Mzuzu City Hammers and Extreme FC face each other at Rumphi Stadium on Saturday in a crucial match that could change the positions of the two sides in the NBS Bank National Division League.

Extreme, who are second on the log table with 27 points from 14 matches, are just one point ahead of third-placed Hammers, who have collected 26 points from 15 games.

The two teams will be fighting for second place, with Extreme needing a win to move to 30 points, while Hammers can overtake their opponents with victory and move to 29 points.

Both sides will also be looking to reduce the gap on leaders Songwe Border United, who have 35 points from 16 matches.

Extreme have two games in hand, while Hammers have one, giving the former an advantage in the promotion race.

The teams have also recorded similar goal-scoring statistics.

Hammers have scored 20 goals and conceded 12, compared to Extreme’s 19 goals scored and 14 conceded.

Elsewhere on Saturday, bottom-placed Changalume Barracks will be chasing their first league victory when they host Chilobwe United at Zomba Stadium.

Chilobwe are seventh with 22 points from 15 matches and will be hoping to move closer to the top four.

They have won six matches, drawn four and lost five, while Changalume are still searching for their first win after 14 games.

Changalume have managed just four draws and suffered 10 defeats, leaving them with four points at the bottom of the table.

A victory would take Chilobwe to 25 points and potentially improve their position, depending on other results.

For Changalume, three points would provide a much-needed boost in their fight to move away from the bottom of the standings.

On Sunday, eighth-placed Namitete Zitha will face Mighty Tigers at Aubrey Dimba Stadium.

Namitete have 22 points from 15 matches, level with Chilobwe but behind them on goal difference.

They will be targeting maximum points to move to 25 and strengthen their push towards the top four.

Mighty Tigers, meanwhile, are 10th with 14 points from 15 matches, having won three games, drawn five and lost seven.

Their defensive record remains a concern, having conceded 27 goals, the second-highest tally in the league.

Only Changalume, with 32 goals conceded, have allowed more.

A win for the Tigers would take them to 17 points and offer an opportunity to close the gap on the teams above them.