Tricky tie awaits champs-elect Highlands Park
Tshakhuma are a tough nut to crack at home
Stars,
Athlone Stadium (3.30pm); Maritzburg United v Bloem Celtic, Harry Gwala Stadium (3.30pm)
Kaizer Chiefs v Baroka, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (8.15pm) Sunday: Starting with a tricky trip to Venda to battle Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila at Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday (3.30pm), Highlands Park need only four points to gain automatic promotion, with six matches to spare.
Highlands Park have been on top of the National First Division standings since November.
But a win against Tshakhuma might require the Lions of the North to dig deeper because the Venda-based side have a solid home record, having collected 22 of their 36 points at Thohoyandou Stadium.
However, Highlands have been good on the road.
They have won nine away games, compared to seven at home.
If the statistics are anything to go by, this encounter promises to be a circumspect affair.
Another element that makes Tshakhuma an uphill battle for Highlands is that the Sello Chokoe-coached outfit is challenging to secure a play-offs berth as they are fifth on the log.
After losing 1-0 to relegationthreatened Richards Bay two weeks ago, Chokoe admitted they must beat Highlands at all costs if they are to be among the top three teams at the end of the season.
NFD FIXTURES ( 3.30pm) Saturday: Sunday: