Thos weekend the two most successful sides in Norfolk League history come head-to-head at the Temple of Englightenment as the top sides in the division jockey for position at this early stage of the season. City of Uhra currently lie in 3rd, 2 points behind Saturday's opponents and 3 points behind current league champions HM Gunners.

THE SEASON SO FAR

City of Uhra finished 3rd last season having finished with 2 straight victories. This season they opened with a 1-0 win over Ross County Reserves before losing at Dutch Warriors. They were then held by Hotshots to a 1-1 draw before thumping Smallville 5-0 last weekend to leave them in 3rd position. In the Norfolk Trophy they were beaten in the opening round 2-1 by HM Gunners.

Ash Samba Boyz finished last season with a run of 5 games unbeaten meaning they finished 2nd. This season they defeated Shawfield Reborn and Ross County Reserves in their opening 2 league games before being beaten by Dutch Warriors 3-1. Last weekend they recorded a 2-0 win at home against Hotshots to lift them up to 2nd. In the trophy, they road their luck, winning three ties on penalties en route to the final where they were defeated 1-0 by Highland Select.

SEQUENCES

City of Uhra:
- Have won 6 of their first 7 home league games.
- Unbeaten in their last 9 home league matches.
- Have kept 3 clean sheets in their last 4 home league games.

Ash Samba Boyz:
- Have only won 1 of their last 5 games.
- Have won 4 of their last 5 league games.
- Have kept 5 clean sheets in their last 6 league matches.
- Have only lost 1 of their last 9 league games.

THE HOTSHOTS

City of Uhra:
- Nate Noble has scored 4 goals in his last 7 games.

Ash Samba Boyz:
- Alf Kelly has scored 5 goals in his last 7 matches.

IT'S A STAT

City of Uhra:
- Have been awarded more penalties than any other side - 35 in all competitions, 28 scored.
- Have kept more clean sheets than any other side - 108 in all competitions.
- Are the only side in the history of the Norfolk League to concede an average of less than 1 goal a game - 253 goals conceded from their 260 games.

Ash Samba Boyz:
- Aaron Brighwell needs just 1 more goal to reach the 50 goal landmark.
- Only Dave Feitings and Martyn Lines have scored more penalties than Antonio Quintino in all competitons.
- Have scored more league goals than any other side - 329.

PAST MEETINGS

TEAM NEWS

City of Uhra:
Midfielder Lasse Paulrud has recovered from injury meaning City of Uhra are at full strength.

Ash Samba Boyz:
Midfielder Aaron Brightwell is doubtful after suffering an injury in the final of the Trophy on Wednesday. Skipper Fausto Albertino is expected to be available following his injury.

THE REF

TONY NOLAN: Skill 9, Hard 9
Games: 102
Penalties awarded: 21
Yellows per game: 3.57
Reds per game: 0.27

PREDICTION

It's too early to call this game a critical one in the outcome of the title race but both sides would certainly prefer to claim 3 points to make sure they are within touch of the top come tomorrow evening.

City of Uhra are very strong at home, having only lost 1 of their last 9 league games at the Temple of Enlightenment. The Samba Boyz away form was their achillies heal last season but has been improved in the league of late. The hosts will be the fresher having not played in mid week and it will be a blow for the visitors if midfielder Aaron Brightwell doesn't make it.

In the recent head-to-head meetings, the home side has won the last 5 matches. City of Uhra have a strong record in the matches they have played at home whilst William Young has had the edge in previous meetings between the managers.

Can City of Uhra maintain their good home form or will Ash Samba Boyz bounce back from their midweek cup defeat?

PREDICTION: 1-0 City of Uhra