There's four Clubs in contention for the sole promotion spot in West 1, and with the West Championship Committee confirming this week there's still no agreement on the rest of the promotion and relegation malarky, it means there loads still to play for across the leagues.
10 team leagues means we could have three relegated from West 1 to 2, and four from West 2 to 3, or, if it's still 12 team leagues for another season, we'd have two up and two down between each of the leagues, which would breathe a bit of life back into the top of West 2.
In West 1, we have East Kilbride, Allan Glens, Garnock and Greenock Wanderers all duking it out at the top. EK lead the pack, but have played more than the rest, so it's by no means over.
EK visit Greenock Wanderers for what is potentially game of the weekend across the Scottish Club game. EK won their first encounter in November, but it was tight, and down to the last kick of the game. We're expecting a similarly intense battle this time round, and with both having beaten Garnock since the Christmas break, they still appear to be on form.
We've run a few scenarios through our spreadsheet for who will win the league, and the most interesting one has all four of the title challengers finishing on 89 points, but for that to happen, we need this weekends result at Fort Matilda to be a draw - so that's what we're going for, with bonus point wins for both Glens and Garnock.
The Annan v Irvine game won't have an impact on either promotion or relegation, but it's 5th v 6th and there's only a point between them. It will be close, so we're going with home advantage on this one.
The potential of 10 team leagues next season means there's much to play for in the relegation battle.
Dalziel are favourites for the drop, and this weekend they visit Stewartry. The league table suggests this is a comfortable home win, but with nothing much to play for, and now having lost four in a row, Stewartry can't be certain of the victory. We have a sneaky feeling Dalziel will be well up for this one, so are going for an away win.
In the remaining West 1 game, we have another contest that could have a massive impact on relegation.
11th placed Cumnock host 10th placed Strathendrick - there might be 8 points between them, but their points for and against are similar. Since the Christmas break, Endrick have played two and lost two, Cumnock played three and won one. It's another close one, so again for us, it's home advantage that will make the difference.
In West 2, Lenzie are two bonus point wins away from the title. This weekend, they host Helensburgh, who have won a couple of games since Christmas, but we still have this down as a home win.
The league restructuring question re-opens the possibility of a second promotion place, which is potentially between four Clubs - Oban, Strathaven, Uddingston and Clydebank are all in the running, having each lost five games this season. Oban are slight favourites as they have the most bonus points, but come the end of the season, it doesn't look like there's going to be much in it.
This weekend Oban travel to Bishopton, which will be tough, but we reckon the visitors will pick up a win.
Strathaven were due to play Millbrae, but as Millbrae have been "withdrawn" from the league, Strathaven have a free weekend.
Uddingston host Cumbernauld and should pick up a bonus point win, but Cumbie currently have the third lowest points conceded in the league, so the bonus point can't be guaranteed.
Clydebank have an awkward trip to Stranraer. Wigtownshire look to have played only one competitive game in the last two months, which isn't ideal for them, whilst Clydebank have played four in the same time, having won two of them. There's not much between them in points for and against, though Clydebank are comfortably ahead in the league. We're going with a Clydebank win, but reckon it will be close.
In the final West 2 game, we have Paisley hosting Loch Lomond. The league table suggests a home win, and Paisley have three wins from three since Xmas, whilst Lomond have a couple of losses. We're going with a home win.
In West 3, WD lead the way, but Uni Medics are only four points behind and have a game in hand. WD visit Shawlands in a rescheduled match whilst Uni Medics are away at Birkmyre; we're going with away wins in both fixtures.
The other two games in the league both look interesting.
Lochaber v Hyndland is 3rd v 8th. Lochaber are 12 points ahead in the table, but Hyndland have three games in hand. We'll go with a home win, but Hyndland are a stronger team now than when they met in November, and Hyndland won that one.
Cowal v Isle of Mull is a contest between 6th and 4th. Cowal have lost their last couple of games, whilst Mull beat WD in their last game (but that was January 5th). We'll go with an away win, but not sure on this one.
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