Preview Liga 1: Barito Putera vs Persija Jakarta

Barito Putera will face Persija Jakarta at the Sultan Agung Stadium on Friday afternoon, January 10, 2025, in a crucial Week 18 match of the Liga 1 season. Both teams are coming into this game with contrasting form as they head into the second half of the 2024-25 campaign.

Currently sitting in 15th place in the standings, Barito Putera has only accumulated 15 points so far, with just three wins, six draws, and eight losses. This puts them only one spot above Persis Solo, who are in the relegation zone.

Barito will need to improve their performance in the remaining games of the season to increase the gap between themselves and the relegation-threatened teams. However, inconsistency has been a significant issue for coach Rahmad Darmawan’s side.

In their last five matches before the mid-season break, Barito managed just one win, two draws, and two losses. Facing an in-form Persija will certainly make their task more difficult.

Meanwhile, Persija Jakarta enters the break in third place with 31 points, just three points ahead of fourth-place Bali United and eight points behind league leaders Persib Bandung. Although consistency remains a challenge for coach Carlos Pena, Riko Simanjuntak, and the rest of the team, they ended the first half of the season on a positive note with two consecutive wins. This momentum is crucial for Persija as they look to maintain their position in the upper half of the table.

On paper, Persija is the clear favorite to win their first match of 2025. Given the current form of both teams, Persija appears to have the upper hand in securing all three points. However, Barito still has a chance to surprise, as Persija has been known to slip up against unexpected opponents, including a defeat to newly-promoted PSBS Biak earlier in the season.

Starting XI
Barito Putera (4-3-3): Satria Tama; Bagas Kaffa, Renan Alves, Anderson Nascimento, Moon Chi-sung; Bayu Pradana, Levy Madinda, Matias Mier; Rizky Pora, Eksel Runtukahu, Lucas Morelatto
Persija Jakarta (3-4-3): Andritany Ardhiyasa; Rizky Ridho, Hansamu Yama, M. Ferarri; Rio Fahmi, Syahrian Abimanyu, Maciej Gajos, Witan Sulaeman; Ryo Matsumura, Marko Simic, Riko Simanjuntak

Score Prediction: Barito Putera 1-3 Persija Jakarta