Happily sat at the top of the Metfone C-League table, four points clear of their nearest rivals, Boeung Ket are all set to make life difficult on the Olympic Stadium pitch for debutant side Soltilo Angkor on Saturday, but of greater competitive significance will be the clash between Asia Europe United and first season wonders Visakha.

Defending champions Boeung Ket did just about enough to nudge out a robust National Police 1-0 last week, but the fact the match winner came from fan favourite Chan Vathanaka was a bonus for a side that is looking comfortable in both defence and attack.

For the Siem Reap-based Solitilo it will be a test by fire, coming up as they will be against a rampaging Boeung Ket strikeforce.

Western punching bag

While AEU cannot be treated lightly, Visakha’s all-round strength should give the home side plenty to do.

AEU will have to bring their defensive best to contain a side whose meticulously chosen attacking formations have been posing serious problems for some of the best in the league, as Naga’s defeat earlier in the season shows.

Fresh from their 1-1 draw against Naga, Angkor Tiger will be in a positive frame of mind when they invite Preah Khan Svay Rieng to their Siem Reap Stadium.

On Sunday, the Ministry of Defense will unleash their firepower on Western, who have become a punching bag this season, unable to break a string of defeats that has lengthened every passing week.

The contest of the weekend to watch could well be the one between Naga and Phnom Penh Crown at Old Stadium.

That 1-1 draw last week with the Tigers not only stalled Naga’s push for the top spot, with the side now sharing second place with Vishaka, but it also widened the gap to Boeung Ket, who they have been chasing so hard over the past several weeks.

Crown’s fifth defeat last week may have left the team short on confidence and it is hard to see the side on current form posing much of a threat to Naga, though the casino-backed side will also be under pressure to secure the three points.

The weekend’s action will wind up with the clash between National Police and Electricite du Cambodge as the season takes another short break until August 4.