The race for a finish in respectable positions on the table is expected to intensify, and every match played in the league is crucial for teams hoping to meet their objectives by the end of the season.

KwaZulu-Natal outfit Durban City are set to host TS Galaxy at Chatsworth Stadium, a fixture that will see both sides battling to maintain their place inside the top half of the league standings.

Meanwhile, relegation-threatened Magesi FC are in desperate need of a change in fortunes under new coach Allan Freese following a poor first half of the season which has seen them rooted to the bottom of the standings. The Limpopo-based outfit will welcome Golden Arrows at Seshego Stadium.

Durban City v TS Galaxy

Both Durban City and TS Galaxy have managed to keep pace with the big guns in the top half of the table, separated by just a single point.

City currently sit sixth on the league standings with 24 points from 17 matches, while Galaxy are hot on their heels with one point fewer and occupy the position directly below them on the table.

The narrow gap between the two sides makes the encounter even more intriguing, with victory vital for either club in their pursuit of maintaining a Top8 spot.

Both teams head into the clash following defeats in their previous league outings, but Galaxy will take confidence from their Nedbank Cup victory, which secured them a place in the last 16 of the competition, while City will be eager for redemption and a return to winning ways after their Ke Yona Cup exit at the hands of fellow Premiership side Chippa United, losing 3-2 on penalties following a goalless draw.

Magesi FC v Golden Arrows

With new coach Allan Freese now at the helm, Magesi have everything to play for as they fight to preserve their top-flight status. The club has managed to collect just 11 points from their opening 15 matches, placing them firmly among the early relegation candidates.

However, only four points separate them from safety at this stage should they begin to accumulate results, which will undoubtedly place the experienced Freese under pressure to deliver immediate improvement.

They face an Arrows side with a different objective, as the battle for a Top8 finish remains the priority for Abafana Be'sthende, who currently occupy 10th position on the table with 17 points from 16 games.

Arrows arrive with confidence after recording a convincing 3-0 victory over Orbit College to advance in the Nedbank Cup, earning them the favourites tag going into the encounter, while Dikwena Tsa Meetse were eliminated by lower-division side Upington City FC, losing 5-4 on penalties after a scoreless draw.

However, with Magesi welcoming a new coach, the outlook could shift for the Limpopo-based club, a scenario Arrows will be fully mindful of with players likely to give their all in order to impress a new face at the helm of the club.

Betway Premiership returns with high-stakes Friday night showdowns