Time is running out for Ubuntu Cape Town to avoid relegation from the National First Division (NFD).
They are one from bottom on the standings propped up by Eastern Cape outfit Mthatha Bucks – two teams will be relegated.
Now if Ubuntu can reproduce the form shown in the Nedbank Cup it would help their cause immensely.
They knocked over two PSL clubs to reach the quarter-finals and then more than held their own against Free State Stars, another top-tier club, with the game running in extra time at Athlone Stadium before being settled in favour of Stars by way of a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw.
Ubuntu get a crack at another team from the Free State in the form of NFD rookies Super Eagles, who complete the bottom three.
No doubt whoever prevails at Goble Park as the season winds down – with five rounds to go – will breathe a huge sigh of relief.
Both camps have lost 10 times from 25 outings.
Eagles boast six wins and have amassed 27 points, while Ubuntu have bagged five, four of them netted this year, for 25 points.
Table-topping Highlands Park (56 points) have opened up a 15-point lead and are set to be crowned champions today if they pick up a home win from their tie with Pretoria University at the Makhulong Stadium.
Even a draw for the Lions of the North, who lost the first-round fixture, would be enough to secure the title and automatic promotion to the PSL should next best Black Leopards and Jomo Cosmos fail to win.
Park have gone 20 matches unbeaten (17 wins overall), which is a NFD record.
Second-placed Leopards, who have only lost one of their last 10 outings, welcome struggling Uthongathi FC to the Thohoyandou Stadium.
Lidoda Duvha are two points clear of third-placed Cosmos.
Uthongathi of KwaZulu-Natal beat Leopards in round three for one of their five wins in their debut season that sees the league newcomers four from bottom on the table.
Stellenbosch FC tackle Royal Eagles at Athlone Stadium (3pm kickoff).
The Cape side are out of the running for a play-off spot following a lean run of form for the one-time pacesetters.
Only two victories from 10 starts this year scuppered their chances of ending third.
The third Mother City club, seventh-placed Cape Town All Stars (35 points), are in action tomorrow (Sunday) hosting fifth-placed Witbank Spurs (36) at Athlone Stadium.
Both sides stand a decent chance of challenging for the third spot currently held by Cosmos (39).