BdJ:
VRA's slow-bowling problems were exposed again at the Bos last week, and a loss away at Punjab will see them lose touch with the top of the table, but the form of Peter Borren and the menace of their new ball attack means they'll still be travelling to het Zomercomplex as favourites. The fragility of the top order (despite young Vikram Singh's continued improvement) and their lamentably sub-standard fielding means they are far from immune to an upset, but despite Punjab's combative showing thus far, they have looked reliant on their overseas to perform, and will likely still be missing Minhaas tomorrow.

RL:
Shoaib Minhas is indeed still in Pakistan on family business, and there can be no doubt that Punjab are substantially weakened by his absence. They are nevertheless a tough proposition on their own patch, and VRA’s batting fell apart last week when they were chasing a demanding target. Whoever wins the toss will have an interesting decision to make. It’s a risky game to predict, but I agree that VRA should start as favourites.

ACC vs HCC (Het Loopveld West)

BdJ:
A tougher call this, with HCC coming close to upsetting Excelsior last week and Quick exposing both ACC's lack of a true strike bowler and vulnerability to the new ball. ACC remain the more balanced side on paper, however, HCC's batting looking especially thin once one gets through the imposing top-order. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Vandiar's wicket will likely be key again. Though neither side has been exactly a model of consistency this season, I'll go with home advantage and back the Amsterdammers here.

RL:
It’s hard to believe that ACC will bat as poorly as they did against Quick last week, but then, HCC’s batting – Vandiar and Staal apart – has not really delivered either. Given that ACC have won eight of these teams’ last ten encounters at ‘t Loopveld, and the overall good form of the four Zulfiqars, the obvious choice is a home win. There tends to be at least one surprise every week, however, and it would be a big one if HCC were to take the point back to De Diepput.

Dosti United Amsterdam vs Quick Haag (Sportpark Drieburg)

BdJ:
Not an easy call either this, with Dosti-United's Dry and Kohli still in fine form. The latter saw them to an away win at Hazelaarweg over the beleaguered VOC last week, though Dosti have yet to record a win without one or other of them coming off. Quick meanwhile have recovered from a shaky start to the season to edge up toward the top of a crowded pack, with Jean Bredenkamp still seemingly enjoying the novelty of Dutch conditions and Wesley Barresi starting to find some form. Drieburg has generally been a happy hunting ground for the latter, but Quick's real strength is the ability of the rest of the team to support their danger-players. Dosti will need to start putting in team performances if they are to find their way into the top half of the table, and though their have been occasional individual contributions – especially from the like of Mahesh Hans and Mohammad Hafeez – the Amsterdammers have yet to really fire as a unit.

RL:
Quick’s trump card last Saturday was not any of the better-known names in their line-up – after all, apart from Barresi, five of their team have represented the Netherlands in the past – but the unheralded Mohammed Khan, who tore through the ACC top order. He might not do it again this week, but Dosti’s top five have been a lot shakier than ACC’s, and the five-man Quick seam attack, backed up by the spin of Hoseinbaks, Stokkers and Van Schelven, gives Jeroen Brand more options than most bowling outfits in the competition. At the risk of being boring, I again find it impossible to disagree with my esteemed colleague.

HBS Den Haag vs VOC Rotterdam (Craeyenhout)

BdJ:
A convincing away win for HBS over VRA answered most of the lingering questions as to the sustainability of their title challenge, and answered them convincingly. The absence of Tobias Visée – who will likely be out for another few weeks – didn't stop them racking up and solid total against their second-spot rivals, and Farshad Khan ensured they defended it comfortably. Though the total was built around a fine century from Jaron Morgan, it is the improvement of the likes of Khan, Visée and Ferdi Vink that has made the Crows genuine contenders this season. VOC meanwhile are continuing to underperform despite pre-season optimism, and the sidelining of Seelaar has left them looking both a batsman and a bowler light. Though the quality of Malik, O'Dowd and Caleb Jewell ensures the Rotterdammers have every chance of turning the tables on HBS, it's a testament to the contrasting seasons the two sides have had that such a result would be an upset.

RL:
Batting first or second, HBS have the firepower to overcome VOC, one feels, especially at Craeyenhout. Their younger players have not yet really started to deliver, but the seasoned core of the side has scarcely made that necessary, while VOC’s form has largely been indifferent. HBS know they have to keep winning to have any real chance of taking advantage of any slip-up by Excelsior, and that motivation should be enough to see them home here.

Hermes-DVS Schiedam vs Excelsior 20 Schiedam (Sportpark Harga)

BdJ:
Likewise a win for Hermes in the season's first Schiedam Derby would be a remarkable result, though it's worth noting that they sprung just such a surprise on the eventual champions when the two last met at Harga at the end of last season. That win was built on the backs of Steph Myburgh and Nick Statham, and one suspects a similar performance from one or the other will be a necessary (if not sufficient) condition for a repeat.

RL:
It’s true that Excelsior have faltered in their past few games before coming through to take the points, and it’s also true that Hermes’ performance against Punjab on Monday showed the first few tender buds of promise. And that the Schiedam Derby is always something special. Hermes have, we must acknowledge, won four of the past five Topklasse encounters at Sportpark Harga. All of that said, it would be perverse to predict anything other than another Excelsior victory here.

Form Guide: [Note: These tables show the results of this fixture over the past ten seasons. ‘W’ means a win for the home side, ‘L’ a defeat, ‘T’ a tie, ‘N’ no result. Matches played on the opponent’s ground or a neutral venue are shown in square brackets.]

Bertus de Jong’s predictions:
VRA, ACC, Quick, HBS, Excelsior.

Rod Lyall’s predictions:
VRA, ACC, Quick, HBS, Excelsior.