Who needs what in the race for a top-six place?
With just one game left in the race for a top-six place, there are three teams in the hunt for the final Championship Conference berth on what promises to be a tense day in the Cymru Premier.
Newtown
The Robins will start the day as favourites to finish sixth as they currently sit three points above their rivals Cardiff Metropolitan and Cefn Druids.
However, their inferior goal-difference means that they will be at risk if they are beaten by Airbus UK Broughton
Chris Hughes’ men must avoid defeat at home to the Wingmakers, who sit at the foot of the Cymru Premier table, in order to clinch a top-six place.
The Robins boast an impressive defensive record, having conceded just three goals since November, coming in a 2-1 victory over Aberystwyth and a 2-0 loss to The New Saints last week.
Although Newtown are in pole position to finish in sixth place, they will have to ensure there is no repeat of their 2-0 loss to Airbus Broughton in the reverse fixture back in October.
Cardiff Metropolitan
Christian Edwards’ men have a glimmer of hope of finishing in the top six, courtesy of a dramatic late victory over Bala Town last week.
Will Evans was the hero, popping up with a 92nd minute winner to give his side a 1-0 win.
On Saturday, the Archers will face another stern test when they host fifth-placed Caernarfon Town at Cyncoed Campus.
To secure a top-six spot, the hosts, first and foremost, must beat the Cofis.
Providing they do their bit, they would also need Newtown to lose at home to Airbus.
Finally, to overcome the threat of Cefn Druids, Edwards’ side must ensure that the Druids do not better their result.
Goal-difference will be a factor if both the Students and Druids win.
In this case, Cardiff Met must ensure that Cefn Druids do not better their result by a margin of four goals to avoid being overtaken on goal-difference.
Despite all the stipulations, Cardiff Met must improve on their 2-1 loss to Caernarfon in November to stand any chance of finishing sixth.
Cefn Druids
Perhaps the most unlikely candidates to claim a top-six place on Saturday, Cefn Druids still, however, remain in the race.
Huw Griffiths’ men are on the back of a three-game losing streak, as they face a huge challenge to claim sixth place.
The Druids face a trip to Bala Town on Saturday, where they must win to maintain any chance of overtaking both Newtown and Cardiff Met.
Like Cardiff Met, Cefn Druids will hope that Newtown lose to Airbus Broughton at Latham Park.
To overtake Cardiff Met, the Druids must better their rival’s result.
However, goal-difference will be a factor if both sides win.
In this case, the Ancients must better Met’s result by a margin of four goals to overtake them on goal-difference.
Of course, Griffiths’ main focus on Saturday will be to claim victory over Bala to give themselves any chance of finishing in sixth place.
With all the stipulations set, the race for a top-six place will be decided on Saturday 18th January, with games kicking off at 5.15pm.
(Featured Image: Brian Jones and Lewis Mitchell)
