a shock result in many ways, and will be looking to bounce back with a win.
The Lions top 4 ambitions are still achievable, however they will need some points against Solid and/or Blue Star to get there.
Crystal Palace FC vs Negombo Youth SC (24h July at Jayatillake Stadium, Nawalapitiya at 3:30p.m)
Crystal Palace find themselves in a must win game this weekend against a Negombo Youth team that will be buoyed by their 7-0 thrashing of Civil Security SC.
Palace will have the home advantage but will be more fatigued after their Week 5 clash against Blue Star was moved to the 21st. A win is a must for Palace against opposition that their top 4 contenders have already gotten maximum points off.
Group B
Air Force SC vs New Youngs SC (23rd July at Ekala Grounds at 3:30p.m)
New Youngs all but sealed their top 4 spot with last week’s win over Super Sun at Kalutara.
However their injury hit team face a tough match up next, away at Ekala.
Air Force will be low on confidence though, as the last 2 game weeks have been a bit of a disaster.
Only a point against a tired Police team and the struggling Super Sun was not on the cards for the Airmen and they’ll need to put in a tough shift to get a win against New Youngs and get back on track.
Police SC vs Navy SC (23rd July at Police Grounds at 3:30p.m)
Police had to fight hard to get a very creditable point off Air Force at home last week and now welcome the Sailors to the Police Grounds this weekend.
Navy have struggled to get their season going after the opening win against Super Sun, with an uninspiring 1-0 win over Thihariya Youth at home sealing just their second win of the campaign.
Both teams are vying for top 4 spots and should be an interesting game with much at stake.
Thihariya Youth SC vs Renown SC (23rd July at Kelaniya Football Complex at 3:15p.m)
Top vs Bottom in Group B and again, there are no indications that the formbook will not be followed.
Renown have been tested by far superior teams and come away will all three points and it will be nothing short of an upset if the team from Gampaha can get even a point off last years’ Runners-Up.
Will be streamed live on thepapare.com
Java Lane SC vs Super Sun SC (23rd July at City League Football Complex at 3:15p.m)
It’s actually a challenge to decide as to which team has been more disappointing in this years’ group stage with both teams having so much potential but delivering so little.
Naveen Jude has been the standout player for Java Lane, netting his second brace of the campaign last week against Saunders.
Duodu Joseph had a brace himself for Super Sun but their defense let them down last week, conceding three cheap goals to the visiting New Youngs team.
Both teams will likely be playing for pride, but it still should be an interesting match.
