NORFOLK LEAGUE: Dutch Warriors v HM Gunners
Saturday 24th July 2010, Kick off: 19:00 CET,
at Terror Dome, Netherlands.

With just four games remaining, our Big Game Preview team have made the journey to the Netherlands this week as two of the Norfolk League title hopefuls prepare to collide in a hugely important encounter.

Ash Samba Boyz currently have a 4 point advantage at the top but face a tricky trip to Hotshots - a side who defeated them in the cup in midweek. Saturday's hosts Dutch Warriors lie 2nd and still have to face the Samba Boyz so victory could leave them within 3 points of the leaders ahead of next weekends encounter between the two. The Gunners lie another 3 points back and no a defeat this weekend will surely end their title defence. Victory coupled with a Samba Boyz slip up would keep them in the hunt though.

THIS SEASON

The Warriors have continued last seasons progress as they edge back towards the sharp end of the battle for honours. The fixture computer gave them a tough start, having to face last seasons top 4 in their opening 4 games. They defeated the Samba Boyz and City of Uhra but lost to Hotshots and HM Gunners. Since then, they are unbeaten in 6 and haven't conceded a goal in their last 5 as they have moved up to 2nd and en route for their best league finish since season 7. Their cup form has been good too. They reached the semi final in the Trophy and are into the last 4 of the league cup.

It was always going to be a difficult for HM Gunenrs to emulate last seasons fantastic title winning season. They started well though with 10 points from their opening 4 games. However, since then they have won just 2 of their last 6 which has seen them slip to 7 points off the lead. They are still on course for their 2nd best ever league finish though. In the cups, they were defeated by Ross County in Round 2 of the Norfolk Trophy whilst Amazingstoke Gooners ended their run in the league cup at the same stage.

CURRENT FORM

Dutch Warriors:

HM Gunners:

* = Games played at Xpert Arena are counted as away matches.

SEQUENCES

Dutch Warriors:
- Have won 9 of their last 11 games.
- Have kept 9 clean sheets in their last 11 matches.
- Have only lost 1 of their last 12 matches.
- Unbeaten at home in their last 5 league games.

HM Gunners:
- Still looking for their first win in their last 6 league away games.
- Have only won 2 of their last 10 games.
- Haven't kept a clean sheet in their last 7 games.

THE HOTSHOTS

Dutch Warriors:
- Remco Goossen has scored 12 goals in his last 15 matches.

HM Gunners:
- Edward Schillen has scored 18 goals in his last 18 league games.

IT'S A STAT

Dutch Warriors:
- Have gone 487 minutes without conceding a goal in the league.
- This is the first time they have ever kept 5 consecutive clean sheets in the league.
- Masao Totaki is just 2 goals short of reaching 50 for the Warriors.
- Their victory in midweek was the teams 150th win.

HM Gunners:
- Only 4 different sides have beaten them in their last 43 league games. Samba Boyz (4 times), City of Uhra (3), Ross County (2) and Hotshots (1).
- Striker Edward Schillen made his 100th apperance for the club last weekend.
- Midfielder Ned Stride has scored 17 out of the 17 penalties he has taken.

PAST MEETINGS

LAST 3 MEETINGS

TEAM NEWS

The Warriors are without second top scorer Masao Totaki through injury so the Warriors may decide to play Joos Burg up front on their own.

The Gunners are at full strength for this one.

THE REF

STELLAN OFFSAJED: Skill 3, Hard 7
Games: 117
Pens awarded: 30
Yellow per game: 3.31
Reds per game: 0.16

PREDICTION

The pressure is on both sides as they both know what the potential consequences of failing to win could have on their title challenges. It's the hosts Dutch Warriors who will begin as red hot favourites, mainly based on their recent strong form whilst the Gunners have struggled away recently. The two points in the visitors favour is the injury to Totaki, the Warriors main front man, and the fact they have won the last 3 meetings between these two, scoring 10 goals in the process. Both men possess prolific goalscorers in Goossen and Schillen who can be the difference should it be a close game.

PREDICTION: 2-0 Dutch Warriors

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