It’s a day for top of the table battles in the NEPL with the fixture list pitting first versus second in both the Premier and First Divisions.

There’s always something important about a Chester-le-Street and South North meeting as the clubs have dominated the scene almost since the birth of the Premier League in 2000.

In the 15 years of competition the pair have won 12 championships between them, and it already looks likely that number 13 will arrive come September.

The Cestrians have started this campaign the stronger but, ominously, they haven’t been able to shake off the attentions of the reigning champions despite the Bulls struggling at times to replicate the form that saw them finish almost 100 points ahead of Chester in 2014.

The sides have identical playing records – both have won five of their eight games with the other three being draws – but the lads from the Lane have been so impressive in the nature of their wins that they have opened up a 22-point gap on their rivals who will see this game as the chance to claw back some of that deficit.

Chester have only one doubt, with John Coxon nursing a slight groin strain, although he is fully expected to play to put the home team at full strength.

The news from the South North camp is that Stephen Humble, who returned to action last week after a lengthy lay-off with a shoulder injury, will bowl after just playing as a batsman in the win over Blaydon. That leaves just one question mark, with Jimmy Miller to undergo a fitness test.

Stockton hope to have Jamie Harrison in the team to travel to Denton Bank, and with Richard Waite also likely to be back the Teessiders will be confident of getting something against a Benwell Hill side who make two enforced changes.

Mark Dale is sidelined by a hamstring injury, and Ben Smith missing due to exams. David Haxon and Glen Robertson make their seasonal first-team debuts.

Hetton Lyons reckon without leg-spinner Darrell Williams for the rest of the season after the student returned home for the summer, but they need to pick up some points from their home game against the Academy as they are uncomfortably close to the relegation spot currently occupied by Gateshead Fell.

First Division leaders Brandon enjoy a 29-point advantage over second-placed Washington, ahead today’s meeting.

Brandon chairman Ian Johnson is wary of the challenge posed by today’s visitors and said: “Washington have been a bit of a bogey team for us since we set out in the NEPL, and they have a very strong side too, so we are expecting a tough game.

“But we are in confident mood and are hoping that we can improve our record against them and strengthen our position at the top.”

Brandon are unchanged for this one while Washington bring in Jason Jones to replace the unavailable Tom Colledge.

There could be two new faces on the First Division scene this afternoon with Bangladeshi international Mosharraf Hossain set to debut for Boldon in their game at South Hetton, and Felling possibly unveiling an Indian signing, Rahul Thakur, when they entertain Tudhoe.