MLR 2025: Houston SaberCats vs Utah Warriors

Top spot in the Western Conference is up for grabs on Saturday night when Houston plays host to Utah. The SaberCats trail the Warriors by just a single point and with the two sides now odds-on to claim home advantage in the first round of the playoffs, the question now is which will enter the postseason as the top seed on their side of the bracket.

CURRENT STANDINGS

8-4-0 (W1) West 2nd

8-4-0 (L2) West 1st

STARTING LINEUP CHANGES

	IN	OUT
8	Sam Tuifua	Emmanuel Albert

	IN	OUT
1	Fred Apulu	Aki Seiuli
2	Tuvere Vugakoto	Liam Coltman
3	Remsy Lemisio	Tonga Kofe
8	Dylan Nel	Reid Davis

CAPPED INTERNATIONALS

(3) – Lindenmuth, Alatimu (Samoa), Davis (USA)

(9) – Vugakoto (Fiji), Jensen, Mano, Uhila, Lasike (USA), Leuila, Seiuli (Samoa), Benn (Canada), Coltman (New Zealand)

NOTABLE ABSENTEES

– Emmanuel Albert (FL), André Warner (SH), Rufus McLean (WI)

– Gavin Thornbury (LO), Bailey Wilson (FL), Spencer Jones (CE)

PREDICTION

Windy conditions are on the forecast which could take the oft-used cross-kick out of Utah’s attacking arsenal. The Warriors remain without captain and lineout leader Gavin Thornbury, and his absence was notable in Monday’s loss to Seattle. The SaberCats have had two extra days rest to prepare after their strong win over San Diego, and have retained a near-identical side as they look to stamp their authority on their guests. Houston are slight favorites at home.

LINEUPS

HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 2 Seth Smith, 3 Pono Davis, 4 Justin Basson, 5 Nathan Den Hoedt (capt.), 6 Marno Redelinghuys, 7 Johan Momsen, 8 Sam Tuifua, 9 Jay Renton, 10 Davy Coetzer, 11 Juan-Dee Oliver, 12 Dom Akina, 13 Tautalatasi Tasi, 14 Drake Davis, 15 Drew Wild

Replacements: 16 Pita Anae-Ah Sue, 17 LaRome White, 18 Michael Scott, 19 Javon Camp, 20 Keni Nasoqeqe, 21 Max Schumacher, 22 AJ Alatimu, 23 Jeremy Misailegalu

UTAH WARRIORS
1 Fred Apulu, 2 Tuvere Vugakoto, 3 Remsy Lemisio, 4 Frank Lochore, 5 Matt Jensen, 6 Lance Williams, 7 Kalisi Moli, 8 Dylan Nel, 9 Zion Going, 10 Joel Hodgson, 11 Joe Mano, 12 D’Angelo Leuila, 13 Cole Semu, 14 Nic Benn, 15 Jordan Trainor (capt.)

Replacements: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Aki Seiuli, 18 Tonga Kofe, 19 Saia Uhila, 20 Tyler Wong, 21 Logan Crowley, 22 Paul Lasike, 23 Phil Bradford

MATCH INFO

Date: Saturday, May 17
Venue: SaberCats Stadium, Houston
Kickoff: 19:00 local (17:00 Pacific, 18:00 Mountain, 20:00 Eastern)
Weather Forecast: sunny, 82°F (28°C), wind S 16-24mph (25-38km/h)
Broadcasts: ESPN+, CW39 Houston, KJZZ Utah, Sky Sports NZ, The Rugby Network