Photo: Mel Jevins Photography
As the NFFL season approaches its climax, Week 6/7 promises to be a thrilling conclusion with pivotal matchups across all divisions. Teams are battling not only for playoff berths but also for seeding positions that could impact their postseason prospects. The action will be intense as top contenders aim to secure their spots, while others fight to keep their playoff hopes alive. With high stakes and competitive games on the horizon, this weekend's fixtures will shape the final playoff landscape and set the stage for an exciting postseason.
Premiership
Highlands
Renfrewshire Raptors vs Edinburgh Outlaws
Moray Distillers vs Aberdeen Oilcats
Grangemouth Broncos vs Aberdeen Oilcats
Moray Distillers vs Glasgow Hornets
Aberdeen Oilcats vs Renfrewshire Raptors
Edinburgh Outlaws vs Glasgow Hornets
Edinburgh Outlaws vs Grangemouth Broncos
Moray Distillers vs Renfrewshire Raptors
The Glasgow Hornets (13-0-1) aim to secure the top playoff seed by winning both their games. They face the Moray Distillers (1-12), who are out of playoff contention, and the Edinburgh Outlaws (9-4), who have already clinched a playoff spot.
The Grangemouth Broncos (10-3-1), riding a 7-game win streak, look to solidify their playoff positioning in their matchups against the Outlaws and the Oilcats (8-5). The Broncos will aim to regain their head-to-head advantage over the Outlaws, needing to win by at least two points.
The Oilcats, also confirmed for the playoffs, seek to strengthen their seeding with games against the Distillers and the Raptors (3-10). The Oilcats will be looking to avenge a narrow loss to the Broncos earlier in the season and build momentum heading into the playoffs.
The Raptors and Distillers, both out of playoff contention, will focus on ending their seasons on a high note and preparing for the promotion/demotion tournaments. The Raptors, likely to be in these tournaments, will use these games to fine-tune their strategies.
North
Manchester Titans Bees vs Manchester Titans
Salford Scorpions vs Wigan Bandits
Wigan Bandits vs Manchester Crows
Manchester Titans vs Warrington Revolution
Manchester Titans Bees vs Manchester Crows
Manchester Titans vs Salford Scorpions
Manchester Titans Bees vs Warrington Revolution
The Manchester Titans Bees host a pivotal Premiership North gameday that could dramatically reshape the playoff picture. With the Titans Bees (4-9), Salford Scorpions (5-9), and Wigan Bandits (5-9) all vying for a spot in the playoffs, this weekend is crucial.
The Manchester Titans (9-4), already confirmed for the playoffs, aim to improve their seeding with matchups against the Titans Bees, Warrington Revolution (1-13), and Salford Scorpions. Winning all three could propel them as high as the 6th seed.
The Manchester Crows (12-2), assured of at least a 4th seed, will face the Bandits and the Titans Bees. They need some help from other results to climb higher than their current 4th seed.
The Titans Bees have a challenging schedule ahead, facing the Titans, the Crows, and the Revolution. A clean sweep could push them into playoff contention, provided the Cheltenham Neptunes falter.
The Bandits and Scorpions both have an outside chance of making the playoffs. The Scorpions face the Bandits and the Titans, while the Bandits also clash with the Crows. Wins are essential for either team to keep their playoff hopes alive.
This weekend's results could see one of the Titans Bees, Scorpions, or Bandits secure a playoff spot or face relegation in the play-in tournament. Expect intense competition as these teams battle for their postseason lives.
South East
London Smoke vs Reading Devils
Chichester Sharks vs London Flash
London Smoke vs London Rebels
London Flash vs London Spark
London Spark vs London Rebels
Chichester Sharks vs Reading Devils
Chichester Sharks vs London Smoke
Reading Devils vs London Flash.
The top-billed game is between the London Smoke (12-1) and Reading Devils (12-1). Both teams have secured playoff spots, but this game will likely determine the division champion and a top 4 seed in the playoffs, which includes a first-round bye. The Smoke needs to win out to secure their position, while the Devils not only need to win out but also must beat the Smoke by at least 24 points to claim the title.
The Chichester Sharks (10-3), also confirmed for the playoffs, have a tough schedule against the Flash, Devils, and Smoke. They’ll be looking to solidify their standing and possibly move up in the playoff seedings.
The London Flash (3-10), London Rebels (4-10), and London Spark (4-10) are all out of playoff contention but are fighting to avoid relegation in the “Play In” tournaments. The matchups between the Flash and Spark, and the Spark and Rebels, are particularly crucial as these games will determine their final standings and chances for next season.
