Lion City vs Sydney FC Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Tough conditions await Sydney in Singapore

The winner of this semi-final will get the opportunity to host the AFC Champions League 2 final against either Sharjah FC from the United Arab Emirates or Saudi Arabian team Al-Taawoun.

It's an intriguing first leg - Lion City are extremely tough to beat at home, but they did advance into the semi-finals in very fortuitous circumstances after J-League powerhouses Sanfrecce Hiroshima were forced to forfeit the first leg of their quarter-final 3-0 due to fielding an ineligible player after initially prevailing 6-1. Nevertheless, a high of 32 degrees and 80+% humidity at the Jalan Besar Stadium (which is also a synthetic pitch) will test Sydney, who travel following a thrilling, but energy-sapping 3-2 triumph over Adelaide in the A-League over the weekend.

I'm backing Under 3.5 goals for this clash as both sides look to grind out a positive result, while Lion City look decent value in the Double Chance market in these conditions.

This will be the first ever meeting between the two clubs.

Lion City are flying high at the top of the Singapore Premier League, winning 19 of their 25 games and leading second-placed Tampines by seven points with a game in hand.

It's been a dream AFC Champions League 2 campaign for the ambitious club, who are owned by Singaporean billionaire Forrest Li.

Lion City finished top of Group F on goal difference, but only qualified for the knockout stages by one point over third-placed Zhejiang.

After crushing Thai side Muangthong United 7-2 on aggregate in the R16, Lion City were blessed with huge fortune against Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the quarter-finals, successfully having a 6-1 first leg loss overturned into a 3-0 win after Hiroshima fielded Valere Germain, who was suspended at the time.

Lion City went on to grind out a 1-1 draw with Hiroshima at home in the second leg, earning their passage through to the semi-finals.

Former Socceroos defender Bailey Wright is expected to start for Lion City, who are equipped with a number of talented players, including former St Pauli striker Lennart Thy, former PSV and Netherlands international Bart Ramselaar and former Club Brugge and Standard Liège winger Maxime Lestienne, who is a chance to return from injury after missing the last four games.

Sydney finished second in Group E behind Sanfrecce Hiroshima, but have impressed with some brilliant victories in the knockout stages to reach the semi-finals of Asian continental football for the first time.

Ufuk Talay's side overcame Bangkok United 5-4 on aggregate in the R16 and were outstanding in the quarter-finals against South Korean juggernauts Jeonbuk United, prevailing 2-0 on the road before a 3-2 victory at Allianz.

Juggling Champions League football with A-League commitments has proved challenging at time for Sydney this season, who are in a real dogfight to finish in the top six and secure a spot in the finals.

Sydney claimed a much-needed 3-2 win over Adelaide on the road in their last A-League outing, with super-sub Adrian Segecic scoring the winner in the 94th minute.

Alex Grant went off injured in the win over Adelaide and it remains to be seen if he's fit to take part in this clash after a short turnaround.

Sydney will look to their attacking star-power of Douglas Costa, Joe Lolley, Adrian Segecic and Patryk Klimala (who scored two goals in the win over Adelaide at the weekend) to do damage.