League football returns this weekend after the Christmas break with neighbours Southampton Rangers and PHC squaring off in a derby match that could be closer than the gap separating them would suggest.

PHC are the leaders of the Premier Division at the halfway stage of the season while Rangers still occupy last place, though now in with a good chance of climbing off the bottom depending how results go this weekend.

St George’s, who are second-from-bottom, are travelling to St John’s Field to meet Dandy Town, who thrashed them 6-0 in the Friendship Trophy recently.

Town went on to win that trophy, if only briefly, and showed signs of returning to the form that took them to the Premier Division title last season.

PHC and Rangers met on New Year’s Day in the PDL Festival Tournament final with Rangers coming out 3-1 winners and that result should give them a boost ahead of the meeting with the leaders, knowing victory could take them off the bottom. Many teams will feature college students before they return to school.

PHC were comfortable 4-0 winners when they met Rangers in their opening match of the season, but inconsistent results by the top teams means there hasn’t been a clear favourite for the title. Even Dandy Town are now back in contention despite four losses, while the top four teams, PHC, Devonshire Cougars, Somerset Trojans and Hamilton Parish, have all lost three games.

St George’s celebrated their first match back in the top flight by beating the champions 3-2 in their season-opener, but the East Enders have been slumping since climbing as high as second in the table, and on present form are likely to be involved in a scrap for survival in the second half of the season.

Flanagan’s Onions, just above the relegation places, take on second place Devonshire Cougars tonight at Goose Gosling Field (9pm). The Cougars had two home losses before Christmas, losing to PHC in the Friendship quarter-final and then suffering a controversial defeat to Somerset Trojans in the league, which knocked them out of sole possession of first place as PHC joined them on 16 points and took over top spot on goal difference.

Somerset’s match with Robin Hood has been put back to tomorrow because of Hood’s involvement in the Friendship final just two days ago. The Trojans will be gunning for revenge after Hood ended their reign as Friendship champions with victory in the Boxing Day semi-final at Wellington Oval. Somerset are third in the standings and Hood fifth, a point behind.

Just two points separate the top four teams and Hamilton Parish, who have twice blown the opportunity to take over first place in recent games, will looking to start the New Year off on a good note when they welcome North Village to Wellington Oval.

In the First Division, Devonshire Colts’ aim will be to continue on where they left off last year, after recently taking over first place and then winning the Shield final on New Year’s Day. Six points separate the top four teams, with Colts playing X-Roads tomorrow at Police Field in the top match.

BAA, who have climbed to mid-table after a slow start, play another promotion contender Wolves tonight at Goose Gosling Field, while former leaders Boulevard are away to St David’s, Paget play Young Men’s Social Club and Somerset Eagles host bottom team Ireland Rangers.