The 9th round of matches of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) will kick off on Friday at three separate venues across the country.
Reigning champions Bashundhara Kings to play mediocre Sheikh Russell at Bashundhara Kings Arena Stadium at 5:15 p.m., while Federation Cup Champions Mohammedan Sporting Club (MSC) will take on six-time title holder Abahani Krira Chakra Limited at Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium, Mymensingh, at 3:00 p.m., and Sheikh Jamal DC will encounter Rahmatganj MFS at the same time at Sheikh Fazlul Haque Mani Stadium, Gopalganj, on the same day.
The Kings are five points ahead of MSc at the top of the table. They won their last Premier League match 4-1 at home against Rahmatgonj MFS.
Sheikh Russell's triumph was 4-1 over Brothers Union at home to snap a six-match winless streak, leaving them in sixth place on nine points. Sheikh Russell has scored nine goals and conceded nine through eight matches.
Meanwhile, Mohammedan will be looking to ensure a berth in next season's AFC Cup with a win or a draw, hoping to sneak into the AFC Cup at the last moment.
MSC is in second place with 16 points. Third-placed Abahani is two points behind Mohammedan.
The Black & Whites earned one point in their last outing, a goalless draw at home against Sheikh Jamal, extending their unbeaten season start to eight.
Abahani's last league match resulted in a 2-2 draw against Abahani Chittagong at Sheikh Fazlul Haque Mani Stadium on February 17.
Rahmatgonj MFS travels to face Sheikh Jamal with BPL survival within the grasp of both clubs.
Sheikh Jamal sits in fifth place on 10 points, having scored five goals and conceded nine.
Rahmatgonj MFS' last league match saw them beaten for the first time in the league this season 4-1 by Bashundhara Kings at Bashundhara Kings Arena, extending their winless start to the league season to eight.