RELEGATION is threatening seven teams in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) this season.
This season witnesses the toughest relegation battle as a significant number of teams are likely to be booted out as some teams have equal points and others are separated by a point or two.
Two teams have been relegated and two more candidates are yet to be decided.
Shabanie Mine, Black Rhinos, Harare City, Triangle, Chapungu, Buffaloes and How Mine find themselves in the fight of their life. They have to win their next assignments to be safe.
Chapungu and Black Rhinos clash at Ascot in a fight of the uniformed forces. Chapungu are from the Airforce of Zimbabwe while Black Rhinos are an army outfit.
Both teams are on 34 points presenting a dog-eat-dog affair at Ascot.
The teams will not be playing for a draw as a stalemate may see both teams relegated depending on how the other teams play.
This match may see one team relegated to the First Division.
Black Rhinos fought relegation last season until the last day of the season under the tutelage of Arthur Tutani.
This season they are under the same predicament and they need to win the match if they are to remain in the top flight.
Rhinos will be missing the services of Milton Kurewa while Chapungu will be without Victor Bangira who are serving one match suspension each.
The last Premiership edition of the Lowveld derby will be at Chishamiso Stadium on Sunday pitting relegated Chiredzi FC and Triangle FC.
The two former sister teams clash in the reverse fixture that was won by Triangle.
Lameck Nhamo scored the first hat trick of the season as Triangle won 3-1. Munyaradzi Chiwara scored Chiredzi’s solitary goal.
Chiredzi have nothing to play for, but are compelled to play fairly as selling out the game in favour of Triangle would have negative repercussions.
Shabanie Mine found themselves in the murky waters again after succumbing to a 0-1 loss to Black Rhinos at Rimuka Stadium last week.
That moved them down the ladder.
They are on 32 points and welcome Highlanders at Maglas Stadium on Sunday.
Highlanders who have finally found a winning formula will be playing for prestige as they have slim chances of making it into the top four.
A top four finish will guarantee the Bulawayo giants of defending the Mbada Diamonds Cup.
Elsewhere, CAPS United seek to seal a place in the top four when they play host to relegation-threatened Harare City.
Harare City meet their nemesis CAPS United reminding them of a 2-2 draw at the same venue last year.
City needed a victory but CAPS held the title aspirants to a draw and they lost the Premiership on goal difference to Dynamos.
This year CAPS United may condemn City to relegation.
Stakes are high in the match as both teams have something to play for.
City have two players suspended for accumulating three yellow cards Munyaradzi Diro-Nyenye and James Jam while CAPS will miss the services of Hardlife Zvirekwi.
Hwange will use home advantage as they clash with fellow miners in a battle for the fourth place.
Hwange trail FC Platinum by three points.
A victory for Hwange will propel them into the top four who will play in the Mbada Diamonds Cup.
The match may go either way.
Bantu Rovers play their last Bulawayo derby in the Premiership against How Mine, who are also keen on avoiding relegation, at Hartsfield Stadium on Sunday.
Gweru may have derbies next season if Chapungu survive as Whawha – who are from the Midlands capital have been promoted.
The Zvishavane derby between Shabanie Mine and FC Platinum might be a thing of the past as the Chinda Boys might be relegated.
In Mutare, the outcome of the Eastern region Division One Soccer League might set up the Mutare derby if Mutare City Rovers or Buffalo Junior are promoted into the top flight.