Champions Begin Against Newcomers as Bacon Face Baldwin
FC SPIDERS Sydney start their title defence with a tricky opener against promoted Partizan Sydney FK, while also carrying Australia’s flag into the Champions Cup. Last season’s runners-up Bacon Boys FC begin with one of the sharper tests of the first weekend, meeting baldwin 3 before turning attention to their Challenge Cup campaign.
Diddillibah FC, third last season, open against CIKAR in another match that should quickly show how tight the chasing pack may be. FC Anderson Park North Sydney also return with international duties ahead, though their league opener against FC Roseville looks less revealing on paper. Elsewhere, promoted F.C.Formerly In Shape get an immediate measure of top-level rhythm against Procrastinators FC, while Croweater FC and Adelaide Football Club have a chance to set an early tone.
Albirex Niigata open their title defence with an immediate test against 丸男, last season’s top two meeting before the table has even taken shape.
Aira FC also face a useful early measure against Fairy Tail, while Matsumoto Yamaga FC and FC Kawasaki Tokyo will want clean starts after staying close to the international places last season. With Albirex Niigata, 丸男 and FC Kawasaki Tokyo already carrying continental duties, the opening pace matters.
Just Vale start their title defence with the pressure already familiar, after last season’s one-point finish over Waitakere United and Blue Pixies.
The opening round gives each of last season’s top three a chance to settle quickly before tougher direct tests arrive. Wellington Phoenix also return as a likely disruptor near the front, while Just Vale, Blue Pixies and Waitakere United must balance the league launch with early international commitments.
YooSin 태권도 and Yeongjongdo Island provide the first headline meeting, with last season’s third and fourth placed sides getting an immediate chance to shape the chase.
Champions Swans FC begin with the pressure of defending both the league crown and a Champions Cup place, while fc olleh will want a clean start after finishing second. Andong Mackerels also enter the new campaign looking to close the gap on the established top four.
The Academy begin their title defence after a 66-point season, with Dhaka Abahani Limited and Narayanganj FC again looking like the closest challengers.
The opening weekend should let the leading trio set the tone, but the early cup pairing between The Academy and Narayanganj FC already hints at sharper tests ahead. Continental fixtures add another layer for all three.
baobeiqiqi begin their title defence with the sharpest possible test, away to last season’s runners-up lanxingxing.
That meeting should set the early tone in a league where both already carry international duties. Behind them, Tongzhou Lions and xiaotian-inter get a valuable direct chance to prove they can move closer to the leading pair, while Sydney Warriors will look to start cleanly after finishing fourth last season.
Rangdajied UFC open as the side to catch after a 63-point title season, with FC Pune City again the clearest challenger following last year’s second-place finish.
The first weekend gives both a chance to set the pace before their direct meetings sharpen the race. Hyderabad FC also enter with a chance to disturb the usual order, while Rangdajied UFC, FC Pune City and Chennai City carry early international commitments.
Important games this round:
• Last seasons Top teams: 1st - Rangdajied UFC (63 points), 2nd - FC Pune City (60 points), 3rd - Bengaluru (57 points)
Atilico de nezzuri begin their title defence with the Champions Cup already waiting in the background, and anything short of another strong domestic campaign would feel like a surprise after last season’s 57-point finish. Their opener looks manageable on paper, though the real competitive spark of the first weekend sits elsewhere.
Deportivo Dekara and Nongneng meet immediately in a match that could set the tone for the Challenge Cup chase. Dekara finished second last season and start this one with another international campaign ahead, while Nongneng were level on points with Tak Tigers and should again be close to the top places. Tak also have a favourable-looking start, while Bangkok Glass Football Club, Area6ten9okini. and Uttaradit Blades will be looking to turn a quiet opening round into early momentum.
Xagħra Open Their Title Defence as Birkirkara Give Chase
Xagħra United begin another title defence after a dominant 64-point season, with the Champions Cup also on their calendar. Birkirkara F.C., last season’s runners-up, open their Challenge Cup campaign soon and should again be the main domestic challenger. Cittá Beland also have a chance to set an early tone after finishing third, while the first round looks likely to favour the established top three.
Dacians White Wolves begin their title defence after a near-perfect 64-point season, with the Champions Cup also ahead. Their opening task looks manageable, so the sharper early test comes elsewhere: Puddlemere United, already carrying a Challenge Cup place into the new campaign, meet last season’s fourth-placed Straw Hat Pirates in a fixture that should quickly measure both sides’ ambitions.
