Scottland or Hardrock: Who has the harder road in the PSL title race?

One point separates Scottland FC and Hardrock FC at the top of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League with five matches left to play.

Scottland lead on 61 points after 29 games, with Hardrock second on 60. Dynamos are third on 50 points, leaving the championship as a straight shootout.

Simply put, the final fixtures will decide whether the PSL trophy remains in Harare or goes to Kwekwe for the first time in history.

SCOTTLAND FC FACE THE RELEGATION TRAP

Scottland face a deceptively difficult run that mixes relegation battles with top-eight ambition. After the FIFA break, they will travel to ZPC Kariba, who are 14th on the table with 29 points, and Triangle United, who occupy 16th position with 22 points.

ZPC Kariba have drawn 14 games this season, the second highest total in the league, and are fighting to escape relegation. At home, they do not lose easily and will sit deep to frustrate.

Triangle have won only five games all season and for the Genesis Mangombe-coached side, every match is now a cup final. Teams with nothing to lose are the most dangerous at this stage.

In Harare, Scottland FC host Chicken Inn, who sit in eighth position with 41 points, CAPS United who have 47 points in sixth position, and fifth-placed Herentals College. Arguably, CAPS United will be their biggest game, as the Green Machine will hope for revenge after the 2-0 humiliation at the National Sports Stadium on 31 May.

HARDROCK FC FACE THE HEAVYWEIGHT GAUNTLET AND THE TREBLE WORKLOAD

Hardrock FC ahead of a match at Rufaro stadium. Picture by Fanzone/Libertino

Hardrock face a tougher programme on paper as they chase a treble. The Kasongo Golden Boys will travel to face Dynamos, who are third with 50 points, and Simba Bhora, who have had a troubled season sitting in 11th position with 35 points.

The trip to Dynamos at Rufaro is the toughest fixture left in the race considering how their match ended at Chahwanda Stadium back in May.

Dynamos have lost only three times in 29 matches and have drawn 14 times. Moreover, they are pushing for a top-four finish.

At home, Hardrock host Bulawayo Chiefs, who have been decent so far sitting in 12th position with 31 points. They will also host MWOS FC and FC Platinum to wrap up their season.

Hardrock FC are also in the Chibuku Super Cup semi-finals and the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup quarter-finals, chasing a historic treble in their debut Premiership season.

Scottland hold a one-point lead and a superior goal difference of plus 35 to Hardrock’s plus 32. Hardrock have scored more goals with 51 and have won more matches with 18 victories, but they have the harder road.

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