Saturday again will see a number of important fixtures take place throughout our three leagues. The games are slightly reduced due to our clubs participation in the West Of Scotland Cup.

PREMIER LEAGUE

Premier League Battles: Top Tier Action

Clydebank Red Star v Clydeside Athletic

RED STAR LOOK TO EXTEND GAP

Clydebank Red Star host Clydeside Athletic in what is shaping up to be a critical basement battle. Red Star will be smarting from a recent heavy loss but face a side who just bagged their first win of the season last Saturday against Bishopton.

Clydeside Athletic’s confidence will be high, but their defensive record of 33 goals conceded is the league’s worst.

A win for Red Star is vital to pull away from the bottom spot, while Clydeside will be desperate to prove their win was no fluke and leapfrog their opponents. Goals look likely in this one.

Holm Park – 9:30 am Kick off

Corinthians v Clydebank SMFC

CORINTHIANS EYE TOP SPOT

Second-placed Corinthians welcome Clydebank SMFC knowing that a victory will put them top of the table edging out Nethercraigs AFC.

With a solid foundation (P9, W6, D1, L2), Corinthians are the heavy favourites. However, Clydebank SMFC, despite their lowly position, have played the most games (12) and will be battle-hardened.

The Bankies will need to shore up a defence that has shipped 45 goals if they hope to stop the high-flying Corinthians attack from finding the net and claiming pole position.

Ravenswood – 10:15 AM Kick Off

CHAMPIONSHIP

Greater Croftpark Rose v Woodbank AFC

GAME NOW OFFF

Relegation Scramble: Greater Croftpark Rose v Woodbank

Parklea is set for a tense affair as 10th-placed Greater Croftpark Rose welcomes Woodbank AFC (9th) in a crucial bottom-half fixture. The difference between the two sides is a single point, but a yawning defensive chasm.

Woodbank AFC comes into the game with a stable 0 goal difference (7 goals for, 7 against), indicating a balanced, if unspectacular, team. Croftpark Rose, however, is leaking goals, with a worrying -8 goal difference (7 goals for, 15 against).

If The Rose cannot plug the defensive holes that have seen them concede three times the league average, Woodbank should secure the vital three points and push clear of the relegation zone.

Prediction: Woodbank to edge it.

Parklea – 10:00 am Kick Off

Third Lanark AFC V Netherton AFC

Clash of the Contenders: Third Lanark v Netherton

A genuine six-pointer is on the cards as Third Lanark Amateur (7th) hosts Netherton (6th) in a battle for the top half. While Netherton holds the slim one-point advantage, Lanark looks like the more dangerous side based on their game-in-hand.

The Amateurs boast a stellar +9 goal difference, having scored 14 and conceded just 5 in 4 matches—a remarkable rate of 3.5 goals scored per game! Netherton’s +4 goal difference, achieved over 5 games, suggests they might struggle against Lanark’s clinical attack.

Look for the home side to use their momentum to leapfrog Netherton into 6th place.

Prediction: Tight Lanark victory.

Toryglen Sports Centre – 10am Kick Off

Busby AFC V Glasgow Ansar

Giant Killer Alert? Glasgow Ansar v Busby AFC

Second-placed Glasgow Ansar faces a massive test when the dark horses of the league, Busby AFC (5th), come to town. The numbers suggest this is closer than the table indicates.

Ansar is currently riding high with 12 points, but they have played a hefty 8 games. Busby, on the other hand, has played only 4 games and sits on 9 points.

Busby’s phenomenal 2.25 points-per-game average is the second-best in the league (behind RHU Colts) and significantly better than Ansar’s 1.5. Ansar’s leaky defence, which has conceded 21 goals, will be severely tested by a Busby side that is flying under the radar.

If Busby win the match then they will prove they are a serious title challenger.

Prediction: Busby to pull off the upset.

Barlia – 10:40AM Kick off

CONFERENCE LEAGUE

River Nevis v Burnhill FC

(Burnhill – 3rd, River Nevis – 2nd)

This is the match of the weekend! Third-placed Burnhill, riding a wave of impressive victories including a 5-0 hammering of Rosebank United, host second-placed River Nevis. Burnhill’s free-scoring attack has netted 23 goals in 7 games, showcasing their title credentials.

River Nevis, meanwhile, sit one point and one game ahead of their hosts, but a recent run of two draws, including a frustrating 2-2 against Queen’s Park SFC and a goalless draw with Medics, has stalled their momentum. They will need to rediscover the winning form that saw them climb the table if they are to halt Burnhill’s charge. With the gap to leaders REMO FC potentially widening, neither side can afford to drop points in this top-three clash.

Prediction: Goals are guaranteed, but Burnhill’s recent form makes them favourites.

Venue – TBC

REMO FC V Bearsden AFC

(REMO FC – 1st, Bearsden AFC – 12th)

The ultimate David vs. Goliath fixture sees runaway leaders REMO FC (7 wins from 7) host rock-bottom Bearsden AFC (7 losses from 7).

REMO FC have been merciless this season, boasting the league’s best attack (28 goals) and the most miserly defence (9 conceded). They will be full of confidence after their recent 2-0 win over Westhill United AFC. Bearsden, unfortunately, hold the league’s worst defensive record, having shipped 36 goals and scored just 7.

While Bearsden will be desperate for their first point of the season, a result against the league’s dominant force seems a monumental task. This match is expected to be a test of how many goals the league leaders will put past the struggling visitors.

Prediction: A dominant performance and comfortable win for REMO FC.

Milton Campus – 10:00 am Kick off

Glasgow Medics v Queens Park SFC

GAME OFF

(Glasgow Medics – 8th, Queen’s Park SFC – 7th)

A tense clash is expected as Glasgow Medics (8th) host Queen’s Park SFC (7th) in a crucial mid-table battle. The Medics, with their famously tight defence, are fresh off a crucial point in a goalless draw with River Nevis, a result that shows their stubbornness when tested.

However, their scoring record of just 9 goals in 8 games is the lowest in the league, a concern they must address.

Queen’s Park will be itching to bounce back after a disappointing 2-2 draw with River Nevis, having recently shown their ability to win with a tight 3-2 victory over Bearsden. Separated by just two points and one place, this fixture is a six-pointer. If the Medics can find a clinical edge, they have a chance to leapfrog their rivals. For the ‘Spiders’, consistency is key to push into the top half.

Prediction: Queen’s Park SFC to edge a low-scoring encounter.

Greenfield Grass – 10:00 am – Kick Off

It’s set to be another action-packed Saturday across all three leagues! Get out and support your local amateur teams!