Saints are in the best shape of the three teams. Tony Judge's team is in fourth spot on the PL ladder. 

Chris Walsh's United is coming seventh and Port FC, coached by Tony Wilson, is ninth.

Here are the match previews:

PORT Saints have a tough assignment on their hands on Saturday as they look to back up a good mid-week victory with a win over Macleay Valley Rangers.

Rangers were the only team to win last weekend, and have climbed the table quickly in recent weeks. 

The Kempsey-based team sits in third place going into the round, while Saints are in fourth.

Saints manager Mark Rogers was still buoyed by Tuesday night’s win over Wildcats, but he knows another is needed tomorrow.

Just the one point separates the two teams, with Saints on 18 and Rangers on 19.

“It makes the game really important for us,” Rogers said.

Even though the match is at Findlay Park, the Rangers will still come hard at Saints.

“It’ll be tough,” Rogers said.

Saints went behind down at Taree on Tuesday night, but came back to grind out a 3-1 victory.

Goals to Michael Snow and Tyson Devrimol had given the visitors the lead by the break, and an own goal from Wildcats helped the cause.

That came via good work from Aaron Oppedisano and Toby Dowton, who made “gut-busting” runs into the box and induced panic in the Wilcats defender.

He tried to clear and put the ball in his own net.

“Tony [coach Tony Judge] was really impressed,” Rogers said.

“Those sorts of things can change games. It was very pleasing.

“It wouldn’t have happened without those runs.”

Saints will again look to Michael Bishop for a good game on Saturday.

Bishop’s strengths are his versatility and heart. He’s played all over the field this season, including on the left and right and even in goals.

Rogers said the young Bishop was also one of the best trainers at the club.

“He’s given is plenty this season,” he said.

Reserve grade had a 2-2 draw on Tuesday.

PORT United coach Chris Walsh has done the maths and is certain that, if the Green Bloods win every game from here on in, they will be in the hunt come Football Mid North Coast finals time.

United takes on Old Bar at home on Saturday, and nothing less than a win is acceptable if the team is to make the pointy end of the 2015 season.

Walsh has fond memories from early May when the teams last met.

United won 4-0 that afternoon at Old Bar.

Old Bar competed well that day but United was far too good with its finishing.

“That was back in the good old Joe Shelmerdine days,” Walsh said, referring to the team’s start English striker.

Shelmerdine broke a leg badly in a catch up game a couple of weeks later, which turned out to be the start of a flat spot for United.

But the team has come out the other side and is confident again after a tough 1-1 draw against Redbacks last weekend.

A couple more issues have been thrown their way. James O’Connor will head up to watch Brisbane Roar take on Liverpool, and will miss the match.

Andy Collins and Damien Cross didn’t train on Tuesday night due to hamstring complaints, while Brendan Prince has ankle trouble.

Walsh was due to assess their fitness at training last night. If they didn’t train, they wouldn’t be playing on Saturday.

Lucas Heagney is set to return from suspension tomorrow. Simon Granfield is also back in the fold after missing matches through work commitments.

FC, Wildcats in bottom of table clash

PORT FC is set for a bottom of the table clash with Wildcats on Saturday, but three points could go a long way towards kick-starting the second half of its season.

Both sides are anchored to the foot of the ladder, with FC on 11 points and Wildcats on nine, but the second half of teams are packed in together.

Old Bar sits above FC with 11, then it’s United on 13 and Tuncurry Forster Tigers on 16.

A United/Old Bar draw at Dixie Park would be beneficial for FC, but regardless, the team needs three points.

“It’s a big game for us,” FC goalkeeper Terrance Stafford said.

Tuffins Lane has been a happy hunting ground for the team this season. FC hasn’t lost there yet.

FC beat Wallis Lake 3-1 at that venue in mid May. Two weekends ago, Stafford and co knocked off Old Bar 3-2 in a comeback victory.

The team has drawn with Rangers there, 3-3, in round one.

“Tuffins Lane is a fortress,” Stafford quipped.

He needs that good form to continue.

“We can give ourselves a chance of doing some damage later in the season,” Stafford said.