WAFA vs Home Stars - Division One League

There is a notable edge to this Division One League fixture. When WAFA meet Home Stars at the home ground on September 27, 2026, both will sense an opportunity to land a telling blow. The 74-year-old Hoops boss admitted that "it'll be a bit strange not having the (Celtic) fans in but I'm nervously and excitedly looking forward to it; it's a great fixture" and also spoke about the police visit.

Both WAFA and Home Stars will be eager to build momentum when they meet in Division One League. The hosts will be looking to find their rhythm and put a run of results together. Home Stars will travel with intent, knowing that a positive result here could kick-start their campaign. Carrick has experimented with Noussair Mazraoui in that position but he seems to have fallen down the pecking order, as the less experienced Patrick Dorgu was preferred for the Manchester derby loss.

Wing play is likely to be central to the contest. WAFA will look to stretch the pitch and isolate their wide attackers, while Home Stars must find a way to compress the space and choke the supply lines. They were slightly found out against Amorim's Milan in pre-season, with the press not quite sharp enough - the fourth goal, in particular, came from just one ball over a high-lined defence.

Game-changers are scattered across both line-ups, and the contest may well be decided by which side's match-winners deliver on the day. Discipline at the back and sharpness in front of goal will likely tilt the balance one way or the other. Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz has made his transfer stance clear, amid talk of him 'dreaming' of a move to Manchester United.

Predictions are tricky when the sides are this evenly matched, and small margins — a moment of quality, a slice of luck — could decide it either way. A share of the spoils looks the most probable outcome, with neither side holding a decisive edge — a 1-1 draw feels like a fitting result. With positions in the Division One League table to defend and momentum to chase, neither side can afford to leave anything in the tank. Fulham's Antonee Robinson could be one of those, who would likely be a cheaper alternative to Hall, who has just enjoyed a breakout season with the Magpies.