RL:
The Old Amsterdam Derby is always a bit special, and after winning in the Amsterdamse Bos back in May ACC will be keen to make it a double on their own ground. VRA’s title challenge more or less came to an end with their defeat at the hands of HCC last Sunday, although it would still be mathematically possible for them to overhaul the leaders. Defeat here, however, would kill even that faint hope off. But ACC, too, stumbled last weekend, losing a low-scoring match against Hermes, and their top order will need to go big against VRA’s seamers if they are to give themselves a chance.

BdeJ:
There is always pride on the line for the Derby, if precious little else this time. VRA have been a little dependent on the Borren - Szwarczynski engine in the batting of late, but with both in fluent form there are worse things to depend on. ACC meanwhile have been rather inconsistent this season, as perhaps is to be expected from such a young side, and a lack of a genuine quality strike bowler may tell against them on Sunday.

Dosti United Amsterdam vs Hermes-DVS Schiedam (Sportpark Drieburg)

RL:
As the number of ‘dead rubbers’ steadily mounts, this is a fixture which still has some life in it, although it would have even more had Dosti not pulled off a fine surprise win against Punjab last week. The return to form of Vinoo Tewarie and Rahil Ahmed is a real bonus for the Amsterdammers, and they will be hoping that their century opening stand wasn’t a flash in the pan. But two wins on the trot have given Hermes a glimmer of hope, and this could in some ways be the most important match of the season. The question remains, though, whether Hermes have enough firepower to tame Dosti at Sportpark Drieburg.

BdeJ:
Yes, this looks likely to be the last real "four-pointer" of the season - which could put the final nail in Hermes' Topklasse coffin. Both sides have shown hints of a late turnaround in form, but Hermes will need Stephan Myburgh to at least replicate his passable international form at a lower level and hope Dosti's improved performance with the bat last week isn't habit-forming. Though Hermes' bowling had lacked for penetration for most of the season, their last two matches were won primarily with the ball. Finding a way to dislodge Dry and Kohli will be key for the visitors, despite signs of a top-order revival for the hosts. A win for the men in sky blue could kick off a three way relegation battle and breathe unlikely life into the bottom half of the table, and being an incurable optimist I'm going to back them to do it.

HBS Den Haag vs Punjab Rotterdam (Craeyenhout)

RL:
When these two sides met at het Zomercomplex it was one of the season’s high-scoring thrillers, with Punjab successfully chasing down a big HBS total thanks to a superb innings from Shoaib Minhas. HBS were riding high at that stage, but their fortunes have declined in recent weeks, and their collapse from 132 for two to 168 all out against Excelsior last Sunday – though partly due to the injury to Corey Rutgers – illustrates their problems. Both sides have fast-scoring batsmen, but there’s a contrast between the seam-based HBS attack and Punjab’s array of spinners. The momentum at this point seems clearly to be with Punjab.

BdeJ:
Rutgers' absence will further compound the Crows' reliance on Visée and Morgan for quick runs at the top of the order, and with collapses after big starts now more the rule than the exception they will likely need to be plentiful as well. Punjab's diverse array of spin options looked rather blunted against Dosti last week, but with both sides looking destined for a mid-table finish the result may simply come down to who feels they have the most to prove, and Punjab have shown themselves to be up for every match so far.

HCC vs VOC Rotterdam (De Diepput)

RL:
Jonathan Vandiar’s fourth hundred of the season at VRA last Sunday kept him on course for 1000 runs, and HCC will be encouraged by young Boris Gorlee’s making his best Topklasse score to date. VOC, by contrast, suffered another batting collapse, and Hermes’ turnaround means that they are not 100% clear of relegation. That should give them greater motivation, but that in itself cannot compensate for an absence of match-winners. Max O’Dowd and Caleb Jewell have a great weight on their shoulders, but they can’t do it on their own, and it would be a major surprise if they were to take the points back to Rotterdam.

BdeJ:
HCC's Vandiar-reliance has been something of a running theme this season, but against VRA last week they nonetheless looked a complete side in the field. Sharp fielding and disciplined bowling kept a dangerous batting line-up in check and so long as one or two HCC bats can step up to support Vandiar this should be an easy two points for them. VOC have been inconsistent with the bat, in the field and in selection, and one feels even the lingering risk of relegation isn't enough to dispell the air of resignation in the dressing room.

Excelsior 20 Schiedam vs Quick Haag (Thurlede)

RL:
Quick’s demolition of VOC last week emphasises how dangerous they can be, although Excelsior are obviously a tougher proposition and are almost within touching distance of the trophy. Lorenzo Ingram and James Hilditch are among the most consistent all-rounders in the competition, and there have been few games where one or other – or both – have not turned in a match-winning effort. The young guns, too, have made valuable contributions, while Quick have been more dependent on Jean Bredenkamp and a few tried and trusted campaigners. You can’t rule out an upset, but Excelsior’s resilience has stood them in good stead all season.

BdeJ:
With the pressure of VRA's challenge lifted it's always possible that complacency may just erode the discipline and focus that has seen Tom Heggelman's side to within a couple of wins of retaining the championship, and Quick certainly have the team to take advantage, but finding a way past both Ingram and Hilditch has proved beyond more threatening attacks than Quick's, and few would bet against the Schiedammers taking another stately step in the their procession to the title.

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.]

Rod Lyall’s predictions: VRA, Dosti, Punjab, HCC, Excelsior

Bertus de Jong’s predictions: VRA, Hermes, Punjab, HCC, Excelsior