Following a week of Irish Cup action, the Men’s Premier League returns with Belfast Harlequins set to host Queen’s University at Deramore Park.
The visitors come into the weekend without a defeat in their last ten league games in a run which goes back to the business end of last campaign.
Last time out, goals from Ben Law (2) and Mark Barlow saw the side record a 3-1 win over title-challenging Instonians, keeping the side top of the division by just one point.
Out to end that unbeaten streak, Belfast Harlequins have had a mixed start to the season, winning two and losing two of their opening four games.
However, the hosts can take confidence from their result in this fixture last season when goals from Hamdi Faisal and Cameron Ruttle saw them secure a 2-1 win over the students.
In Lisburn, South Antrim host Portadown, where a win could see the visitors climb to top spot in the division.
With three wins from four outings, Portadown have made a strong start to the season and currently sit third, just one point off top spot.
They now travel to South Antrim, who themselves are currently seventh and could climb as high as fourth with a win, but come into the tie without a win in their last two outings.
An impressive 2-2 draw away to Queen’s University was followed by a disappointing 3-1 loss to CI Annadale, leaving the side with just one win from their opening four games.
Elsewhere, Instonians are hoping to avoid a third consecutive defeat when they host Kilkeel at Shaw’s Bridge.
Having picked up seven points from their opening three games, the Belfast side have suffered back-to-back losses against Queen’s University and CI Annadale.
Now looking to bounce back, they host struggling Kilkeel, who are without a win this season.
In Comber, CI Annadale could make it three wins in a row when they travel to face bottom of the league North Down.
The visitors have suffered a tough start to the season and losing all four of their opening league games as well as exiting the Irish Hockey Trophy with a 1-0 loss to PSNI last weekend.
Meanwhile, their hosts have seen an upturn in form, winning back-to-back games to climb to fifth in the league.
The final game of the weekend sees Bangor make the trip to The Glade as they take on high-flying Mossley.
The hosts come into the weekend second in the division as the only side to still have a 100% record this season, having won all three of their games against CI Annadale, Belfast Harlequins and North Down.
A large part of their form has been the scoring record of Neal Glassey who has scored in each of their three games and has already netted six goals this season.
However, they now take on a Bangor side that put seven past North Down in their most recent league meeting and are amongst the highest scoring sides in the division, netting 15 times.
PHOTO: Front Row Union