FC Sheriff Tiraspol, third last season, also have a meaningful opener against FC Păduricea, while FC Petrolul Ploiesti start with Challenge Cup duties in the background. With last season’s runners-up absent from the top flight, the chase behind Dacians may be wide open from the first whistle.
Abatorul Start Their Defence as the Chasers Line Up
Abatorul Slobozia begin the new season as champions, but the margin from last year was thin enough to suggest another tense campaign. Their opening test comes against promoted Universitatea Cluj, a fixture that immediately places the title holders against one of the new arrivals. Abatorul also carry a Champions Cup campaign into the early weeks, adding another layer to their start.
The most eye-catching opening match may be AFC Atletico Mangalia against F.C.PRETOR. PRETOR finished only one point behind Abatorul last season and now begin their Challenge Cup run as well, while Atletico also enter the international stage through the Challenge Cup. It is an early heavyweight meeting, and a strong result there would set the tone for either side’s push toward the top two.
Podgoria Murfatlar, third last season, open against Soimii I.P.A. Sibiu and will want to avoid losing ground while the other contenders face trickier early pressure. VITEZISTII4S™ also start with ambition after last season’s fourth-place finish, travelling to FC Univ. Craiova in a match that could quickly sort the upper-half rhythm.
The promoted sides all get immediate measuring sticks. Triton FC host East Strike, FC Caracal meet Navigator, and Universitatea face the champions straight away. With three teams set to go down at the end of the season, early points can matter as much for survival as for confidence. The first weekend should already reveal which newcomers are ready to compete and which established sides are prepared to chase Abatorul from the opening whistle.
• Last seasons Top teams: 1st - Aris Thessalonikis (66 points), 2nd - FC Rotor Volgograd (60 points), 3rd - Torpedo Vladimir (51 points)• Promoted this season: Plan 9 Iz Kosmosa, Russtart, FC ZOG
Beringen United Mightyred start the new campaign as champions, but there is no soft landing for last season’s title winners. Their opener against Atletico De Madrid immediately brings together two of last season’s top three, and it should give the league an early measure of whether Beringen are ready to defend their crown while also preparing for a Champions Cup campaign.
Rougemont Rovers came within a single point of the title last season and begin away to promoted carter city. For Rougemont, now also carrying a Challenge Cup place, the first task is simple: avoid giving the champions an early advantage. For carter city, this is a demanding introduction, but also a chance to show that promotion has not brought them here just to survive.
The other promoted clubs also get intriguing starts. NOMADS meet crystal palace f.c, last season’s fourth-placed side, while The Tea Garden face Merlin Magic XI in a match that already has the feel of an early survival marker. With three teams set to go down, the opening points may matter long after the first excitement fades.
Gravediggers, who enter the season with a Challenge Cup campaign ahead, open against Phantom Force FC, while Albion Allstars meet Heeley Harriers in another fixture that could help shape the middle of the table. The title race starts with Beringen under immediate pressure, Rougemont chasing from the first whistle, and Atletico looking ready to turn last season’s near miss into something stronger.
Oldboys United begin their title defence after last season’s 64-point campaign, with Football club Valur again looking like the only immediate challenger.
Both open against lighter opposition, so the first round is mainly about setting pace before their direct meetings later on. Oldboys United also start with Champions Cup duties, while Football club Valur carry the Challenge Cup route.
Important games this round:
• Last seasons Top teams: 1st - Oldboys United (64 points), 2nd - Football club Valur (61 points), 3rd - Junkers United (51 points), 4th - Vikingur (51 points)• Promoted this season: Nothing Hill, Vikings Football Club, Skytturnar
Villa Begin Defence With Challengers Already Close
Irish Villa Mob return as champions after finishing level on points with fast n fit last season, and the new campaign immediately asks them to balance domestic pressure with a Champions Cup tie against Linceo. Their opener against promoted Killarney Ravens FC should reveal whether the title holders can start with the authority expected of champions, or whether one of the newcomers is ready to make noise straight away.
fast n fit begin away to Red Forest, a fixture that looks like one of the sharper early tests for the side that missed the crown by the narrowest of margins. With a Challenge Cup match against xiaotian-inter also on the horizon, fast n fit need rhythm quickly if they want to turn last season’s frustration into a title push.
