Pace-setting Grange aim to secure win No 8 and retain their unblemished record when they travel to lowly Erskine Stewart’s Melville (ESM) on Saturday (15.30).
ESM are tenth in the table with five points from six fixtures while Grange are in pole position with a maximum 21 points having scored 26 goals and let in seven.
Their opposition this weekend have scored seven goals and let in 16 and Grange are in no mood to leave the pitch near Ferry Road without another three points.
Coach Stevie Grubb confirms no injury worries apart from David Nairn who has a foot problem and the competition for places is pushing the intensity in training. He said: “Selection is my headache, a nice headache to have.”
Grubb expects a tough game v ESM and said: “They are well-coached and it looks as if they have progressed this season. They will be organised on the pitch. Those are the challenges we are looking for in our games.”
Edinburgh University are second with 15 points from their five starts and they remain the division’s leading scorers with 29 and only three against. They host sixth-placed FSEG Clydesdale who have seven points from five games.
Calum Douglas is in Malaysia with Great Britain under-21 and misses out for the students and James Pitchford in unavailable.
Coach Hamish Imrie confirmed that Declan Bradley is still on the sidelines and will hopefully be ready to make his comeback soon and it is touch and go whether Luca Muller, who missed last weekend’s match, will be fit.
Clemens Probst is back training with the squad but Imrie said: “It was a disappointing result last weekend when we lost 3-1 to Watsonians but that has refocused us ahead of some exciting and tough games ahead starting with Clydesdale at home on Saturday.”
Third are Western Wildcats who entertain Watsonians. Western are third on 15 points with Watsonians fifth on seven points. Both have played six games.
Eighth-placed Inverleith who have six points from seven games host Glasgow outfit Hillhead, a side sitting in fourth position on nine points from their six games.
Inverleith have netted 17 goals but shipped 28 while Hillhead have scored 13 and let in 21.
Fixtures: Scottish Premiership: men: Thursday: Hillhead v Western (19.30). Saturday: Edinburgh University v FSEG Clydesdale (13.30); Erskine Stewart’s Melville v Grange (15.30); Grove Menzieshill v Dundee Wanderers; Inverleith v Hillhead; Western Wildcats v Watsonians; Kelburne v Uddingston (12.20).
Women: University of St Andrews v Hillhead (13.30); GHK v Gordonians (14.15).
PICTURE: Action from Edinburgh University v ESM. Picture Nigel Duncan
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