ROUND 6 of the Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) stretches over four days, with a couple of huge top four clashes set to be ladder-defining matches. We take a look at the games that start tonight and run through until Monday, with plenty on the line for both sides.

Friday, March 4 @ 7:30pm GMT
Team Bath Arena

After getting passed Saracens Mavericks last round, Manchester Thunder have another tough encounter this week, coming up against top four side Team Bath on the road. The Thunder have set the benchmark for the rest of the competition, winning six straight games, whilst Bath have had some ups and downs, with a number of close games, including tight losses to London Pulse and Surrey Storm. At 3-2, Bath has a nice goal difference and can leapfrog the Mavericks with a win here. The Thunder goal circle is where to look, with Eleanor Cardwell and Joyce Mvula going head-to-head with Layla Guscoth and Phumza Maweni, whilst Roses duo Natalie Metcalf and Imogen Allison could create an entertaining clash.

Saturday, March 5 @ 2:00pm GMT
Cooper Box Arena

London Pulse is within reaching distance of the top four, and will achieve it by the end of the round providing they win against Severn Stars, and the Thunder topple Team Bath. The bookends of Olivia Tchine and Funmi Fadoju have been sensational for the Pulse this season, as they have won three of their past four games, with only a two-goal loss to Saracens Mavericks the blemish in that time. They will hope to take full advantage of a Stars side sitting at 1-4, but the Stars pushed Bath all the way in the most recent round. In saying that, the Stars have not won since Round 1, so will want to salute in order to break their four-game losing streak. Summer Artman and Lucy Herdman are a couple of important defenders who will have big roles, with Stars fans no doubt hoping to see more of Cathrine Tuivaiti this week after a brief return. Sacha McDonald and Jasmin Odeogberin have been among the more impressive players for Pulse this season.

Saturday, March 5 @ 2:00pm GMT
Emirates Arena

Surrey Storm are going about their business quietly, but efficiently of late, picking up two wins from their past three games, and being dangerous even when losing. They only lost to the red-hot Thunder by eight goals, and aside from a disappointing 16-goal loss to the Lightning in between, have picked up wins over the higher-touted Team Bath and Leeds Rhinos. The Strathclyde Sirens are also sitting at 1-4, but have lost their past three games. The have had a tough craw of late with losses to title contenders Manchester Thunder and Loughborough Lightning, but the two-goal loss to Leeds Rhinos is the one that will hurt. Niamh McCall and Emily Nicholl are among the exciting Scottish talents to watch in the side, with Rachel Conway having a great debut season for the Sirens, and Bethany Dix important at wing attack. Peace Proscovia has been a towering force at goal shooter, and been well supplied by midcourters Yasmin Parsons and Mikki Austin, whilst Niamh Cooper was superb in wing defence last game.

Saturday, March 5 @ 7:00pm GMT
Sir David Wallace Arena

The undefeated Loughborough Lightning will lock horns with fellow top four side Saracens Mavericks in what should be the Match of the Round. The Lightning have won all four games they have come across, with victories over London Pulse, Celtic Dragons, Surrey Storm and Strathclyde Sirens. The Mavericks won in single-digit victories over the Wasps, Dragons, Pulse and Severn Stars, before going down to Manchester Thunder by three goals in Round 5. Ine-Mari Venter and Kadeen Corbin will go head-to-head with Zanele Vimbela and Fran Williams up one end, whilst the Mavericks defence of Razia Quashie and Jodie Gibson will need to find a way to quell Mary Cholhok down the other. The clash is set to be an absolute blockbuster.

Sunday, March 6 @ 4:00pm GMT
First Direct Arena

Moving onto the standalone Sunday fixture, and Leeds Rhinos host Wasps Netball in a contest between two sides looking to turn their form around. The Rhinos are 2-2, but their wins have been by two and five goals respectively, whilst they got belted by Team Bath (20 goals) and then lost to Surrey Storm (nine). The Wasps have not fared any better. Aside from a nine-goal win over Severn Stars, they have suffered defeats at the hands of Saracens Mavericks, Strathclyde Sirens, London Pulse and Manchester Thunder to be sitting 10th on the table. The game really is a must-win for both sides to try and spark their season in these early stage, and the Rhinos will be favourites. Sigrid Burger and Amy Clinton are reliable shooters, with Brie Tyler Grierson in some good form, and Jade Clarke ever-consistent in the midcourt. Gezelle Allison stepped up for more court time for Rachel Dunn last round, and the likes of Iona Christian and Josie Huckle have also impressed this seaosn.

Monday, March 7 @ 5:30pm GMT
University of Worcester Arena

A bottom-three clash between the Stars – who will be backing up for their second game of the weekend – and last placed Celtic Dragons concludes the Round 6 action. The Dragons are yet to win a game this season, and have had some big losses against Manchester Thunder and Loughborough Lightning, but their efforts against Saracens Mavericks (seven goals) and Leeds Rhinos (five) were particularly heartening. Whilst the Stars have quality in their spots as indicated above, the Dragons look to younger players to step up. The defensive combination of Shaquanda Greene-Noel and Annabel Roddy has been strong, with Lefébre Rademan‘s experience up the other end crucial, and Nia Jones reliable in wing defence.