South West
Cardiff Hurricanes vs Cheltenham Neptunes
Coventry Panthers vs Coventry Phoenix
Coventry Panthers vs Cheltenham Neptunes
Northants Titans vs Coventry Phoenix
Coventry Panthers vs Northants Titans
The Cardiff Hurricanes (13-1) are already confirmed for the playoffs, currently sitting in second place. They face the Cheltenham Neptunes (7-7), who need just one win to secure their playoff spot. This matchup could be competitive if the Neptunes bring their A-game.
The Northants Titans (8-5) are also confirmed for the playoffs. They face the Coventry Phoenix (2-12) and the Coventry Panthers (5-9). The Phoenix are out of playoff contention but can influence the Panthers' fate. If the Phoenix win both their games and the Panthers lose out, the Phoenix could potentially swap places with the Panthers in the “Play In” tournament. For this to happen, the Phoenix need to beat the Panthers by at least 2 points.
The Panthers still have a slim chance to make the playoffs if they win all their games and the Neptunes lose all theirs. Their matches against the Phoenix and Neptunes will be critical.
The previous encounters saw the Hurricanes dominate the Neptunes, and the Titans secure wins against both the Panthers and Phoenix. The Panthers narrowly edged out the Phoenix in their last matchup, indicating that these teams are closely matched.
Division 1
Highlands
Aberdeen Silvercats vs Glasgow Killer Bees
West Lothian Chargers vs Edinburgh Gunslingers
Glasgow Killer Bees vs Clyde Comets
Grangemouth Colts vs West Lothian Chargers
Grangemouth Mustangs vs Aberdeen Silvercats
Grangemouth Colts vs Edinburgh Gunslingers
Clyde Comets vs Grangemouth Mustangs
Glasgow Killer Bees vs West Lothian Chargers
Grangemouth Mustangs vs Edinburgh Gunslingers
Grangemouth Colts vs Clyde Comets
The Grangemouth Mustangs (13-1-1) and the West Lothian Chargers (12-2-1) are confirmed for the playoffs and are both vying for the top spot in the division. The Mustangs face the Aberdeen Silvercats (8-8-1), who handed them one of their rare losses earlier this season, and the Clyde Comets (3-11-2). The Chargers have a tougher slate with matchups against the Grangemouth Colts (8-7) and the Glasgow Killer Bees (4-11).
The Colts and Silvercats are both still in contention for the playoffs but will need to win out and get some help from other results. The Colts face the Chargers, the Comets, and the Edinburgh Gunslingers (1-13-2), while the Silvercats face the Mustangs and the Killer Bees.
The Killer Bees, Comets, and Gunslingers are all fighting to avoid the bottom two spots and the subsequent Play-In tournament, where demotion is a possibility. The Killer Bees and Comets each have multiple games and will be looking to secure crucial wins to avoid the Play In tournament.
North A
Salford Scorpions Stingers vs Border City Centurions
Manchester Ravens vs Salford Scorpions Stingers
Border City Centurions vs West Lancashire Serpents
Wirral Vikings vs Manchester Titans Tridents
Salford Scorpions Stingers vs Manchester Titans Tridents
Manchester Ravens vs West Lancashire Serpents
Border City Centurions vs Wirral Vikings
The Chorley Buccaneers host a pivotal Division 1 North A gameday with significant playoff implications. You may notice that they are not playing, that’s because they were removed from the league following their forfeit last time out.
The Border City Centurions (12-2-2) and West Lancashire Serpents (13-3) are battling for the division title. Both teams have secured playoff spots, but their clash will be decisive, especially with a 7-point difference in their head-to-head aggregate.
The Manchester Ravens (9-5-2), confirmed for the playoffs, face the Stingers (5-11) and Serpents, aiming to secure a higher playoff seed. Meanwhile, the Salford Scorpions Stingers, though out of playoff contention, look to play spoiler.
The Wirral Vikings (8-8) and Manchester Titans Tridents (7-10) have a slim chance of making the playoffs, needing wins and help from other results. Their matchup is crucial, with the winner keeping their playoff hopes alive.
North B
Calderdale Locomotives vs Sheffield Giants (Blue)
West Yorkshire Warthogs vs Newcastle Blackhawks
Sheffield Giants (Blue) vs Leeds Samurai
Sheffield Giants (Black) vs West Yorkshire Warthogs
Steel River Stingrays vs Calderdale Locomotives
Sheffield Giants (Black) vs Newcastle Blackhawks
Leeds Samurai vs Steel River Stingrays
Sheffield Giants (Blue) vs West Yorkshire Warthogs
Steel River Stingrays vs Newcastle Blackhawks
Sheffield Giants (Black) vs Leeds Samurai
The Newcastle Blackhawks (14-2), Sheffield Giants (Blue) (13-3), and Leeds Samurai (12-4) have all secured playoff spots but are vying for the division title and potentially a first-round bye. The Blackhawks seem to have the easier schedule, while the head-to-head between the Giants (Blue) and Samurai, with an 11-point advantage favouring the Giants, could be decisive.
