The stakes are high for Premier Division title contenders PHC Zebras and North Village heading into their crucial league encounter at Bernard Park tonight (9pm).

Zebras are third in the table, a point behind leaders Devonshire Colts and second place Dandy Town, with champions Village right on their heels two points adrift.

Both teams have a chance of replacing Colts at the summit and can ill afford losing any ground in what is shaping up to be a tight title race.

Village hold a psychological advantage after beating their opponents 3-2 in the preliminary round of the Friendship Trophy last month and also taking a point off them in a 1-1 stalemate in the first league meeting between two of the island’s most successful clubs last October.

Village are hosting PHC for the first time this season and coach Cal “Patches” Dill has urged his players not to take the away side for granted with so much at stake.

“As with any game we play we must continue to put in the hard work first in training and then carry it into the match,” he told The Royal Gazette.

“We can't take any team for granted as this is the business end of the season, so we will come ready and focused for every match going forward.”

PHC captain Daren Usher is also well aware of the importance of the match and anticipates another gruelling contest between the teams.

“We know this is going to be a difficult task at hand, but as always we are up for it,” he said.

“It’s a chance to stay in the title race for both teams, so we need to show up prepared for a fight the entire match.”

PHC will welcome coach Cecoy Robinson back on the sideline after he missed his team’s FA Cup first round victory over Somerset Trojans last time through suspension.

First Division leaders Robin Hood will take on fifth-place Wolves in the opening match of a double header at Bernard Park (7pm).

Hood top the standings by two points over second place Trojans. They host Southampton Rangers at Somerset Cricket Club on Sunday.