Champions PHC Zebras will attempt to close the gap on Premier Division leaders North Village when they host unpredictable Young Men’s Social Club at PHC Field tonight (8pm).

PHC trail Village by four points heading into the intriguing clash with three matches remaining in the 2024-25 campaign and can ill-afford any further slip-ups if they are to clinch an unprecedented fourteenth league title.

“Every game from now until the end of the season is a final, and Friday night’s game is the first one,” Daren Usher, the PHC captain, told The Royal Gazette.

“The plan is keep the race going as long as possible. Anything can happen and as long as we don’t drop any points there’s still something to fight for.”

As for his team’s opponents, Usher said: “Social Club have shown that they can go toe-to-toe with anyone on their day, so they can’t be taken lightly.”

Despite hovering just above the relegation zone, Social Club have proved they can beat anyone on their day and will be keen to avenge a 2-0 defeat at home to Zebras in the first league encounter between the two rivals this season.

Mike Smith, the Social Club coach, has no doubt his team can come away with a favourable result on the road.

“I feel that if we come prepared mentally, stick to tactics and the game plan, we can compete with anybody on any day, so we are basically going up there like we would any other game,” he said.

“We are going to try our best to stay organised defensively, look to take our chances offensively, give 125 per cent and then see where the chips fall at the end of the match.

“We have a lot of respect for PHC who are the league champions and playing them at home is never an easy task.”