With the groups just about taking shape after 2 Game Weeks, the Dialog Champions League features some big clashes this weekend, certain to play a big part in deciding the final group standings. ThePapare.com has a look at this week’s fixtures in detail:

Dialog Champions League 2016 – Week 3 Preview
Group A
Matara City vs SL Army SC (9th July at Matara Football Complex at 3:30pm)

Army SC seems to be a team in red hot form, banging in 6 goals against a hapless Blue Star team in their opening group clash last week.

The Soliders will no doubt be the favourites to add 3 more points to their points tally this week as they come up against a Matara City team that got mauled 4-1 by Crystal Palace in Game Week 1.

Issadeen had 4 goals for Army last week and he’ll be a sure fire candidate to feature on the score card this week as well, despite having to play away from home.

Blue Star SC vs Negombo Youth (10th July at Kelaniya Football Complex at 3:15pm)

Both teams suffered disastrous results last week with Blue Star going down 6-0 to Army and Negombo Youth getting hammered 4-0 by Colombo FC.

Both teams have shown promise in patches in the opening 2 Game Weeks but will need to be consistent throughout the 90 minutes if they are to get maximum points from this clash.

Will be streamed Live on ThePapare.com

Civil Security SC vs Colombo FC (10th July at City Football Complex at 3:30pm)

Another potential mismatch on the cards as Colombo FC regained their mojo in a 4-0 thrashing of Negombo Youth last week whilst Civil Security SC sit rock bottom of the group, yet to score a goal whilst having conceded 8.

Expect the lads from Colombo FC to pile more misery on the CSSC team.

Solid SC vs Crystal Palace FC (10th July at Prison Grounds at 3:30pm)

Undoubtedly the best game from Game Week 3 in Group A with table toppers Solid SC taking on 2nd placed Crystal Palace.

Any result is possible but anything more than a point for the team from the hills, who will be playing away, will be a huge bonus for them in the course of the group stage.

Group B
Air Force SC vs Thihariya Youth SC (9th July at Ekala Grounds at 3:30pm)

Air Force got their campaign off to a winning start against Saunders last week and will be favourites against minnows Thihariya Youth who did well to secure a late point against Java Lane in their Week 1 clash.

The home advantage will be with Air Force and Thihariya Youth are likely to struggle to get anything against a well balanced home team.

Saunders SC vs Super Sun SC (9th July at Kelaniya Football Complex at 3:15pm)

Both teams will be disappointed to not have gotten anything from their opening two games and it really is make or break time if they are to make any sort of push towards a place in the Super 8s.

The two teams currently sit at the bottom of Group B but have the potential to do so much better than their performances suggest. Saunders will be boosted by the return of Niresh from suspension after serving out his 1 match ban.

Will be streamed Live on ThePapare.com

Navy SC vs Java Lane SC (10th July at Navy Grounds Welisara at 3:30pm)

Java Lane’s campaign so far has been a bit of a disaster having gotten only a point against Thihariya Youth and then losing at home to Police SC.

Their task this week will possibly be their most difficult yet, having to face a Navy team that will be confident of making their home advantage count.

New Youngs SC vs Renown SC (10th July at Albert F. Peiris Stadium at 3:30pm)

The team from Wennappuwa sits at the top of Group B but this week’s clash against a Renown team that beat them 3-1 at this same venue in the FA Cup is sure to be a stern test of their credentials.

This top of the table clash may possibly be the best game of the weekend with both teams likely to be happy with a point, but will know that a win for either team would almost surely see them go through to the next round.