There are no fewer than four inter-club derbies taking place in the Rossborough Manx hockey leagues this Saturday.

Although the higher-placed teams will start as favourites, these derbies have proven in the past that they can provide wildly unpredictable results.

First up Valkyrs A take on their struggling B team in the Women’s Premier League. There is no way that the A team will give their B team any sort of help in their battle for survival, but they may not need it.

The B team’s form over the past couple of weeks has resulted in them earning their first league point and making it into the final of the MHA Women’s Cup, so a surprise is certainly on the cards here.

Elsewhere in the women’s top flight, leaders Vikings A take on Ramsey A with the northerners sitting second from bottom and Vikings six points clear at the top. Ramsey will certainly face an uphill task.

Castletown A have struggled in recent weeks and things are unlikely to abate this weekend up against an in-form Bacchas A.

In the Men’s Premier League there are two inter-club derbies including Valkyrs A facing their relegation-threatened B team.

Few will expect a miracle here, especially with the A team’s form over the past few weeks and Ollie Webster goal-scoring ability.

The other sees a dress rehearsal for the MHA Cup semi-final when Vikings A take on Vikings B.

The A team is the huge favourite and with Vikings B already four points clear of relegation they will not want to get in the way of their first team’s title tilt.

Ramsey A face a tough fixture against current league leaders Bacchas A.

Men’s Division One sees leaders Castletown A take on strugglers Vikings C, who last week defeated a depleted Bacchas B side to make their way into the MHA Plate final for the second successive year despite their lowly league position. They will therefore provide tough opposition for the southerners.

Fellow title chasers Bacchas B have a slightly easier game against Castletown B, but no doubt the southerners’ second string will be keen to do their first team a huge favour.

Harlequins, leaders in Women’s Division One, face bottom side Valkyrs C in what should be a cut-and-dry result, while there is a Douglas derby when old rivals Vikings B face off against Bacchas B.

Men’s Division Two sees Bacchas C play Castletown Colts in what should be a closely-matched tie. Runaway leaders Harlequins B face one of their title rivals Ramsey B, but with the Quins first team not having a match this weekend expect the second string to be strong with a number of their under-18s playing.

Valkyrs C take on Bacchas Colts in the final game with the latter looking favourites.

Women’s Division Two is one of the closest with all of the teams capable of beating anyone else.

Current leaders Vikings C face a tough fixture against Bacchas C, with both sides chasing the title dream, while Castletown C take on clubmates Castletown Colts in what should be another close encounter.