Two more Dudley Eve spots could be clinched this weekend when second-placed North Village take on leaders Vasco in tomorrow's top First Division soccer clash and third and fourth Southampton Rangers and St. George's meet at Wellington Oval.

The absence of key players for Vasco and Southampton Rangers should give their opponents the edge which which would set the stage for an interesting final round of matches next weekend to decide who will participate along with Vasco in the Dudley Eve holiday tournament.

The outcome of tomorrow's Vasco-Village clash at PHC Stadium could also have an important bearing on the title race. Both teams are still unbeaten in the league, although Vasco enjoy a four point lead.

And while a draw would be enough for Village to make certain of playing in the Christmas competition which involves the top four teams, the result won't accomplish anything in the way of closing the gap on the leaders.

Under the circumstances Vasco will probably be well satisfied with a draw as they have goalkeeper Timmy Figureido and winger Corey Hill both out because of one-match bans after being sent off last weekend against Somerset Eagles.

Irving Burgess, who went off injured in that match, is also doubtful. His absence would leave Vasco short of attacking power.

Southampton Rangers can virtually seal their Dudley Eve spot with a win at Wellington Oval. But several factors give the home team the edge -- not least because Janeiro Tucker will be missing from the Rangers frontline after accumulating three yellow cards which calls for an automatic suspension.

Eagles' Eddie Callender will also miss one match because of three bookings.

Tucker, converted to striker this year, is the leading scorer in the First Division and his absence is bound to hurt last season's Second Division champions. He has scored eight of the team's 11 goals in the league, and now coaches Gary Darrell and John Tucker must find the right combination from the likes of Tillman Darrell, Kwame Tucker and Rohaan Simons to try to get the goals. Darrell has even hinted at Jason Raynor, lately converted to left-back, being used in a more attacking role to compensate for Tucker's loss.

"Fortunately, or unfortunately, it has been the case where he (Janeiro) has scored all but three of our goals and now people like Tillman, Kwame and Rohaan and even the midfielders like Kelly and Randy Simmons will have to start thinking a bit more selfishly and look to get some goals themselves,'' said Darrell yesterday.

"They need to be a lot more aggressive around the penalty area, particularly the front players whose main responsibility is to score goals. It has been a concern with Janeiro scoring all the time that if he didn't score what would happen.

"We don't want to get caught with teams saying `stop Janeiro and you can beat Rangers'. That's something we've talked about for a while and we'll just have to wait and see if the guys accept the challenge.'' The last time Clay Smith returned to St. George's after missing a game was against the other promoted team, Somerset Eagles, who they trounced 6-1 to move into third place. Smith scored a hat-trick in that match two weeks ago and his (and Dean Minors') return from a cricket tour of Florida will boost the home team's attack as they make one last effort to qualify for the Dudley Eve for the first time.

Victory for the East Enders would lift them back into third spot, a point ahead of Rangers. St. George's, who cannot afford to lose tomorrow, meet Vasco in their final match of the first half while Rangers face unpredictable PHC next weekend.

Two other teams still in with a chance of qualifying are mid-table Dandy Town and Somerset Trojans, the defending champions.

Town have a good chance as they meet bottom team Somerset Eagles tomorrow and could move into the top four if St. George's draw or lose to Rangers. Town would then have to beat North Village next weekend to qualify.

Somerset, a point behind Town, have only a slim chance of qualifying. The Trojans have gone four games without a league win and form suggests they will share the points with draw specialists Boulevard at St. David's which would effectively kill off their hopes.

However, it is safe to assume also that Boulevard, who have drawn six of their seven matches, will soon finally win in the league. Against a fading Somerset team this could be their opportunity.

The other match sees second-from-bottom Devonshire Colts hosting PHC at Frog Lane. Colts produced a big upset in midweek when, with 10 men, they defeated champions Dandy Town in the Friendship Trophy. It was their first win of the season and now they are hoping things will turn around for them in the league where they are in desperate need of points.

Colts full back Keenan Burchall was sent off in midweek and will miss the game but Quincy Aberdeen is back from school abroad to boost their attack.