Combination sides embark on their quest for glory in the Ascot Hotel Junior Cup this Sunday with a full programme of preliminary round games set to take place.

Runaway Canada Life Combination One leaders Rushen United will start as favourites to make it a league and cup double and begin with a home tie against Marown.

The latter lie sixth in JCK Combination Two and therefore the Spaniards will start as favourites to progress to the first round proper.

Likewise the same can be said of DHSOB who themselves remain in the hunt for glory in both Combi One and the Junior Cup.

The Blackberry Lane side are the only threat to Rushen’s title ambitions and will also be hoping to send out a statement of intent in the cup when they host Combi Two battlers Douglas and District.

The draw has thrown up three all-Combi One affairs, the closest of which is likely to be at the Bowl where Junior Cup holders St Mary’s will hope to put an inconsistent league season behind them when they play host to St George’s.

Elsewhere, Douglas Royal versus Braddan may also prove to be a tight contest but the Whites will start as favourites having defeated the Swans 3-1 last time the sides met earlier in the season.

The other all-Combi One tie should be a little more one-sided, with Peel expected to win comfortably away at bottom-of-the-table Colby at the Station Fields.

Last year’s beaten finalists Laxey will be expected to get their potential cup run off to a winning start when they travel north to take on Combi Two midtable side Ayre United.

Onchan are currently flying high in Combi Two and therefore will have their sights set on a cupset at the Nivison Stadium where they go up against Combi One side St John’s, although the latter should prove too strong.

Douglas Athletic have thus far enjoyed a decent season and lying seventh in Combi One, therefore the Pinks will be expected to win at Union Mills.

Malew will start as favourites away at lowly Foxdale and Michael United v Governor’s Athletic sees the bottom two teams go head-to-head at Balleira Road and should be a close affair.

All games kickoff at 2pm.