Sabercats Eye Home Playoff, Top Seed In Regular MLR Season Finale Against Anthem

All eyes will be on SaberCats Stadium this Sunday night as Houston looks to lock in a home playoff game, and possibly the No. 1 seed, with a victory over winless Anthem RC.

Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET, with ESPN+ streaming all the action in a high-stakes Western Conference clash. While Houston is fresh from a Week 16 bye, Anthem RC enters desperate to avoid a winless season, extending their losing streak to 31 games after falling to Utah in their last outing.

For the SaberCats, the pressure is on. A stumble now could derail hopes of a top playoff seed. Though they were held try-less in a Week 15 loss to Seattle, flyhalf AJ Alatimu remains the team’s X-factor. 

He delivered all nine points against Seattle and recorded 482 kick meters. Houston can easily earn the No. 1 seed in the West for a second straight year, and Alatimu is the driver that the SaberCats will be looking up to to help deliver the win.

Anthem RC, meanwhile, nearly pulled off an upset the last time they faced Houston in March. A dramatic 79th-minute penalty from Davy Coetzer gave the SaberCats a narrow 46-45 win. In that match, both teams crossed the whitewash seven times.

Captain Jake Turnbull will lead Anthem one final time this season. Anthem RC can play spoiler, and it starts with Turnbull’s play. Turnbull has displayed consistent leadership throughout the season.

With Fan Appreciation Night adding to the stakes, Houston will aim to give fans and their playoff hopes a finale to remember.