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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
CAPS United, who face bitter rivals Dynamos in the Harare Derby this Sunday, have asked the Premier Soccer League to create a level playing field by synchronising all matches involving the championship-chasing teams.

Makepekepe and DeMbare are set to renew their age-old rivalry at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.

However, there were reports yesterday the giant stadium has been booked for a religious festival.

The Green Machine need to win the match to maintain their lead at the top of the table in this three-horse race that also includes Chicken Inn and champions FC Platinum.

Once again, the Green Machine will play 24 hours after their title rivals Chicken Inn had hosted Bulawayo Chiefs at Luveve.

Defending champions FC Platinum also play on Sunday in their away trip to Chapungu.

“This year the race is a bit tight and it looks like it’s going to the wire,’’ said a CAPS United official.

“Of course we are focusing on our own games. We are taking each game as it comes and all our energies now are on the preparations for the game against Dynamos.

“It’s a massive game and there is a lot at the stake.

“But at the same time you cannot run away from the fact that if Chicken Inn play on Saturday and we play Sunday, we could be under some kind of pressure to respond if they win.

“At the same time it could also seem unfair for them if they lose and we play knowing fully well that they have lost their game.

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t seize the initiative when faced the same scenario last weekend.

“But it usually motivates if your rivals fall before you play and a burden if they win, like what happened midweek last week.

“So, it was going to be a little bit fair if all teams involved in this race should play at the same time.’’

In the English Premiership, only the final round of fixtures are played on the same day and at the same time irrespective of the complexion of the championship race.

The Green Machine will go into the Harare Derby with a lot to prove following the disappointing outing in the 2-2 draw against Yadah in their last outing.

The giants, however, meet at a time when Dynamos have been battling to shake off their lukewarm form.

The Glamour Boys are on a 19-match unbeaten run but most of their games have ended in stalemates.

Fixtures

Saturday: Bulawayo Chiefs v Chicken Inn (Luveve), Harare City v Yadah (Rufaro),

Sunday: Black Rhinos v Ngezi (Rufaro), CAPS v Dynamos (NSS), Mushowani v TelOne (Trojan Mine), Hwange v Herentals (Colliery), Triangle v ZPC Kariba (Gibbo), Highlanders v Manica (BF), Chapungu v FC Platinum (Ascot)