THE battle for Premier League survival next season has intensified as the 29th round takes a central stage with all 16 teams in action at eight different venues today.
The league matches momentarily paused to pave the way for Young Africans, who played in a two-legged CAF Confederation Cup final against USM Alger.
The top four teams have already established dominance in their places, meaning that no matter the outcomes of the remaining two league fixtures; the top-four package will not be affected.
They are Yanga FC, who already reclaimed their title, followed by their traditional rivals Simba SC. At the same time, Azam FC and Singida Big Stars fight neck to neck for the third and fourth positions.
Young Africans and Simba SC are sure of the CAF Champions League participation as Azam and Singida Big Stars have secured CAF Confederation Cup tickets.
Aside from Polisi Tanzania, whose survival hangs by a thread, four other teams above them are trying to escape the playoffs; hence the only way to stay put in the league is by winning their remaining clashes.
For instance, Dodoma Jiji placed 11th on the table with 31 points, having to beat Namungo at Majaliwa Stadium in Lindi to scale up their target of avoiding the playoff, thus making this a tricky fixture.
Likewise, 12th placed Mbeya City, who have accumulated 30 points, ought to defeat Yanga at Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya for them to escape the playoff which usually becomes a tough 50-50 fixture as each team has equal chances to either remain or take a step back to the Championship League.
With the long travel that Young Africans FC have had as they just landed home on Sunday night from Algeria, Mbeya City can take it as an advantage to stun the champions.
Again, KMC, who sit 13th on the table with 29 points, need to beat Tanzania Prisons at Sokoine Stadium to rekindle their hopes of escaping the wrath of the playoff.
It is also a tense assignment for the Kinondoni-based club, and the 90 minutes of play will determine who deserves the maximum points.
Similarly, 14th placed Mtibwa Sugar with 29 points have answers to provide when they host Kagera Sugar at Manungu Complex in Morogoro.
Mtibwa Sugar can snatch maximum points if they use the home venue properly. But, simultaneously, they can succumb to a nosedive, dropping essential points.
Polisi Tanzania, placed 15th on the table with 25 points, has a tough test against Simba, who host them at Azam Complex in Chamanzi, Dar es Salaam.
If Polisi Tanzania win, they will earn 28 points, but they will remain plastered in the 15th place as the generated points will not help them to overtake Mtibwa Sugar, who parade 29 points.