With less than half of the Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League season gone by, consequences of Monday’s match between Manang Marshyangdi Club and Machhindra Club may have little to do with silverware decisions at the end of the season.

However, the ‘clash of the titans’ is certain to draw traction among ardent football followers as the two teams have a few things in common—six players who swapped sides and their title aspirations.

Leaders Manang Marshyangdi Club take on Machhindra Club, currently at second place, when the tournament resumes on Monday. The clash was previously scheduled for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday. However, the fixture has been revised due to ‘rain and unplayable field conditions of the Dashrath Stadium’ as stated by ANFA, the apex football governing entity.

The much-awaited match between the teams separated by a single point at the top of the standings will follow the game between New Road Team and Jawalakhel Youth Club slated for a midday kick-off.

Machhindra trail the leaders only because of the deduction of a point as they had finished second from bottom in the preceding edition of the tournament which did not feature a provision for relegation.

Star midfielder Anjan Bista, one of four national players suspended by ANFA for violating the players’ code, is likely to make a comeback for Manang, the defending champions against Machhindra who boast a star-studded lineup after making top recruitments in the season break.

The battle of the contenders is certain to be an acid test for Nepal Under-23 captain Sujal Shrestha, former Nepal captain Biraj Maharjan, custodian Bishal Shrestha, midfielder Bishal Rai, defender Devendra Tamang and forward Somide Oluwawunmi Adelaja of Nigeria. All players who now play for Machhindra had shone for Manang, the runaway champions last year.

While both clubs have conceded just a single goal, Machhindra boast a better goal difference as they have found the back of the net twice more than Manang. MMC, the record winners of the league with eight titles, have scored five goals in their four matches so far.

Despite having to do with a depleted squad in comparison to the previous season, Manang have dropped points only after being held by Friends Club in the fourth round of the tournament. It was, however, a better result for Manang as they had lost to the same opponents in the last edition of the league.

In the other fifth-round matches, Friends Club play against Himalayan Sherpa Club in the only match on Tuesday. Friends are placed second from the bottom with a single point but are buoyed after holding the champions as they take on Sherpas who are just a point and a position ahead of them at 12th in the table.

On Wednesday, seventh-placed Brigade Boys play against Three Star Club, sixth, both sides also separated by a point. Santosh Sahukhala will be aiming to complete his 100th goal in the league’s history as Chyasal Youth Club play against Nepal Police Club also on Wednesday. Other departmental teams Armed Police Force and Tribhuvan Army Club play against Sankata Club and bottom-placed Saraswoti Youth Club respectively on Thursday.