Trying to build on the back of their incredible 7-2 thumping of Colby last Saturday Corinthians will be hoping to make it six points from six against a fellow drop zone threatened side when they travel to 11th placed Michael United.

Until now the Aces have no doubt enjoyed the comfort of knowing they have a considerable number of games in hand over their rivals, but the clock is now slowly ticking on this luxury.

A defeat to the seemingly rejuvenated Whites would be Nick Hurt's side's seventh in nine games and put them firmly in the thick of it in 12th place. On the other hand a winning result at Balleira Road would see the Noble's Park outfit move out of the drop zone for the first time since late summer.

Chris Cannell will be a noticeable absentee for Paul Healy and John Coppell's team as he will be on international duty in Suffolk for the Island under-18s but veterans Barry Canipa and Nigel Moody should show the squad's strength in depth and provide seamless cover.

Midfielder Johnny Holland was perhaps the one positive factor for Michael after their convincing 4-0 clobbering at St George's last weekend but the westerners will know it'll have to be much more of an all-round spirited effort this time round if they are to bag a priceless win.

>> See what the 'experts' think this weekend's scores will be in the Pundits' Picks game below

The other crunch six-pointer takes place at Andreas Playing Fields where Ayre United welcome the aforementioned Colby to the north in a make-or-break afternoon for the hosts.

Martin Torr and Steve Jauncey's men defied the odds early on in the campaign and got off to an eye-catching start which signalled they may produce a much more fruitful season than many predicted. However, a disastrous run of form has since left them rock bottom and seemingly preparing for life in CFS Division Two come August.

Likewise, Dave Kneale's southerners were the talk of the Island early on as they quickly established a more than respectable midtable standing and looked to be going from strength to strength.

But these are fickle times in Manx football and a loss to Ayre on Saturday would pull them right down into the mix, especially with the likes of Michael and Gymns having games in hand.

At the other end of the table it's once again over to St Mary's to prove they can keep pace with the front runners step for step as they welcome outside title hopefuls DHSOB to the Bowl.

It would seem the Saints have become somewhat of a thorn in the side of the traditional powerhouses as Peter Langridge's pretenders keep churning out win after win.

This clash against Old Boys, however, will be their first definitive league match in some time with Colin Purvis's visitors knowing that a defeat by their Douglas neighbours would certainly end their championship quest.

Similarly, St Mary's will understand all too well that anything but wins from here on in will stack the odds firmly against them and their new-found resolute reputation must stay true if the title is to come to the Bowl in May.

Rivals St George's will be looking to dispel the ghosts still haunting them the last time they played Ramsey when they went down 2-1 as they prepare to face the northerners at Glencrutchery Road.

Geordies managed to turn around a very ropey spell a third of the way through the season and have now put themselves in prime position to recapture their Premier League crown.

The champions looked lethal in the second half again Michael last week and if they find that kind of form again I can't see mid-table Ramsey causing them too many problems on this occasion.

Finally, it's leaders Peel's turn to maintain the matchplay pace as they welcome the up-and-down Union Mills to Douglas Road.

Millers have proven they can mix it with the best over the last couple of seasons but with the westerners in ruthless league form of late I can't see anything but another home win for the Sunset City side.

Rick Holden hasn't been afraid to mix things up tactically this season with striker Juan Killip regularly playing out wide and rumours of midfielder Johnny Myers playing as a centre-forward occasionally.

Whatever formation takes to the field you can bet the home fans will give their side plenty of vocal backing as Peel look to complete the finishing straight in style and win their first league title in seven years.

Pundits' Picks
With only two of last Saturday's limited Premier League programme going ahead it remains very much as you were in iomtoday's Pundits' Picks game.

Both combatants picked up a point a piece last week meaning Rick F's lead remains at two points.

Andy D
Sure Mobile Premier League
St George's 4-1 Michael One point - actual score 4-0
Colby 2-2 Corinthians No points - actual score 2-7
St Mary's 3-1 Ramsey P

Rick Faragher
Sure Mobile Premier League
St George's 3-0 Michael One point
Colby 2-2 Corinthians No points
St Mary's 3-1 Ramsey P

Season totals
Rick F 44 Andy D 42

This week's picks...
Andy D
Sure Mobile Premier League
St George's 3-0 Ramsey
Michael 2-3 Corinthians
Peel 3-1 Union Mills
St Mary's 2-2 DHSOB
Ayre 1-2 Colby

Rick F
Sure Mobile Premier League
St George's 5-2 Ramsey
Michael 1-2 Corinthians
Peel 3-1 Union Mills
St Mary's 2-1 DHSOB
Ayre 2-2 Colby