Hibernia and Knockea United were close enough last season to make the top of the table feel crowded before a ball has been played. Hibernia meet promoted B LANCHESTER UTD™, while Knockea face Vanilla Bears, giving both established contenders an immediate look at the new arrivals. Neither will want to drop early points in a league where last season’s top four were separated by only three points.
Elsewhere, SportingHaroldsCross face dubs4sam in a useful early mid-table gauge, while Myaella Fc begin against Leinster Lions with their own Challenge Cup tie against Grosuplje FC waiting. The opening weekend may not decide anything, but with three teams eventually going down and several clubs already carrying international commitments, the tone could be set quickly.
Wallace Army F.C begin their title defence with a demanding opener against last season’s fourth-placed Macduff Lions, a fixture that should reveal early whether the champions are ready to carry last year’s form into another campaign. With a Champions Cup place also on their schedule, Wallace will want control from the first weekend.
Dundonald Bluebell, runners-up last season and now headed for the Challenge Cup, have a gentler-looking start on paper. The sharper chase may come from Kirn FC, who face Celtic immediately, while promoted Orkney Otters and St Mirren meet in a useful early test of top-flight adjustment.
Belgrade Open Title Defence Under Immediate Pressure
Belgrade City begin the new season as clear champions to beat, but their first step is hardly routine. An away match against FK Radnik Bijeljina gives the title holders an early test against one of last season’s fourth-placed finishers, and it arrives just as Belgrade prepare for their Champions Cup meeting with Espongis. A strong opening result would send the usual message; anything less would give the chasing pack encouragement from the start.
Kasovac Maratonci, last season’s runners-up, also face a newcomer straight away. Their trip to promoted FC Lazies is exactly the kind of match that can set the mood for both sides: Kasovac need to show they are ready to close the gap on Belgrade, while Lazies get an immediate chance to prove they belong at this level. Kasovac also have a Challenge Cup tie against F.C. Viktoria Plzen ahead, so their early rhythm will matter.
FK Hajduk Sydney 06' finished level with Radnik last season and open away to Mocni Veprovi, another fixture with enough edge to shape the early table. Hajduk’s Challenge Cup campaign against DeDonnys adds extra weight to their start, especially if they want to turn last season’s third place into a genuine title push.
The promoted pair FK Spartak and Roundabout meet immediately, making their opener especially important. With three clubs eventually going down, early points between newcomers can carry real value. Elsewhere, FK Lokomotiva United face F.C. Mali Supermeni, while Shooting Stars SC meet Club de Futbol Dve Sarme in matches that should help define the first shape of the middle pack.
Olimpija FC begin their title defence with the toughest possible opening test, facing last season’s runners-up NO MA´AM. The champions finished five points clear and now also carry a Champions Cup campaign into the new season, while NO MA´AM start with both domestic ambition and a Challenge Cup run to manage.
BLλCK MESA, third last season and also heading into the Challenge Cup, open against Maribor FC in another fixture with early top-half weight. Kapfenberg SV meet promoted B.F.C. 1909 Klagenfurt, while Partizan get an immediate measure of the division away to Wolfsberger. The first weekend should quickly show whether last season’s leading group remains intact.
BH Dragons open the new campaign as champions after a commanding 50-point season, but their first test immediately brings a different kind of pressure. Promoted Belfast warriors arrive with nothing to lose, while Dragons must also prepare for their Champions Cup meeting with SSSE. The champions have the strongest recent credentials in the league, but the opening day will already ask whether they can carry last season’s authority into a busier schedule.
FK Sarajevo 1946, runners-up last season and still chasing the step from contender to champion, begin with a sharp home match against PARTIZAN FK. Sarajevo are also in the Challenge Cup, and their early league rhythm will matter if they want to keep Dragons under pressure from the start. PARTIZAN finished fourth last season, so this is not just an opener — it is an early test between sides with ambitions near the top.
FC Peacocks almighty also begin with momentum to build on after last season’s third-place finish and a Challenge Cup place. Their match against Borac 1926 should give an early signal of whether Peacocks can stay among the main challengers rather than simply defend their position.
