WPL Preview: The weekend’s games

Only four matches will be played in the Dafabet Welsh Premier League this weekend, but as phase one nears its finale all teams will be going all out to get points on the board.

The New Saints v Cardiff Met                                                                                                             10/12/16                                                                                                                                               14:30pm 

This game will be of great interest to WPL fans who have been refreshed by Cardiff Met’s stunning form which has put them in good stead for top six qualification. However, their biggest test of phase one is upon them, as they make the trip to face an undefeated TNS side who have recently broken the record for the longest 100% start ever seen in the league.

The Saints will look to again extend their 100% record, whereas Cardiff Met would no doubt take a draw if you offered them one before the game – that said, it speaks volumes of Met’s progress that the game is being billed as the one when TNS’ run of 16 consecutive wins could come to end.

Rhyl FC v Newtown                                                                                                                             10/12/16                                                                                                                                               15:00pm 

The Corbett Sports Stadium will witness a cut throat fixture when Rhyl welcome Newtown in a game where both sides can’t afford to lose. Rhyl sit seventh in the table and could sneak into the top six if they are to beat Newtown, but the Robins will be fighting for their lives to take all three points back to Mid Wales.

Just as Newtown looked to have turned the corner with a 2-1 win against gap Connah’s Quay, they suffered a 1-0 loss at Cefn Druids, keeping them in the relegation zone with just five games to play.  Despite sitting 11th, the Robins are six points from the top six, with Saturday set to be a make or break occasion to determine their phase two fate.

Airbus UK Broughton v Bala Town                                                                                                 10/12/16                                                                                                                                               14:30pm 

Grey clouds are gathering over Airbus, and the arrival of an in-form Bala Town will not give Airbus fans much hope that they’ll clear. The home side sit bottom of the table with all hope of top six football post January diminished. Andrew Thomas’ side must rebuild to salvage the season, but having lost five consecutive fixtures, they face a team who have won five in a row.

After a slow start to the season, Bala look back to their old selves and ready to mount a serious challenge for European football. With gap Connah’s Quay without a game until Tuesday, the Lakesiders have the chance to go joint on points with Nomads, turning the heat up on their likely biggest rivals in phase two.

Llandudno FC v Carmarthen Town                                                                                                   10/12/16                                                                                                                                               17:15pm 

This game will be a six pointer for top six qualification, with Carmarthen sixth and Llandudno seventh with just one point separating them. Both sides come into the game off the back of early Welsh Cup exits, and neither have a truly strong league form on their side with Llandudno without a win in their past three games and Carmarthen with a win, draw and loss.

Fans at the Giant Hospitality Stadium will be expecting a gritty game ending in elation for one side, but for the other the gloomy prospect of relegation conference football in phase two.