St Mary's College could be in the hot seat on Saturday, facing a wounded St Anthony's Tigers team that has been left bruised by Naparima's 3-2 defeat on Wednesday.
With the defeat in front of their home crowd at West moorings, the Tigers have dropped two spots down the standing to fourth.
St Mary manager Junior Maxwell said they are preparing for a pack of angry Tigers after Wednesday's loss but it can just be the type of match that will bolster his players' confidence, with a win. "I believe today's match can go in any direction, and I believe my players have what it takes to pull off a win today," Maxwell explained.
He added, "The players are aware of what they're up against today. And they also know that the team faces relegation, so it will be a real battle today. In these types of battles, you never know what can happen. Once we play with the right spirit and confidence, anyone can win this afternoon."
The 'Saints' as they are commonly called, are at the bottom of the 15-team standing with just four points after nine matches. In their last encounter against SanJuan North, they were hammered 7-0, and football pundits are already predicting a wider margin defeat when they meet St Anthony's today, a match labelled 'The Battle of the Saints.'
Meanwhile, Ronald Daniel, the St Anthony's coach said he will not be taking St Mary's for granted, and reverted to his belief that the team that wants it the most, on any given day, will come away as the winner.
Daniel, known as 'Hustler' told Guardian Media in his team's last match they played attractive football but Naps won it because they wanted it more. "To be a challenger, you have to continue to work hard and this is what we will do. We have to come out firing at all ends. St Mary's is facing relegation so they will be coming for a win, so they will be coming strong," Daniel said.
At Speyside Naparima College, like St Anthony's, will not be taking their opponents lightly this afternoon, as they attempt to maintain their unbeaten run and top position on the table.
Coach Angus Eve told reporters he expects all teams to intensify their approach when they face them, saying they are a target to many. Naps are on 23 points and a victory will assure them their top spot. Second-place Presentation College on 19 points will face a tricky encounter away to an unpredictable Pleasantville Secondary.
Meanwhile, sixth-place Queen's Royal College (QRC) will be hoping to improve their position on the standings when they travel to Moka Maraval to face Trinity College. All matches on Saturday will kick off at 3:30 pm.
SATURDAY'S MATCHES
Malick vs East Mucurapo @ Hasely Crawford Stadium
Speyside vs Naparima @ Speyside
Pleasantville Sec vs Presentation @Pleasantville
Carapichaima Sec vs San Juan North @ Carapichaima
St Mary's College vs St Anthony's @ CIC Grds
St Augustine vs St Benedict's @ St Augustine
QRC vs Trinity Moka @ QRC
Latest SSFL Premiership Standings
SCHOOLS*P*W*L*D*GF*GA*GD*PTS
1*Naparima College*9*7*0*2*24*10*+14*23
2*Presentation College*8*6*1*1*24*6*+18*19
3*Carapichaima East Secondary*8*5*0*3*16*9*+7*18
4*St. Anthony’s College*8*5*1*2*24*10*+14*17
5*East Mucurapo Secondary*8* 4 1 3 17 8 +9 15
6*Queen’s Royal College*8*4*3*1*14*17*-3*13
7*San Juan North Secondary*8*3*4*1*19*7*+12*10
8*Pleasantville Secondary*8*3*4*1*12*13*-1*10
9*Malick Secondary*9*3*5*1*15*18*-3*10
10*Trinity College East*8*2*5*2*13*18*-5*8
11*Speyside High School*8*2*4*2*11*23*-12*8
12*St. Augustine Secondary*8*1*3*4*15*16*-1*7
13*St. Benedict’s College*8*2*5*1*8*16*-8*7
14*Trinity College, Moka*8*1*6*1*8*27*-19*4
15*St. Mary’s College*9*1*7*1*5*27*-22*4