Struggling Bermuda Hogges are in danger of slipping to the foot of the league table should they lose tonight's basement battle against rock-bottom Real Maryland Monarchs in the US.

The Hogges are still licking their wounds after suffering a morale-sapping away defeat to USL-D2 new-boys Pittsburgh Riverhounds at the weekend and are without a win in five matches.

Earlier this month the Monarchs, who are also a new franchise, drew 0-0 with the Hogges at the National Sports Centre and trail Kyle Lightbourne's out of form side by just two points.

Tonight's match is the Monarchs' final home game of the season.

They lost their last game 8-0 against league leaders Charlotte Eagles.

"After some tough games away, I really feel that the team will regroup well at home and come out of this game with the win," said the Monarchs assistant coach Roger Fernandez.

The Hogges take on the Monarchs at the Maryland Soccer Plex at 9 p.m. (Bermuda time).

The final fixture of their three-match away trip is on Saturday against high-flying Cleveland City Stars at the Krenzler Stadium.

Cleveland Stars have recently signed one of Africa's most popular players in Musa Otieno.

Otieno is originally from Nairobi, Kenya, where he made over 100 appearances for the Kenya national team from 1993-2008.

He retired from international football earlier this season after serving as team captain for the previous eight years.

Otieno has played for Santos of the South African Premier League in Cape Town since 1997.

He was named the league's player-of-the-year following the 2007 season and was recently awarded the Commissioners Cup for his service and dedication to the team.