SATURDAY JD WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW

Cardiff Met will need disrupt The New Saints’ title march to prevent their hopes of automatic European qualification slipping away in this evening’s televised fixture.

The injury-hit Students have hit a rocky patch of form since the league split and find themselves on a run of four straight league defeats. The Saints are 12 points clear with a game in hand as they look to wrap their latest league championship.

Whilst already guaranteed a place in the end of season play-offs, Cardiff Met face stiff competition from Bala Town, Bangor City and Connah’s Quay for the JD Welsh Premier League’s second automatic European spot, and those clubs are pulling away with games running out.

Bala Town climbed into second place after Chris Venables’ braced secured them a 2-1 win over Bangor City on Friday night. The 11 point gap between second and fifth-placed Cardiff Met means that realistically, the Students cannot afford to drop anymore points this season.

Connah’s Quay’s fixture with Cefn Druids this afternoon will go ahead following a pitch inspection this morning. The Nomads, fourth, will be looking to build after a fine 2-1 Welsh Cup victory over The New Saints midweek.

In the mid-Wales derby between Newtown and Aberystwyth, the Robins are searching for their third straight win in all competitions in what is a dress rehearsal of next month’s Welsh Cup semi-final. Aberystwyth Town, 10th, visit Latham Park knowing that a win would see them forge an 11 point gap over Carmarthen Town, who sit perilously in the relegation zone.

Saturday’s JD Welsh Premier League fixtures:
Connah’s Quay vs Cefn Druids (2.30)
Newtown vs Aberystwyth (2.30)
Cardiff Met vs The New Saints (7:00) *Live on S4C/Sgorio