PSM Makassar vs Madura United

A handsomely-looking top-four Indonesia Liga 1 six-pointer pits PSM Makassar and Madura United against each other at the Gelora BJ Habibie.

PSM Makassar surrendered the top place in Liga 1 to Bali United last weekend after only managing an underwhelming scoreless draw at mid-table Bhayangkara Solo. Despite suffering a minor setback on their most recent league travel, the ‘Roosters of the East’ head into proceedings as the only side in the top flight yet to lose a single match this season (W8, D5). Much of the credit for Makassar’s high-flying domestic form goes to a watertight backline that has conceded a league-low seven goals. But after failing to keep a clean sheet in three of their last five league outings, Bernardo Tavares’ men will have to avoid complacency. A game against Madura couldn’t have come at a better time for Makassar, considering they’ve won two of their last three top-flight H2Hs via an identical 1-0 scoreline (D1).

Meanwhile, Madura United failed to build on a narrow 1-0 triumph at PSS Sleman in their most recent away league fixture, as they spurned an early 1-0 lead in a 3-1 home defeat to Bali United last time out. Since that triumph against Sleman remains Madura’s solitary success in five top-flight matches (D2, L2), it’s no surprise they’ve lost ground on pacesetters Bali. Reducing a bridgeable four-point deficit on Bali requires the ‘Runner Bull’ to overcome their topsy-turvy away record in Liga 1 (W3, D2, L2) and potentially win back-to-back league games on the road for the first time this term. That’s easier said than done, with Madura losing all six competitive visits to Makassar, including the last three in a row via an identical 1-0 scoreline.