The New Saints will aim to extend their lead at the summit of the Welsh Premier League when they face Bala Town at Maes Tegid on Wednesday evening.
While TNS have taken 13 points from a possible 15 this season, Bala also remain unbeaten in the league after picking up three wins and two draws.
Match preview
Having been invited to compete in this season's Scottish Challenge Cup, Bala Town suffered a 3-0 defeat to Queen's Park last weekend, recording their first loss of the 2023-24 campaign.
Still, the Lakesiders are yet to taste defeat in the Welsh Premier League this term, having taken 11 points from a possible 15 to remain within two points of defending champions and early frontrunners TNS.
After kicking off their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Barry Town United, Bala played out a goalless draw with Cardiff Metropolitan University before securing another 1-0 win against Connah's Quay Nomads, starting the season with three successive clean sheets.
Following a 1-1 draw with Caernarfon Town and a 2-1 victory over Penybont, Colin Caton's men find themselves fourth in the Welsh Premier League with the joint-best defensive record in the division.
The New Saints were also in Scottish Challenge Cup action last time out, although they enjoyed far more success than Bala Town, clinching a dominant 3-0 win against Hibernian Under-21s while preventing the hosts from registering a single attempt on target.
Thanks to a run of four wins and one draw in the league, TNS have started their title defence in impressive fashion, having lost just two of their 32 league outings en route to lifting the trophy last term.
It is also worth noting that Craig Harrison's men have already scored six goals on two occasions this season, with a 6-2 thrashing of Connah's Quay on the opening weekend of the campaign preceding a 6-0 crushing of Aberystwyth Town earlier this month.
On top of that, TNS hammered Bala Town 6-0 in the final of the Welsh Cup last term, meaning that Caton's side will be determined to keep the visitors' attacking players quiet on Wednesday.
Team News
Bala Town striker George Newell has already bagged three goals and one assist this season, while Naim Arsan has contributed three goals from left-back.
Eighteen-year-old forward Iwan Roberts has also impressed following his summer move from Liverpool, chipping in with a goal and an assist in the league.
As for TNS, Scottish striker Declan McManus has netted five goals in as many games this term, while Manchester City academy product Adrian Cieslewicz has notched four goals and two assists.
McManus was the top scorer in the Welsh Premier League by a considerable margin last season, netting a whopping 26 goals - 12 goals more than Newtown's Aaron Williams.
Jordan Williams and Ben Clark have also contributed multiple goal involvements in 2023-24, with the latter registering a goal and an assist in each of his last two appearances.
Bala Town possible starting lineup:
Absalom; Shannon, Harrison, Peate, Arsan; Burke, Edwards, Mendes; Malkin, Newell, Abadaki
The New Saints possible starting lineup:
Roberts; Davies, Hudson, Astles, Redmond; Canavan, Williams, Clark; Daniels, McManus, Cieslewicz
We say: Bala Town 1-3 The New Saints
Given that Bala Town boast the joint-best defensive record in the Welsh Premier League after five matches, we expect the hosts to put up a decent fight on Wednesday.
Still, free-scoring TNS look set to extend their lead at the summit of the table with another victory over Bala, having already netted 16 league goals this season.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Ben Morris
