With the Metfone C-League title race heating up, the two prime contenders likely to fight to the finish, current leaders Phnom Penh Crown and their dogged pursuers Boeung Ket Rubber Field, have their priorities clearly marked when they line up for their matches at the Olympic Stadium this weekend.

A five-point cushion at the top of the standings gives four-time champions Crown a lead edge in team morale when they take on National Police Commission, whom they had beaten earlier this year, in Saturday evening’s encounter.

Boeung Ket run into Ministry of National Defence the following night under floodlights, leaden with some anxiety over their rival’s unpredictable form swings.

While Crown would be keen to steer clear of trouble and avoid any possible slip ups, Boeung Ket will be equally determined to keep their chase hard and true.

After this week’s action, two more matches stand between Crown and Boeung Ket before their own gladiatorial contest that will take the season to its climactic end.

The other matches in the program for the weekend are mostly banal in nature, except for the fact that Kirivong Sok Sen Chey, who face BBU in Saturday’s first match, may be desperate for a win to keep their hopes of staying in the top tier alive.

Though Western University are numerically better off in that relegation fight with Kirivong at this point, they need to produce their best against a decidedly stronger TriAsia to get a positive outcome that would keep them in the safe zone.

Away at the Old Stadium on Saturday Albirex Niigata, whose relegation is a certainty, run into Asia Europe University.

Weekend Fixtures

Saturday July 5

At the Old Stadium

Albirex Niigata v AEU 3:30pm

At the Olympic Stadium

BBU v Kirivong Sok Sen Chey 3:30pm

Phnom Penh Crown v National Police – 6pm

Sunday July 6

Western University v TriAsia 3:30pm

Boeung Ket v MND – 6pm