The newcomers have been handed varied introductions. Belfast face the champions, Dinny open against The Nobles, and Zvijezda Gradacac visit F.C. Imperial. With three teams eventually going down, matches between promoted clubs and the established middle group may carry long-term importance. FK Ljiljan against Blaugrana F.C rounds out an opening weekend that should quickly show whether last season’s hierarchy is still intact.
Vereya F.C. start their title defence with no gentle easing-in, facing last season’s runners-up Lazio_1900 in the opening headline match.
That clash should set the early pace in a league where CSKA Sofia and Val United also remain close enough to punish any hesitation. CSKA Sofia begin with a useful test against SC BALKANEC BRUSSEN, while the top trio balance domestic ambitions with international duties.
Hunyadi János begin their title defence after a dominant 61-point season, and their opener against Football club Pécs should offer an immediate competitive measure. The champions also have a Champions Cup campaign ahead, so a strong domestic start would help set the tone on both fronts.
The sharpest first-weekend meeting may be Al Nassr Riyadh against Football Club SKA-Khabarovsk, a clash between last season’s third and fourth that could quickly shape the early chasing pack. Szeged, runners-up last season and now heading into the Challenge Cup, will be expected to open confidently, while FTC Isti and Paksi Sportegyesület also have chances to make early ground.
San Stefano FC begin the new season as champions after edging For The Alliance in a 47-point title race, and their first assignment already brings a fresh storyline. Promoted S.V. Werder Bremen visit the title holders, giving San Stefano a chance to make an immediate statement before their Champions Cup tie against Motive Club, while Werder get an unforgiving first measure of top-flight life.
For The Alliance start with the pressure of unfinished business. Last season’s runners-up were level on points with the champions, and their opener away to STORMWIND is the kind of fixture they must handle if they want to turn another near miss into a title. Their Challenge Cup meeting with Mauá Futsal adds extra weight to a demanding early schedule.
Nottingham Forest FC, third last season and also heading into the Challenge Cup, open against O.F.K. Ostrog. Forest were close enough to the top two to believe they can rejoin the title conversation, but Ostrog are exactly the sort of opponent who can punish a slow start. Club Atlético de Madrid S.A.D., last season’s fourth-placed side, also face a useful early test against Returnees.
The promoted sides will be watched closely. Werder face the champions, Shamrock Rovers meet Grobari Berane, and Yellow Pillow open against OFK BAR. With three teams eventually going down, early points against established opposition can matter as much as early impressions. Montenegro starts with the champions under scrutiny, the runners-up chasing immediately, and the newcomers thrown straight into meaningful tests.
FC Soccer Academy Red Bull begin the new season with the double still fresh in memory, having claimed both the league and national cup last time out. Their opening match against promoted Olimpija 1911 is far from routine, though: Olimpija may be newly back at this level, but their history and upcoming Challenge Cup tie against FC Peacocks almighty make them a more dangerous first opponent than the promoted label alone suggests.
Grosuplje FC, last season’s runners-up, also start with a demanding assignment against F.C.Barcelona.. Barcelona return with serious pedigree of their own, including two previous Prva SNL titles, while Grosuplje must quickly find league rhythm alongside their Challenge Cup meeting with Myaella Fc. For a side that finished 11 points behind Red Bull last season, there is little room for a slow start.
Neverwalkalone and Borussia Dortmund both finished on 37 points last season, and both begin against opponents capable of making the early table uncomfortable. Neverwalkalone visit promoted Grosuplje United FC, another club with championship history, while Borussia travel to Alkosi i drogeraši in a match that could quickly establish who belongs in the upper chase.
Elsewhere, Grosuplje Dreamteam open against Inter Miami CF, and FC Loče Soccer Academy meet FC Podgurje. With no soft opening for several of the league’s historic names, the first weekend should offer an immediate clue: Red Bull may start as champions, but the pack behind them looks deeper, more experienced and ready to test the holders from the first whistle.
Goldstar Begin Another Defence Against New Ambition
FC Goldstar start the season where Belgian football is used to seeing them: at the top of the conversation. Last season’s champions, and now twenty-time league winners, open away to promoted YPRES FC. Goldstar also carry a Champions Cup meeting with Mighty Bears F.C. into the early schedule, so the champions will want a clean start rather than an awkward reminder that new sides often arrive with no fear.
hammertime pushed Goldstar close last season, finishing only two points behind, and their opener away to EA SERREKES is one of the round’s sharpest tests. SERREKES have serious history of their own, while hammertime begin with a Challenge Cup place already waiting. For a side trying to turn last season’s chase into a title, dropping early points against a former champion would make the opening weekend feel costly.
