An early Christmas cracker is in store this weekend when a northern derby takes centre stage in JCK Division Two on Saturday afternoon.
Youthie are one of only two senior men’s teams who remain unbeaten in Manx football heading into this weekend’s fixture, the other being runaway Combination One leaders St Mary’s.
Ray Leech’s men currently enjoy a three-point cushion over Pulrose United and Foxdale at the top of the second division, with Ramsey two points further adrift.
That said, RYCOB have played a game more than those three sides and could well end the day off the league summit should results go against them on Saturday.
Indeed, Ramsey are themselves unbeaten in their last nine games - ironically they last tasted defeat when losing 2-1 to Youthie in the reverse fixture so they will be desperate to exact revenge.
Should RYCOB slip-up, Pully will be waiting in the wings and should start as favourites to get the better of Gymns at Springfield Road.
United go into the match on the back of a comprehensive 8-0 win at Michael, while Gymns lost heavily at Ramsey. Therefore, it points to a home win this weekend, but Gymns’ improved form of late means they could make life difficult on their day.
An intriguing battle is on the cards at Clagh Vane where Malew host Foxdale, with both sides battling for the top four. The visitors are three points clear of the southerners at present, but Malew won the reverse fixture 3-1 earlier in the campaign so this should turn out to be a close contest.
Douglas and District were in rampant form as they thrashed Governor’s Athletic 10-1 in the sole Div Two game to go ahead. This weekend’s trip to Ayre United promises to be a tougher task and the Tangerines will just about start as favourites.
Onchan remain five points behind the top four and therefore they’ll be eager to close the gap when they host a resurgent Colby at the Nivison Stadium, while the final game sees Union Mills favourites to beat Governor’s Athletic at Bemahague.