THIS weekend sees the ANZ Premiership season hit its two thirds mark, and with the last month of the fixture just around the corner already, things are no doubt going to soon heat up.

It will perhaps be as soon as this weekend, with Grand Final rematches and tight clashes aplenty up and down the country.

The Mystics have got arguably the toughest assignment of the weekend, with two games only about 27 hours apart.

Luckily there is no travel factor involved, but the Mystics will certainly be hoping nothing goes wrong in the first game that could affect them in the second.

Game one will certainly not be easy though, as they have to contend with a Magic side that has been a real headache for the Mystics this season. Both of their previous meetings this season have been decided by a single goal, so do not be surprised if something similar happens again this weekend.

The battle down the Magic attacking end is sure to be a fascinating one.

The partnership between Ameliaranne Ekenasio and Bailey Mes and the seamlessness in which they can play either position has been a big positive for the Magic this season and given coach Mary-Jane Araroa that added degree of flexibility.

They come up against Silver Fern Phoenix Karaka and Carys Stythe, who has come in to replace Sulu Fitzpatrick and done so seamlessly.

After that match, the Mystics need to back up and take on the Stars on Monday night.

This one was also tight the last time these two sides faced off, so it will be no surprise if history repeats itself.

The Mystics started really well last time but then the Stars put on quite the comeback.

However, that was also the clash that Fitzpatrick went down injured and has not returned since, so if she still is not back this weekend that is one less threat the Stars shooters will have to contend with.

However, the Mystics will have to contend with a Stars midcourt that is on fire at the moment, with Gina Crampton, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan and others all having really solid seasons.

The Stars also have a busy weekend, as they will come into that clash on Monday off the back of having already played the Pulse 48 hours prior.

These two sides have split the points across the two meetings between them so far this season, with both sides winning one contest each.

One particular battle in this clash that is sure to be intriguing is the one between Maia Wilson and Kelly Jury.

Both past Silver Ferns team mates, Jury is having a stellar season while Wilson will be looking to up her game in the last month of the season with so many good shooters pushing for those all important World Cup squad spots.

The other match this weekend is on Sunday afternoon in Dunedin, where the Steel will be playing host to the Tactix.

A bottom two side clash of seasons past, that is far from the reality this time around.

It is a make or break weekend for the Steel, who are yet to put a win on the board and are running out of weekends to do so and still be in finals contention.

The Tactix on the other hand currently sit in third place and will be keep to put another win on the board to further cement their finals place.

Kate Burley has had a really strong year for the Steel, but she will have her work cut out for her this weekend trying to keep quiet Aliyah Dunn.

ANZ Premiership Round 8 Fixture

Pulse vs Stars – Saturday at 7:15pm – TSB Arena, Wellington

Steel vs Tactix – Sunday at 2:10pm – Edgar Centre, Dunedin

Mystics vs Magic – Sunday at 4:10pm – The Trusts Arena, Auckland

Mystics vs Stars – Monday at 7:35pm – The Trusts Arena, Auckland