THE VILLABOYS and Fc Bijou, last season’s third and fourth, also start with important markers. Villaboys meet Sasboys, while Bijou face promoted A.C. Milan 1899, a newcomer with cup-winning history and enough pedigree to make that opener more than a simple introduction.
The cup holders Merchtem2016 begin against SC Betekom before turning attention to their Challenge Cup tie with JFK Lusignacum. Elsewhere, promoted eendracht open against kfc de preistampers. With three teams eventually going down, the first weekend already matters at both ends: Goldstar are the target, hammertime are the obvious hunters, and the promoted trio have an immediate chance to show they can complicate the old order.
Galacticos C.P. begin the new season with the weight of another double behind them, having claimed both the league and national cup last time out. Their first test is a serious one: an away match against Futebol Clube do Porto, one of the division’s established names and a side with enough pedigree to make the champions work immediately. With Galacticos also holding a Champions Cup place, the opening weeks will quickly show whether they can balance expectation with another domestic chase.
S. C. Pena d´Alva start with unfinished business after ending last season level on points with Galacticos but losing the title race on the margins. Their trip to FC Saense is exactly the kind of match a contender must handle cleanly, especially with a Challenge Cup tie against Nottingham Forest FC also waiting. Pena have the chance to set an early tone: last season’s near miss can either become motivation or pressure.
The first weekend’s most balanced upper-table meeting may be Sumolix Stars against Sá City Futebol Clube. Both finished on 35 points last season, both were close enough to the top to think bigger, and both will know that an opening win against a direct rival can matter more than any comfortable result elsewhere. It is an immediate chance for one of them to step forward as more than a chasing outsider.
The promoted sides also receive useful early tests. alfistas meet former champions Sport Machados da Surriba, New Order face Sá FC, and ODC WaRrIoRz v2 open against Vale Pisão. With three teams eventually going down, these early matches are not just introductions. They are the first clues about who can settle quickly, who can disrupt the old order, and who may be dragged into trouble before the season finds its rhythm.
Norrlandsfotboll FC start the new campaign as the clear benchmark after a perfect-looking 66-point title season, and their opener against Eneby BK gives the champions an immediate test against last season’s fourth-placed side. With a Champions Cup tie also ahead, Norrlands will want early control rather than a slow start.
Slovenia Dreamteam, still one of Sweden’s historic powers, begin with a gentler-looking first step before their Challenge Cup campaign, while Nordic Vikings face Rutger Boll Klubb in the most intriguing clash outside the champion’s match. SuperIbra against IFK Hägersten also offers a useful early measure of the chasing pack.
The steelheads begin their title defence after a 57-point season, with the Champions Cup also on their schedule. Their opener gives them a chance to settle quickly, but the sharper first-weekend story is the meeting between Fc Black Panther and FC KOFA. Last season’s third and fourth meet immediately, making it an early measure of who can pressure the top two.
FC Albisrieden, runners-up last season and still one of the league’s great historic powers, start their Challenge Cup campaign soon and will want a clean domestic opening against FC Appenzell. Promoted fc walhalla, fresh from last season’s national cup success and also in the Challenge Cup, face fc schönspieler in another fixture with useful early weight.
Kouba Open Another Defence With the Pack Chasing From Afar
RC Kouba begin the new season as the clear standard in Algeria after a dominant 51-point title campaign. With 21 league crowns in their history and a Champions Cup meeting with Lexeros Futbol Club ahead, the champions carry both prestige and pressure into their opener against promoted EL KSEUR STARS FC. For EL KSEUR, it is a demanding return to the top level, but also the quickest possible measure of what survival will require.
alger united were last season’s closest league challengers, though 14 points behind Kouba, and they start away to former champions Banu Zayan FC. That match should give an early indication of whether alger united can turn second place into a proper title challenge, especially with a Challenge Cup tie against Athletic Valhalla also waiting.
The opening round also gives USM Alger and Itihad.Riadi.Ouled.Nail important early tests after both finished on 36 points last season. USM Alger meet Mouloudia Club Oran, while Itihad face MPAlger, two fixtures that could quickly shape the chase behind Kouba.
