Boulevard will show defending league champions North Village plenty of respect when the two urban rivals lock horns at Bernard Park tomorrow.

But that’s just about as friendly as things will get, according to Blazers coach John Rebello.

The Premier Division leaders go into the clash knowing that anything less than a point will add fuel to a burning title race, while Village will be looking to topple their opponents from their perch and move to the head of the class.

Having seen his side squander vital points against Devonshire Cougars, Somerset Trojans and Paget, Rebello says his team are fully aware of what is at stake and more importantly are up for the challenge.

And they will need to be as as they are about to square off against a sizzling Reds team that hammered Somerset Trojans 5-0 in their last outing.

“Obviously Village’s thrashing of Somerset has been the talk of the week,” Rebello said. “They are the defending champions and you have to respect them for that.

“And I’ve always been an admirer of Village and their passing game. They’ve got some quality players.”

But then Blazers have a few match-winners of their own in captain Shaki Crockwell and pacy striker Angelo Simmons, backed by the more experienced Dwight (Payback) Warren and Chae Simmons in the middle of the park.

Team “general” Jahmah Samuels and his brother Jahmarley have also been outstanding in defence this season.

“I think mentally and physically we are prepared as well as we will ever be. The guys are geared up for the game and know what is at stake,” added Rebello, who knows a thing or two about winning championships.

Up until last season, Rebello was the last coach to win the coveted triple crown of league, Friendship Trophy and FA Cup with Vasco in 1997-98 — three years after Blazers won their last league title in 1994-95.

“It’s been 12 years and so for some of our young players this is the biggest game of their career,” he said. “So this is now their time to go on stage and shine and leave it all on the field. And whatever happens at the end of the day happens.”

Blazers topped the table by six points at the Christmas break. But through a combination of suspensions, injuries and perhaps bad luck they’ve lost a bit of shape and forfeited vital points at a crucial stage of the season.

“If we didn’t drop those points back there, then this game wouldn’t be as critical as it is,” Rebello said. “We opened up Pandora’s Box and now we have to deal with that.”

“They (players) all know what is at stake,” Rebello insisted. “And the only thing they can do is give a good account of themselves and let the chips drop where they may.”

At the opposite end of the standings, St.David’s are staring straight down the barrel of relegation.

The so-called Warriors could be condemned to playing 12.30 football next season should they lose to Trojans at Somerset Cricket Club and PHC Zebras get past neighbours Paget at Southampton Oval.

Elsewhere, Devonshire Cougars will venture into difficult territory when they travel to St.John’s Field to take on a rejuvenated Dandy Town — buoyed by last weekend’s 11-0 drubbing of Lions.

In the First Division, leaders Ireland Rangers can take another step towards clinching promotion and possibly the league title when they host X Roads, while nearest rivals Devonshire Colts could encounter stubborn resistance against resurgent Somerset Eagles at Police Field.

Southampton Rangers, whose promotion hopes suffered a setback last weekend, should bounce back against perennial whipping boys Hamilton Parish at Lords.

Wolves, whose chances for promotion are beginning to look just as slim as Southampton’s, host mid-table St.George’s at the Den, while Prospect United should put the handcuffs on Social Club at Police Field in the second match of a double-header.