Football: Top of the table showdown in Taupo

It's a clash of the titans with the two top teams in the WaiBop Federation football tomorrow.

There will be plenty of interest in the Crown Park showdown between federation one leaders and Challenge Shield holders Taupo, and second-placed Claudelands Rovers.

Both teams have won 16 from 18 games with Taupo holding the competition lead by a single point.

Rovers with 70 goals, are top goal scorers in the division, while Taupo with 16 goals conceded, have the best defensive record.

Taupo won 5-1 earlier in the season but all the signs are it will be much closer this time.

While both teams will still have three games to play after tomorrow's clash, the result could be decisive in the race for the championship.

Ngongotaha go into this round in third place. Tomorrow they have the chance to avenge their round one 3-0 loss to AFC Fury, with recent results suggesting the Villagers should prevail, even though Fury have home advantage.

Rotorua United meet Otumoetai at Fergusson Park in what is another crucial game for them as they battle to avoid relegation.

Otumoetai are not without their own relegation worries and, after last week's loss, they will be desperate to repeat their first-round win against United.

The Rotorua side had a morale-boosting win over Fury last week while Otumoetai are coming off a loss to Tauranga Boys'.

Whakatane Town host Waikato Unicol at Rex Morpeth Park in what should be a close contest.

Whakatane have a good record at home but Unicol won 2-0 when the two met earlier in the season.

In other games, Old Blues and Tauranga Boys' College meet at Waipuna Park, while bottom of the table Otorohanga host Melville United.

Points: Taupo 49, Claudelands 48, Ngongotaha, Melville 27, Whakatane, Fury 24, Otumoetai 22, Unicol 21, Old Blues, Rotorua United 18, Tauranga Boys' 17, Otorohanga 5.