The promoted sides will be watched closely. The Black Pearl begin against M.C.Algiers, while USMKouba host cup holders USM.GAZA, who also begin their Challenge Cup campaign against ACHAIKOS. With three teams eventually going down, the newcomers need early points, but the first weekend already looks like a stern introduction to a league still built around Kouba’s dominance.
Blooming begin their title defence after edging Royal Pari on a 61-point finish, with both former champions again carrying international expectations.
The sharper opening test comes behind them, where Juan Carlo Balón meet Club Bolívar in an early measure of the chasing pack. Royal Pari and Blooming will expect clean starts before their direct duel arrives soon after.
• Last seasons Top teams: 1st - Blooming (61 points), 2nd - Royal Pari (61 points), 3rd - Juan Carlo Balón (54 points), 4th - Club Bolívar (51 points)• Promoted this season: c2h5ohhh, F.C. LEONES del ORIENTE, F.C. LEONES SANTA CRUZ
Udi City F.C begin the new season as the team everyone is chasing after taking last season’s title with 44 points. Their opener against Touro do Sertão carries the usual pressure of a champion’s first match, but also comes with a demanding wider schedule, as Udi are set to face Insomniac FC in the Champions Cup. With eight Brazilian titles already in their history, the expectation is clear: start fast and remind the league who set the standard.
The headline domestic clash, though, may be Nivek United against Guará E.C. Guará finished just two points behind Udi last season and now begin with a Challenge Cup campaign against Dhaka Abahani Limited ahead of them. Nivek, third last season, were a little further back but remain one of the sides most capable of turning the title race into more than a two-team chase. A win for either would be a strong early statement.
São Paulo F.C., last season’s fourth-placed side, start against promoted Big Soccer FC, while Na Canela™ welcome promoted Atlético Potiguar. Candal FC also face a newcomer in Desportivo Sol, a former national cup winner now trying to settle quickly at this level. Those matches will matter beyond first impressions, because three clubs will go down at the end of the season and early points can become precious fast.
Geny F.C against Avanti Palestra! adds another balanced fixture to the opening weekend. Brazil begins with Udi defending the crown, Guará trying to close the final gap, and the promoted trio immediately tested against clubs who already know how unforgiving this division can be.
North Mississauga SC open their title defence as Canada’s benchmark, carrying last season’s league and cup double into a Champions Cup campaign. Their first league assignment looks manageable on paper, but the early spotlight may fall on the chasing pack instead.
The Lads, last season’s runners-up and now in the Challenge Cup, begin against FC Newmarket in the round’s strongest competitive test. Étoile Bordjienne, a former champion, also get a useful opener against NorVan FC, while Football club de Taher and Quebec Football Club will be expected to set an early standard before the schedule tightens.
Assisi and Jorge Campos Open With Immediate Stakes
Octopus MX begin their title defence after edging last season’s race on the finest of margins, finishing level with Fc MEWA but taking the crown. The champions also carry a Champions Cup campaign into the new season, while MEWA start with the Challenge Cup ahead and a league opener against Perro Loko FC that should test their rhythm quickly.
The sharpest first-weekend fixture sends C. D. Jorge Campos against Assisi Lagos Nueva Galicia, a direct meeting between last season’s fourth and third. Assisi, fresh from a national cup-winning season and another Challenge Cup route, can make an early statement there. Panteras Negras UAM also have a chance to reassert themselves against C.D. Guadalajara.
• Last seasons Top teams: 1st - Octopus MX (57 points), 2nd - Fc MEWA (57 points), 3rd - Assisi Lagos Nueva Galicia (48 points)• Promoted this season: FC United Regensdorf, Tigres Dorados, Brancos FC
FC Seher Bosna begin another title defence with a statement fixture against NY Cosmos, last season’s fourth-placed side and current national cup holders. The champions remain the league’s benchmark after a 53-point campaign and now carry a Champions Cup run as well, while Cosmos enter with a Challenge Cup tie on their schedule and a chance to test the champions immediately.
TeamScout, runners-up last season, also face an awkward start away to Galaxy LA before turning toward their own Challenge Cup campaign. New Jersey Stars open against promoted SmarTeam, while Goal Diggers get a quick top-flight measure against Telluride Smugglers. With no easy separation among the chasing group, the first weekend already carries useful early weight.
