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Runaway leaders, relegation fights, a final, a Pro/Rel Playoff, and a repechage match – what a weekend we have coming up.

Perfectly poised

The Men’s Premier Division action continues on Saturday with two matches, just a few days after a full round of fixtures that took place on Wednesday night.

North Toronto and Simcoe County Rovers registered victories on Wednesday as they both reached the 30-point mark, the latter putting four goals past Burlington, and they take on each other this weekend.

Also on Saturday, ProStars, who were beaten 2-0 by North Toronto, will take on Hamilton United who are still looking for their first win of the season following a 6-0 defeat to Sigma.

There were also wins in midweek for Scrosoppi and Vaughan Azzurri, with the two teams pulling away at the top of the Premier Division due to Woodbridge Strikers dropping points after an epic Blue Devils comeback. These games set the picture for Sunday, which brings matchups that could once again have major implications for teams at the top and bottom ends of the table.

The league leaders Scrosoppi are one of the teams in action and they face Burlington. Scrosoppi have not lost since June 30 and have won seven of their nine matches since in their pursuit to top the Men’s Premier standings for the second year running.

On their tails, and having played one more game, are Vaughan Azzurri who haven’t lost since June 15. Their opponents Sigma are creeping closer to Premier Division status next season, but they will not be resting on their laurels.

Chasing Sigma are Guelph United, currently occupying the relegation playoff place and facing tough opposition in Woodbridge Strikers this Sunday as they look for a lifeline to avoid the relegation playoff in September.

In mid-table, Blue Devils meet Alliance United – two teams who have won once in their last five matches.

Championship climax

This weekend in the Men’s Championship could see the crowning of the division’s inaugural champions, and the awarding of promotion to the Premier Division for the 2025 season.

Second-placed FC London kick off on Saturday at 5pm against BVB IA Waterloo who have picked up points in their last two games as opposed to FC London dropping points. If FC London win or tie, they will be guaranteed to finish in the top two.

If FC London fail to win, then TFC Academy will be crowned champions before they take to the field at 8pm against Windsor City. But assuming FC London win, TFC will need just a point to put themselves out of reach.

Still with us? The fact that Windsor and Waterloo face high-flying opponents this weekend could make it a good opportunity for bottom side Pickering to gain on these two teams above them. Pickering face Darby on Friday night and would join Windsor on 15 points with a win.

Master’s FA, who aren’t safe from the relegation playoff yet themselves, face fifth-place North Mississauga on Saturday. While there are six points separating first and second in the standings, there are also six points separating fifth and 10th.

Then we have the matter of St Catharines Roma Wolves versus Unionville Milliken – two teams with 29 points and both fighting for that potentially season-defining Pro/Rel Playoff place.

Unionville have played one game fewer than St Catharines which means it’s theirs to lose, making this match even more crucial for St Catharines who will be doing all they can to help ensure it’s not their last run-out in 2024.

Super Saturday

There are four matches on Saturday in the Men’s Premier Division; the first one kicking off at 12pm when Sigma host Burlington – two teams struggling for form in the bottom-half of the table.

ProStars have lost their last four, and they will be looking to turn around their run of results against Alliance United who have tied four and won once in their last five. Alliance still also have an outside shot of the title.

There’s a replay of the 2023 Men’s Premier semifinal between Simcoe County Rovers and Vaughan Azzurri, as these two sides will go head-to-head once again in Barrie. This match finished 1-1 earlier in the season, and no doubt there will be no love lost between these clubs.

Both sides also come into this match in fine form – Vaughan are top of the division with four wins in their last five, including a 4-0 victory against Burlington on Wednesday, and Simcoe have been just as impressive to climb up to fifth in the standings.

The division’s bottom-side Hamilton United tied with Guelph United on Thursday, and they are back in action on Saturday to take on a dangerous North Toronto side.

Guelph meanwhile will visit Blue Devils in the action on Sunday, with the title-chasing Scrosoppi on the road at Woodbridge Strikers in a second versus third clash in the standings with five points between them.