East Java Derby: Madura United Chase First Points Against East Java Club, Arema FC Seek Consistency
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- Madura United belum pernah menang melawan sesama klub Jawa Timur musim ini, dan kini menghadapi Arema FC di hadapan pendukung sendiri.
- Arema FC masih limbung sepeninggal Marquinho Santos, dengan satu kemenangan dan satu kekalahan dalam dua laga terakhir.
- Status penonton berubah dari pertandingan tertutup menjadi terbuka untuk suporter tuan rumah, sementara fans tamu dilarang hadir.
Madura United will host Arema FC in the ninth week of the 2026/2027 BRI Super League at Gelora Madura Ratu Pamelingan Stadium, Pamekasan, on Friday (6/11/2026) night WIB. The match is a test for the hosts to end their poor run against East Java clubs, and a momentum opportunity for Arema FC, which is still searching for its form after losing its head coach.
Laskar Sape Kerrap have lost both of their previous meetings with fellow East Java teams this season, away to Persik Kediri and Persebaya Surabaya. Those two defeats mean Madura United have yet to collect a point from regional derbies, making the upcoming match a golden chance to break the negative record in front of their own supporters.
In the Arema FC camp, the situation is not yet fully stable. After a 4-0 thrashing of Dewa United on 25 October, Singo Edan fell 1-3 at home to Bali United a week later. That inconsistency has drawn scrutiny, especially as the team is under caretaker Andre Caldas following the resignation of Marquinho Santos after a 1-5 defeat to Persija Jakarta on 21 October.
The decision on spectator attendance changed several times. Security authorities initially ruled the match would be played without spectators, but objections from the Aliansi Suporter Madura Bersatu led to the policy being reviewed. As a result, Madura United supporters are allowed to fill the stadium, while Arema FC fans are not permitted to attend in order to maintain order.
In terms of strength, Madura United are predicted to field a 4-2-3-1 formation with Angga Saputro in goal. The back line consists of Taufik Hidayat, Jorge Mendonca, Pedro Monteiro, and Gio Numberi. Meanwhile, the midfield relies on Ilhamsyah, Jaja, Danilo Santacruz, Lulinha, and Gali Freitas to support Dimitar Mitkov up front.
Arema FC are likely to use a 4-3-3 scheme. Adi Satryo is trusted to guard the goal, with Leo Guntara, Diego Landis, Hansamu Yama, and Achmad Maulana in defense. The trio of Betinho, Arkhan Fikri, and Hanif Sjahbandi fill the midfield, while Gabriel Silva, Careca, and Marcos Vinicius lead the attack.
The win over Dewa United gave hope, but the defeat to Bali United shows that Arema FC still has a big task in maintaining consistency.
For Madura United, this match is not just about three points. The East Java derby always carries its own tension, both on the pitch and in the stands. Direct support from the supporters is expected to provide extra energy to press Arema FC from the start of the match.
On the other hand, Arema FC are demanded to quickly find performance stability if they want to stay competitive at the top of the table. The defeat to Bali United is an alarm that the team has not fully recovered from the coaching transition. Andre Caldas has the opportunity to use the I League Cup to rotate players, including giving playing time to Hanif Sjahbandi, who has just recovered from a long injury.
The big question: can Madura United capitalize on the home factor and supporter backing to break their duck against fellow East Java clubs, or will Arema FC once again show their fangs in this high-tension match? The answer will be seen on the grass of Gelora Madura Ratu Pamelingan Stadium.
