Game Week 4 of the Dialog Champions League sees the teams play their first midweek clash of the season, putting fitness levels and squad depth to the test.
ThePapare.com has a look at what to expect from the fourth round of encounters in the DCL 2016.
Group A
SL Army SC v Negombo Youth SC (Match postpond)
Army SC will be the favourites to pick up 3 points yet again this week as they take on a Negombo Youth team who are yet to get any points on the board.
Last week the boys from Negombo found themselves 1-0 up against Blue Star, but somehow managed to find a way to lose 3-2 from that position.
They’ll need to be wary of Army forward Mohamed Issadeen, who leads the league goal scoring charts with 2 hat tricks in as many games.
Matara FC v Up-Country Lions (13th July at Matara Football Complex at 3:30pm)
Up-Country Lions have punched above their weight so far in their Group A games but will face a difficult challenge against Matara City FC who will be desperate to get some points at home.
The Lions will know that any chances of an unlikely top four finish hinge heavily on this result and a win would do them a world of good.
They also enjoy the advantage of coming into the game with less fatigue after enjoying the week off in Game Week 3.
Blue Star SC v Civil Security SC (13th July at Vernon Fernando Stadium at 3:30pm)
Blue Star SC somehow managed to put their 6-0 debacle against Army behind them last week with a fantastic come-from-behind 3-2 win over Negombo Youth in their first match under new coach G.B.C.Karunathilake.
They will expect their winning run to continue at home against a Civil Security team who sit rock bottom of Group A without a goal under their belt.
Colombo FC v Crystal Palace FC (10th July at City Football Complex at 3:15pm)
Colombo FC came into the game with two wins on the trot but this will be their toughest opponents of the group stage so far.
They should fancy their chances at home though with fatigue likely to affect the team from Gampola who had to travel to Anuradhapura on Sunday for their Week 3 clash.
Crystal Palace will rely on their foreign duo of Aba and Erastus for goals as they look to bounce back from last week’s defeat.
This match will be shown LIVE on ThePapare.com
Group B
SL Air Force SC v Super Sun SC (13th July at Ekala Grounds at 3:30pm)
Air Force play their third straight game at home and will be favourites to beat Super Sun SC who sit at the bottom of Group B following 3 consecutive defeats.
Last week’s performance was the best we’ve seen yet from the Beruwala based team, but their defense needs to get their act together if they are to stop the likes of Kavindu Ishan and Nipuna Bandara running riot at home.
Renown SC v Java Lane SC (13th July at Kelaniya Football Complex at 3:30pm)
Renown sit at the top of Group B after a big win against New Youngs last week and come toe to toe this week with the cross town rivals in what should be an entertaining clash.
Java Lane have struggled to get their season up and running, a late Janaka Chaminda goal against Navy securing just their 2nd point after 3 games last week.
Java Lane really need something from this game and may settle for a point against an in form Renown team.
New Youngs SC v Saunders SC (13th July at Albert F. Peiris Stadium at 3:30p.m)
New Youngs SC will be bitter after their 3-0 loss at home to Renown last week but can make amends almost immediately, when Saunders pay them a visit.
Saunders registered their first win of the season last week and will be heartened by the performances of some of their more experienced players.
New Youngs on the other hand need to be more clinical in front of goal if they are to beat their visitors from Colombo.
Thihariya Youth SC v Police SC (14th July at Kelaniya Football Complex at 3:30pm)
Police SC have a clear advantage of having enjoyed their rest week, over the weekend and will be fresh for an important clash against Thihariya Youth.
Police will know that this is a must-win game for them if they are to put themselves into Super 8 contention.
Thihariya Youth on the other hand will be looking to beat a team for the first time this season but will have to play out of their skins against a rejuvenated Police team.
