Having lost several key players in the transfer market, many had thought defending champions Manang Marshyangdi Club would be weaker this season. But after three rounds of matches in the Martyrs Memorial 'A' Division League, Manang remain the side to beat, winning all three to hold a two-point cushion over the second-placed Three Star Club.

Manang, winners of the record eight league titles, are without a single player from the current national team in their squad this season.

However, Nigerian coach Fuja Tope appears to have had the right balance in his squad so far. "We are a committed side as always and want to add another silverware to our trophy cabinet," Tope told reporters in his first presser this season. Anjan Bista will join the squad after completing a 45-day suspension. He was found guilty of violating the players' code by the country's football governing body, ANFA.

Manang began their season with a comfortable 2-0 win against the Armed Police Force and edged both Nepal Army Club and Brigade Boys Club by the same scoreline of 1-0 to continue their winning streak. They will be looking to extend that when they take on Friends Club on Monday.

Despite boasting three Brazilian players in their squad and being managed by a Brazilian coach, the Kupandole-based club are still searching for their first league points this season. They are just above the bottom side Saraswoti Youth Club on goal difference.

Saraswoti are yet to score in the competition and conceded seven goals. While it is too early to predict the outcome of the competition this season, these two sides are more likely to be fighting for their survival in the top tier league.

Nepal's veteran forward Jagjeet Shrestha has been influential in Manang's performances so far, while Bimal Rana has contributed two goals to serve good early omens for the holders. While the holders have scored four goals, their custodian Deep Karki has maintained a clean sheet. Second-placed Three Star are the other team not to concede a goal after three games.

Machhindra Club, who splashed out the most in the transfer market this season, boast the biggest goal difference. They have scored six goals—matched only by the NRT—while conceding a single goal.

The two sides go head to head in the fourth round. NRT had finished at the bottom of the table last season, with Machhindra above them. With no provision for relegation in the preceding season, both sides survived demotion but were docked two and one points respectively.

Veteran Nepal national Santosh Sahukhala, who is a goal shy of his 100th career goal in the league, is leading the scoring charts with three goals for Chyasal Youth Club. Despite failing to find the back of the net in the match against NRT, Sahukhala will be looking forward to the clash against Jawalakhel Youth Club on Tuesday to complete his century of goals.

Brigade Boys play Himalayan Sherpa Club in the second match on Tuesday. Sankata take on Nepal Police Club, while the fourth-placed Tribhuvan Army Club will face Three Star. Both matches are scheduled for Wednesday.

In the only match slated for Thursday, Armed Police Force face the bottom-placed Saraswoti Youth Club.