Bhayangkara Solo vs PSM Makassar

Bhayangkara Solo and PSM Makassar are set to square off at PTIK Stadium in an exciting Indonesia Liga 1 clash behind closed doors.

Bhayangkara Solo failed to build on a 3-1 home thumping of fellow bottom-half strugglers PSS Sleman as Bali United thrashed them 3-0 last time out, casting further doubt on their hopes of securing survival. Having lost four of their six previous league outings (W1, D1), the ‘Guardians’ come into this round hovering a mere one point clear of the relegation zone and could slip to the danger territory at the end of this round. Avoiding another defeat against more heavily fancied PSM looks far-fetched, especially considering Widodo Cahyono Putro’s men have blown hot and cold across their six home league matches this season (W2, D2, L2). If nothing, high scoring has been a common theme at PTIK Stadium of late, with Bhayangkara’s last three league matches featuring over 2.5 goals and both teams scoring.

In the meantime, PSM Makassar’s noticeable improvement compared to the last season when they finished 14th has seen them go unbeaten in all 12 Ligue 1 matches this term (W8, D4). After drawing back-to-back league games 1-1, the ‘Roosters of the East’ have put together consecutive victories via a two-goal margin to assume control of the top spot in Liga 1. But there’s no room for complacency as they sit only one point clear of second-placed Bali United, mainly due to their indifferent away form. Indeed, Bernardo Tavares’ men had won their opening two league fixtures on the road by an identical 2-1 scoreline but have since drawn three consecutive top-flight contests on hostile turf. Winless on their last four competitive visits to Bhayangkara (D1, L3), they’re unlikely to turn their away fortunes around here.