Neither of the top two will be in action in the MTN Super League this weekend, giving the chasing pack an opportunity to get ahead, not least ZESCO United, who host Green Eagles on Saturday.
Champions Power Dynamos and FC MUZA are both in CAF club competition action as they head the Super League table with identical starts to the season – two wins and three draws from their five games.
ZESCO are a point back having been a mixed bag so far, but they will hope to gain some momentum with victory over Eagles.
The latter have lost their last two games – to Dynamos and MUZA – conceding six goals in the process and scoring none.
Though quite remarkably, six of the last eight meetings between ZESCO and Eagles have finished goalless, with a win apiece in the other two.
Red Arrows suffered their first defeat last time out but can get back on track when they host NAPSA Stars.
The latter got their first win of the season in their previous game but have not won away since April. That was also the month Arrows last lost at home.
NKANA SEEK FIRST WIN
ZANACO have also had a mixed start to the campaign with eight points from a possible 15 as they host Prison Leopards.
Leopards have won three of the last five meetings between the sides, with the other two ending goalless.
Promoted Mutondo Stars have made a solid start to life in the elite league and like opponents Mufulira Wanderers have taken eight points from their first five games.
This will be a first top-flight meeting between the teams.
There are also three games on Sunday as bottom side Nkana FC seek a first win having taken just a single point from their first five games.
They host second-bottom Trident, so will see this as the perfect opportunity to break their duck.
Kabwe Warriors host Nkwazi, whose bright start to the season has hit a few hurdles in recent weeks, with both teams on eight points.
Finally, Kansanshi Dynamos host Konkola Blades. These two teams last met in the 2021-22 season, when Dynamos won both fixtures.