Since 2015, no local team have won the Singapore Premier League (previously known as the S-League), and no team have broken the Albirex Niigata monopoly since 2016.
But a trio of regular contenders and dark horses have emerged in a bid to end the Japanese team's dominance this season.
Five-time champions Tampines Rovers and two-time winners Home United have already beaten the White Swans this year, and kept the bulk of their respective squads.
With chairman Desmond Ong handing out multi-year contracts since coming on board in 2017, the Stags are benefiting from stability and continuity as their players show understanding of their roles and responsibilities on the pitch.
The young and talented - such as 19-year-old Singaporean Joel Chew and 20-year-old Serb Zehrudin Mehmedovic - are complemented by seasoned campaigners such as Canadian Jordan Webb, 30, and 41-year-old centre-back Daniel Bennett, into his 21st season.
"Having kept the bulk of players from last season definitely helps in terms of chemistry," said Webb, who has 79 goals in 208 league games over nine seasons. "I would be selling us short if I say we are not going for all the trophies. We have good atmosphere, good ideas and the energy levels are high."
His coach Gavin Lee added: "We want to be effective in and out of pre-season. If we can win and entertain with attractive football, that would be the ideal scenario."
The Protectors were the best local side last season, finishing as SPL runners-up and winning the AFC Cup Asean zonal final.
Like Tampines, they have retained 17 of 24 players, including South Korean linchpin Song Ui-young and the evergreen Shahril Ishak, who combined for 40 goals in all competitions last term.
They boast the impressive Under-23 trio of forward Adam Swandi, central midfielder Hami Syahin and central defender Taufiq Muqminin.
With their last major trophy coming in the Singapore Cup in 2013 and their last league title in 2003, Home coach Saswadimata Dasuki said it is time to end the drought.
"We want to build on our successes last season and go one better," said Saswadimata, whose side beat Albirex on penalties in the season-opening Community Shield last Saturday.
"It should be one of the most open seasons in recent years, but we won't write them off. They can only get better training full-time, without national service or school commitments (like local clubs).
Meanwhile, the dark horses in the nine-team SPL appear to be Hougang United, who added considerable firepower to a team who scored a league-low of just 22 goals in 24 games last season.
While they have never finished in the top half or won any major titles, the Cheetahs are gunning for history, with coach Clement Teo declaring that "third would be an underachievement".
Retaining forwards Iqbal Hussain, Shahfiq Ghani and Fazrul Nawaz, they signed Faris Ramli and welcomed back Croat Stipe Plazibat and captain Zulfahmi Arifin.
They initially secured the services of 2015 and 2016 top scorer Rafael Ramazotti, only for the Brazilian to go missing and sign for Mexican club FC Juarez. Instead, they have shored up their defence with South Korean centre-back Kong Ho-won.
Teo said: "Afiq Yunos was our only natural centre-back... The Ramazotti incident allowed us to sign Kong and it was a bonus we picked up Faris. He will give us a different dimension with his ability to take on players.
"With the team we assembled, we feel we need to be in the title race. Among our players, the mindset is, even a draw is underachieving."
Zulfahmi, who has returned after one season with Thailand's Chonburi, added: "Any team can win the league this season and Albirex are beatable. It depends on who are the most consistent across 24 games.
"We now have quality attackers and a great team, so we got to be more adventurous and clinical than before to fight for our targets."
Football: Hougang United lose two-goal lead twice to draw 3-3 with 10-man Tampines Rovers SINGAPORE - Two months ago, Tampines Rovers had beaten Hougang United 5-1 at Jalan Besar Stadium on March 3 when Hougang midfielder Justin Hui was sent off in the 50th minute.
Heartbreak for Hougang again, Football News & Top Stories
LONDON: Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk insists he will not face a personal duel against Lionel Messi in his side's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona. Van Dijk is in contention
Champions League: I cannot stop Lionel Messi alone, admits
Gareth Bale's agent says the Wales international remains "100 per cent" committed to Real Madrid. Bale has been persistently linked with a move away from the Bernabeu this season, having hinted at
Gareth Bale '100 per cent committed' to Real Madrid and wants
Barcelona beat United 1-0 in an unspectacular but solid display. Subhadeep Roy FOLLOW. ANALYST The Barca defence, meanwhile, put up a solid performance to keep the United forwards at bay.
Barcelona's defensive display against Sevilla raises concerns
Maurizio Sarri has downplayed Pep Guardiola's suggestion that Chelsea are still in the Premier League title race as he prepares his team to face leaders Manchester City on Sunday. The 60-year-old Italian said his side were "lucky" to beat City in December when they ended the champions' 21-match unbeaten run with a 2-0 win at Stamford
Football: Chelsea not in Premier League title race, says Sarri
Juventus sources have reportedly denied growing speculation manager Massimiliano Allegri will depart the club to be replaced by former boss Antonio Conte. Per Football Italia, Agnelli and Allegri
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THE World Cup offered much food for thought for the Socceroos. Robbie Kruse - they're all fleet-footed and the World Cup taught us speed is the key to unlocking defences.
The need for speed: Arnie's attacking plan for the Asian Cup
bestwnews.com/sport/the-need-for-speed-arnies-attacking-plan-for-the-asian-cup/
Need for speed: Australia won't have target men like Tomi Juric or Tim Cahill at the 2019 Asian Cup Credit: Dean Lewis. Those were years where the team relied heavily on a single saviour in front of goal and it's by no coincidence the Socceroos' first tournament in 13 years that will not feature Tim Cahill will also have no place for a target man.
Need for Speed: Payback Key Generator Keygen for Full Game
Cardiff have expressed their shock after it was reported the pilot in the plane crash that killed Emiliano Sala was not qualified to fly at night. The club said they remained "deeply concerned
Patrice Evra claims accusations of homophobia have been invented by French media after he used an anti-homosexual slur in a social media spat with Paris Saint-Germain More Earlier, PSG condemned "Patrice Evra's homophobic insults aimed at us on social media" after a bizarre spat in which Evra used the French word "pede", a derogatory term
AFC Asian Cup 2019: Usual Suspects in the Frame at Expanded Tournament The 17th Asian Cup finals will be the biggest in the 62-year history of the tournament but even with 24 teams battling it out, it is hard to look much beyond regional powers Iran, Japan and South Korea as potential champions.
Usual suspects are in the frame at expanded Asian Cup
Lionel Messi wants Ernesto Valverde to continue as Barcelona coach but admits the team have not recovered from their Champions League loss to Liverpool as they face Valencia in the Copa del Rey
Messi backs Valverde but admits Barca are still hurting
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/05/24/messi-backs-valverde-but-admits-barca-are-still-hurting/
Messi backs Valverde but admits Barca are still hurting AFP May 24, 2019 AFP No Comments Madrid (AFP) - Lionel Messi wants Ernesto Valverde to continue as Barcelona coach but admits the team have not recovered from their Champions League loss to Liverpool as they face Valencia in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday.
Messi backs Valverde but admits Barca are still hurting
MILAN, May 26 (Reuters) - Former European Cup winners AC Milan endured a bittersweet 3-2 win at SPAL in the last round of the Serie A, finishing the campaign outside the top four after their nearest rivals both booked their Champions League berths on Sunday. The result left Milan fifth on 68 points
AC Milan miss out on top-four finish despite SPAL win - Egypt
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