With Clifton Villa in cup action this weekend, a chance has presented itself for Creggan Swifts and Westbank United to pull away from their title challengers, even if they will have played a few games more.

United need a win if they want to keep Swifts looking over their shoulders while in the Championship City Colts could continue their late run for promotion with three points against Trojans.

PREMIER DIVISION

Brandywell Celtic v Du Pont (St Columbs Park)
We have arguably reached ‘must win’ territory for a Du Pont side that are lingering at the bottom of the Premier Division table.
Having said that the ball is certainly in their court in terms of having two games in hand over the side two points ahead of them – Bentley.
Last week’s game with Strabane Athletic being postponed due to a frozen pitch certainly didn’t help matters but the side should be raring to go on Saturday against mid-table opposition.
Gilfillan Cup winners Brandywell Celtic sit in sixth place in the league table but at first glance it is deceptive as they too have games in hand over those above them.
They boys in white could leapfrog into fourth if they win even one of their two spare games over Foyle and Hatmore Harps and they will see this game as a big opportunity to do just that.
With Stephen Melly on fire at the minute it’s difficult to see how a leaky Du Pont defence will stop a Brandywell team with eyes for a top three finish.
Prediction: Brandywell to get the better of it.

Bentley v Creggan Swifts (Templemore Central)
If Bentley aren’t careful this could be a very long day at the office against a Creggan Swifts team with a league title in their sight.
The race for top spot is getting tighter by the week and with close rivals Clifton Villa in cup action, Swifts will see this as a chance to extend their lead at the top.
Emmett Coyle’s hat trick at the weekend is only a glimpse of the attacking threat that Creggan have to offer and the striker will envisage another few goals against a Bentley defence who have been conceding goals left, right and centre this season.
Darren Cassidy is another key man for the title challengers, and the relegation favourites will need to keep an eye on his movements on the left wing.
Despite losing nine of the eleven games to date this season, Bentley are a team who could produce a shock and with the threat of Championship football becoming more real by the week they may just surprise the league leaders.
Prediction: Three points for Creggan.

Foyle Harps v Westbank United (Leafair)
Westbank United are still well in the hunt for the league title but they need to keep matching the results of those around them – and that may be easier said than done this week.
They face a Foyle Harps team who currently sit just outside the big top three and while a late title run is all but out of the question for them they may need a victory to solidify that place in the table.
Marcus O’Kane scored a double at the weekend but the most worrying thing for Harps will be the fact that he is certainly not the only threat that the team possess.
Johnny Hume is a constant thorn in the side of any opposition and Kevin Barr has an eye for goal as well.
Harps narrowly lost out at the hands of Brandywell Celtic five days ago and if they don’t want it to be zero points from two games then they will need their defenders to be at their best.
Prediction: Westbank keep up the pressure.

Rosemount v Strabane Athletic (Brooke Park)
Looking at the table this may seem like a bit of a nothing game involving two teams who are in neither the battle for the title nor the battle for relegation.
In spite of that you can be sure that both will be eager to get maximum points and to push themselves closer to the top half of the table.
With each team on 13 points, though Strabane have a game in hand, all signs point to a tight affair in Brooke Park with the potential for a few goals.
For Rosemount Mark Healey is the man who will provide them. The striker has been untouchable in recent weeks and if Strabane don’t get to grips early with his strength they could be picking the ball out of the back of their own net a few times.
Strabane’s game with Du Pont was postponed last week due to a frozen pitch so they should come into the game full of energy which could be significant as the team that makes the fastest start could well go on to win the game.
Prediction: All Rosey in Brooke Park.

CHAMPIONSHIP

City Colts v Trojans (Prehen No 4)
It’s just the one game in the Championship this weekend but all other teams either in cup action or enjoying a bye week.
City Colts have certainly been the surprise package in the second half of this season as they turned around a shocking start to fight their way to fourth place.
They are serious title contenders, possibly the team most likely to knock Tamnaherin off their track, as they are seven points off the top spot but have two games in hand over the league leaders.
Rickey Harkin and Vinny Morrison have been the main men behind the revival of the Colts and they will be keen to add to their season tallies against a struggling Trojans.
The Creggan team haven’t really got off the ground in the Championship this year and they currently find themselves third from bottom in the table.
Knocking five past Artigarvan in the cup last weekend was exactly what the Blues needed and if their young guns keep firing they may cause a shock.
Prediction: Colts maintain title charge.

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