BUCS Week 9 Preview: Back in action after Christmas break

After the Christmas break, we return this week to a host of competitive games in BUCS Week 9 as we see the Premier North and South action restart and we finally get to see the Welsh team play again.

Premier North

Nottingham Trent vs Warwick

The Renegades host the Wolves in the top of the table clash, last time out the Wolves came away from Butts Park with a slim victory over the Nottingham outfit. This time however the division is in their hands and the Wolves come into the match with the chance to make a real impact on the division, a win can see them cemented at the top of the division and have one eye on the playoffs, whilst the Renegades need a win to keep competing with the Gryphons and Wolves, this game has the chance to have major implications for the future of the division.

Newcastle vs Leeds

The Raiders need a win it is that simple, they have one win all season against the Liverpool Raptors and after the opening-day win it could have been a positive start for the North East side however since then it has been a disappointing time for the side scoring only 21 points this season. They face a Leeds side who look towards the top of the division rather than the bottom with a 4-1 record and only losing to top place NTU, the Gryphons will use their high-scoring offence to overpower the Raiders and take top spot in the North.

Premier South

Exeter vs Birmingham

The Demons look to build on their impressive form of late when they face the side they got their first win of the campaign against. The Lions are in desperate need of a win after their 1-4 start of the season. Birmingham are in a relegation scrap and they need a win here especially with the Cobras playing a strong Portsmouth side, another loss to the Demons secures Prem South Football for Exeter. A long journey awaits the Lions, and it could be a happy coach trip home for Brimingham if they can shock the Demons on Sunday.

Cardiff vs Portsmouth

Bottom placed Cardiff host Portsmouth who will look to close the gap between themselves and the Pride of SGS. A Destroyers loss means the Pride will be locked into the Playoffs and the Cobras will have a shot at survival in the new Prem South. Portsmouth who have looked strong all season can push on and can start to cement their second place in the division.

Tier 1 Scottish

Herriott Watt vs Glasgow

The Wolverines have had an impressive season so far now sitting joint second in the Scottish division the Edinburgh outfit faces the Glasgow Tigers who sit one spot above the Wolverines, the Scottish division is not the clearest at the minute with four sides sitting with two wins, a win for either side could help their playoff push, with both sides needing a win the division will have all eyes on this one.

Northern

Northumbria vs LJMU

A Northumbria win is expected in Newcastle as they host the Fury who are yet to win a single match. The Mustangs could extend their lead at the top of the season with a convincing win, the Fury are all but relegated and a loss here can put the final nail in the coffin of the Fury.

UCLan vs MMU

UCLan’s win over Northumbria before the winter break shows the potential and promise this side has in them, they face MMU who will look to improve on the last time they faced the Rams in a 42-0 loss.

Midlands & Yorkshire

Sheffield Hallam vs Coventry

The Warriors and the Jets are chasing the Greens with red-hot intensity and a win for either side could give them a boost for the rest of the season to push them to gain the playoff place or even challenge for the top place in the division. The Warriors are the highest scorers in the division and will need their offence to be firing on all cylinders to claim the home win against a Jets side who are returning after a defeat at the hands of the Nottingham Greens.

Hull vs Leicester

The Hull Sharks lack offensive power and are conceding the most points in the division. They face the Longhorns who sit second in the division. However these teams faced earlier in the season and with a tie that day either side cannot afford to do that again. Hull need a win to stay in the division and Leicester need to keep up with Nottingham, this will be a game with everything on the line for both sides especially with the Warriors and Jets game also on Sunday.

South Western

Bournemouth vs Swansea

Bournemouth are easily favourites in this tie. Bournemouth's high power offence and shut down Defence have got them to first in the division and Swansea will struggle in this game, especially with the fact that they haven't scored a single offensive point yet this season.

Southern

Oxford vs Brunel

Brunel have the chance to extend their lead at the top of the table against a Lancers side who will look to seek revenge for the defeat to the Burners in the last game. It’s a game that could see Oxford's season all but over as a loss would put them at 1-3 on the year with only Reading with a worse record.

Brighton vs Reading

The Panthers need to win against a weak Reading side who have conceded 121 points so far this season in just five games. A Panthers win will give them a chance of second place and a playoff appearance whilst a loss for Reading will all but seal relegation, the Knights need to win as a win will give them a slim hope of staying in the Tier.

South Eastern

UEA vs Essex

UEA will be expecting a win, playing a side who are yet to win and conceded 125 points and only scored 18. Essex travel to East Angelia to play an ex-Prem side, who need to have a strong second half of the season to have any chance of playoffs and a return to the Prem South. Essex needs a win to survive it is that simple.

KCL vs Kent

Kent and KCL is an incredible game on paper, first vs second in the Southeast. The Regents can secure the playoffs with a win whilst Kent could catch the Regents and have a shot at the number 1 in the division. The main difference between the two sides is in their defences as the Regents have conceded less than 20 and Kent have conceded 47, the key to this game is defence. It's going to be an incredible match-up.

Tier 2 North Western

Keele vs Edge Hill

This is a weird division, everyone beats everyone and Edge Hill is one of the sides who can win or lose the division. A good couple of wins set them up for a good end to the season whilst Keele can’t buy a win and may struggle again this week.

South Western

Gloucester vs Welsh team (aka Aberystwyth)

We still are yet to see these sides play more than once so cannot say much but it will be a busy time for both sides and will certainly be an entertaining one with neither of them knowing much about the other.

Worcester vs Plymouth

Again two sides we have not seen much of. A top of the table clash as the Blitz travel to the Royals in which could lead to a great game against two sides looking to take the division. Tt will be a busy time for both sides for the rest of the year and I can’t wait to see how the division finishes.