In-form Bala Town visit runaway league leaders Park Hall on Friday night in the only JD Welsh Premier League of the weekend (7.45).
The Lakesiders are locked in a fierce battle for second-place in the table as they vye with Connah’s Quay and Bangor City for the remaining automatic European qualification spot.
Colin Caton’s men are a point in front with tonight’s match a game in-hand over their rivals, but Bala have struggled to compete against The New Saints so far this season.
This season’s two previous league meetings both finished 3-0 to the defending league champions and the The New Saints have amassed a 12-point lead at the top of the WPL as they look to lock down a seventh consecutive league championship.
Bala Town have been in impressive form since the league split however and are so far unbeaten in Phase 2, something which is not being overlooked by Scott Ruscoe.
“They’re second in the league and they’ve just had a fantastic victory at Bangor. They’re a strong side and they made a few signings in the window. They play for Colin Caton and they beat us in the JD Welsh Cup final last May, so they can beat us if we’re not on our game,” warned the Saints boss.
Ruscoe is expected to recall goalkeeper Paul Harrison who is available following a two-game ban.
Bala Town have midfielders Nathan Burke and Jordan Evans back in contention after they missed last weekend’s win at Bangor City.
Pos Team P W D L F A Pts
1. The New Saints 26 19 4 3 65 25 61
2. Bala Town 26 15 4 7 31 31 49
3. Connah’s Quay Nomads 27 14 6 7 40 24 48
4. Bangor City 27 15 3 9 43 29 48
5. Cardiff Met 27 11 6 10 37 27 39
6. Barry Town United 26 12 3 11 30 28 39
7. Cefn Druids 27 9 8 10 29 33 35
8. Newtown AFC 27 10 3 14 40 44 33
9. Llandudno FC 27 8 8 11 33 35 32
10. Aberystwyth Town 27 8 6 13 40 49 30
11. Carmarthen Town 27 5 4 18 27 56 19
12. Prestatyn Town 26 4 5 17 27 61 17
