Preview: Wipers v Pahang Rangers

Pahang Rangers head to Selangor for their final match of the MPFL 2026 regular season on Saturday, taking on bottom side Wipers in what looks, on paper, one of the more straightforward fixtures of Circuit 9's opening day.

Eloy Alonso's side sit third in the table on 34 points from 15 matches, level with second-placed JDT but with their game in hand already used up, meaning three points here would take them to 37 for the season, the most they can reach before the play-offs begin. Pahang finished Circuit 8 in style, Felipe De Souza scoring five times in a 6-1 win at PFA Odin Sarawak, his fifth hat-trick of the campaign taking him one clear of Marlon at the top of the scoring charts on 31 goals. Rodrigo Da Silva remains close behind among the leading scorers and will look to add to his own tally before the play-offs get under way.

Wipers, by contrast, will be desperate to avoid finishing the regular season without a win. Mohd Ruzaley Abdul Aziz's side have picked up just a single point all season, a goalless draw with ATM back in August, and have lost every other fixture, including a 19-2 defeat to this very opposition back in Circuit 2, when Rodrigo scored four and De Souza six. With two matches to go, against Pahang and then JDT, Wipers' hopes of a positive finish rest on producing their best form of the season against two of the division's most potent attacks.

For Pahang, there is little left to play for in terms of position, with second spot now effectively out of reach unless JDT slip up in both their remaining fixtures, against Terengganu and Wipers. Pride and rhythm heading into the play-offs will matter, however, and Eloy Alonso's side have been formidable against the bottom clubs all season. A big win would put a satisfying full stop on the regular season, with De Souza and Rodrigo both well placed to add further milestones to their season totals before the knockout stages begin.

A big Pahang win would also do their goal difference no harm, which could yet prove relevant should second place remain in the balance heading into the final day of the regular season on Sunday. Wipers, meanwhile, know a positive result of any kind would be a fitting way to end a difficult debut MPFL campaign, with a daunting trip to face JDT still to come the following day.

Elsewhere on the opening day of Circuit 9, Terengganu host JDT in a match with real bearing on the race for second, ATM face USM in a straight fight for sixth spot, and Selangor, already assured of finishing top of the regular season, entertain PFA Odin Sarawak.

The match kicks off at 13.30 on Saturday, you can watch all the action on the MPFLTV channel on YouTube.