There’s one big fixture apiece to watch out for in each of the PwC Men’s and Women’s Premier Divisions this weekend.

Starting with the women, Bacchas A versus Valkyrs A should go a long way to determining who chases Vikings for the title.

Valkyrs had a faltering, if not unexpected, start with a loss against Vikings and a nervy start against Harlequins. They probably start as favourites against Bacchas, but there won’t be a great deal in it.

As the Examiner mentioned earlier this week, the men’s title race is really hotting up. Present title holders Bacchas meet current league leaders Vikings at the NSC on Saturday afternoon.

For years, Bacchas have expected to win this game but this season Vikings are carrying a great deal of confidence and are stringing together good results.

Bacchas haven’t been the goal machine they’ve appeared in previous seasons. It’s five years since Bacchas A last lost a match in the Men’s Premier Division but this fixture shows every sign of being the end of that run.

Lower down the men’s top flight Vikings B look likely to have an uphill struggle against a resurgent Valkyrs A, while Bacchas B don’t look likely to have the strength this season to take points from Ramsey.

In the Women’s Premier Division, Vikings meet Harlequins in a top-versus-bottom clash which is only likely to go one way.

While Ramsey start as favourites against Castletown, a few key players in the latter team mean that the result isn’t a dead cert.

In Women’s Division One, a number of close games offer much promise - every game in this league is likely to be settled by a goal or two.

Harlequins B will hope for their first points of the season against Valkyrs C, while Ramsey B’s league position understates the quality of the team at the moment and they’ll give Vikings B a good close contest.

Valkyrs B put in a strong performance against Saracens midweek (despite playing with 10 for the first half) and they will provide league leaders Bacchas Colts with their toughest match to date.

Saracens will hope and expect to bounce back from the loss during their game with Castletown.

The lower men’s leagues also provide interesting games. Vikings C will need to win against Saracens to keep their title run alive and they will be favourites, but not by much.

Castletown and Harlequins will expect to beat Valkyrs C and Bacchas Colts respectively.

Current leaders Ramsey B should make light work of an understrength Harlequins B, while if Castletown can contain the speed of Iain Wrigley, they should take the points from Bacchas C.

With league leaders Harlequins taking a rest week in the under-16s division, Valkyrs and Saracens will look to close the gap on them by beating Bacchas and Vikings.

Saracens score a lot, but also concede a few too many. Valkyrs, on the other hand, aren’t quite as prolific in front of goal but maintain a solid and tight defence.