The battle for promotion and survival takes centre stage this weekend as the SRFA FINCA Division One League returns with the start of the second round.

The first round ended on September 21, with FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserve and Ekhaya Reserve leading the standings on 34 points each after 15 matches.

Bullets Reserve sit top of the table on goal difference, having scored 40 goals and conceded 12, while Ekhaya Reserve have scored 37 and conceded 14.

Third-placed Liberty FC are also in the promotion mix with 30 points, while FC Thondwe, Mwanza Stars and Immigration FC are tied on 27 points, setting up a close contest among the leading sides.

At the other end of the table, Chiradzulu United have seven points, followed by Chilomoni FC on nine and Ntopwa FC on 10.

The three sides face pressure to collect points in the second round and improve their chances of moving away from the bottom.

Saturday’s fixtures offer several interesting contests, with third-placed Liberty FC looking to strengthen their promotion push when they travel to face Mwanza United, who are 12th on 15 points, at Mwanza Secondary School Ground.

At Mpira, second-placed Ekhaya Reserve will be out to maintain pressure on leaders Bullets Reserve when they meet seventh-placed Wanderers Reserve.

Immigration FC, who are sixth with 27 points, will also be looking to keep pace with the leading sides when they face 10th-placed The Boyz SFC, who have 17 points, at Chilomoni Stadium.

Meanwhile, Nchima United and Zingwangwa United meet at Nchima in a contest between two sides looking to improve their positions.

Nchima are 13th on 14 points, two places below Zingwangwa, who have 16 points.

On Sunday, fifth-placed Mwanza Stars will have home advantage against QPL All Stars as they seek to stay in touch with the leading pack.

Mwanza Stars have 27 points, while QPL All Stars sit ninth with 18 points.

Monday brings another contest involving teams with ambitions of moving up the standings, as fourth-placed FC Thondwe take on eighth-placed Nyambadwe United at Kamuzu Stadium.

The two sides are separated by just three points, making the encounter an opportunity for either team to strengthen its position.

The spotlight then shifts to the relegation fight on Tuesday, when bottom-placed Chiradzulu United host Chilomoni FC at Mkwai Ground.

Chiradzulu have seven points, while Chilomoni have nine, leaving both sides in need of points as they seek to climb away from the bottom.