The West Yorkshire Warthogs (8-7-1) and Steel River Stingrays (6-10) still have playoff hopes. The Warthogs, in a better position, need to win at least two games to stay in contention. The Stingrays must win out and hope for favourable results elsewhere to keep their playoff dream alive.
Midlands
Nottingham Honey Badgers vs Coventry Panthers B
Leicester Huntsmen vs South Yorkshire Roosters
Nottingham Bears vs Nottingham Honey Badgers
Leicester Huntsmen vs Waveney Wolves
Coventry Panthers B vs South Yorkshire Roosters
Waveney Wolves vs Lincolnshire Longhorns
Nottingham Honey Badgers vs Lincolnshire Longhorns
Nottingham Bears vs South Yorkshire Roosters
Leicester Huntsmen vs Nottingham Bears
Coventry Panthers B vs Waveney Wolves
The Waveney Wolves (14-2) have already clinched the division title and secured a first-round bye in the playoffs. If they win out, they could earn a bye until the quarterfinals, making their remaining games important for maintaining momentum and playoff positioning.
The Nottingham Honey Badgers (10-5-1) have also secured their playoff spot. Their focus will be on fine-tuning their game and possibly improving their seed.
For the Coventry Panthers B (6-9-1), Leicester Huntsmen (6-8-2), Nottingham Bears (7-9), and Lincolnshire Longhorns (8-8-1), this gameday is critical. All these teams have an outside chance of making the playoffs, but they need to win their remaining games and rely on favourable results elsewhere in Division 1. Facing top teams like the Wolves and Honey Badgers makes this a challenging task
South A
Buckinghamshire Wolves vs Buckinghamshire Wolfpack
Salisbury City Marauders vs Buckinghamshire Wolves
Salisbury City Marauders vs Buckinghamshire Wolfpack
Victoria Park Panthers vs Chichester Sharks B
Chichester Sharks B vs Salisbury City Marauders
Victoria Park Panthers vs Buckinghamshire Wolfpack
The Buckinghamshire Wolves, currently 5th in the playoff seeding with a strong 10-2 record, are already confirmed for the playoffs. They will be looking to solidify their position and potentially climb the seeding ladder. Their games against both the Buckinghamshire Wolfpack and Salisbury City Marauders are opportunities to secure their top spot.
The Victoria Park Panthers are also confirmed in the playoffs, sitting 10th with a 9-3 record. They face Chichester Sharks B and Buckinghamshire Wolfpack this gameday. The Panthers' focus will be securing a favourable position for the playoffs and possibly contending for a higher seed.
The Chichester Sharks B, ranked 16th with a 6-5-1 record, are still in the playoff hunt. They need to win against both the Victoria Park Panthers and Salisbury City Marauders to ensure their place in the postseason. With their current record and the head-to-head advantage over the Exeter Falcons, a couple of wins could be enough to clinch their playoff spot.
South B
Cardiff Bay Coyotes vs Gwent Gators
Gwent Gators vs Keynsham Kings II
Exeter Falcons vs Cardiff Bay Coyotes
Swansea Hammerheads vs Cardiff Bay Coyotes
Exeter Falcons vs Swansea Frenzy
Keynsham Kings II vs Swansea Hammerheads
Gwent Gators vs Swansea Frenzy
Swansea Hammerheads, currently leading the division with a perfect 14-0 record, are confirmed in the playoffs and are likely to secure the 1 seed with wins in their final games. They face off against Keynsham Kings II and Cardiff Bay Coyotes this gameday, aiming to finish the regular season undefeated.
Cardiff Bay Coyotes and Gwent Gators are in contention for the playoffs. The Coyotes, with a 7-4-1 record, are currently 14th, while the Gators, with an 8-5 record, are 15th. Both teams face off against each other and the Hammerheads, making these games critical for their playoff hopes. The Coyotes’ matchup against the undefeated Hammerheads will be particularly challenging.
Exeter Falcons, holding a 17th place with a 7-6-1 record, are also in the playoff hunt. They will need to win both their games against the Cardiff Bay Coyotes and Swansea Frenzy to improve their playoff chances. However, they might also need favourable results from other games to secure a postseason spot.