Strathspey Thistle manager Charlie Brown says victory this weekend is crucial in their bid to avoid finishing bottom of the Breedon Highland League.
The Grantown Jags, who are second bottom, face 16th-placed Deveronvale at Princess Royal Park.
The side who finish at the foot of the division could have to go through the relegation play-off – depending on if any eligible sides win the North Caledonian League, North Region Premier League or Midlands League – in a bid to retain their place in the Highland League
Although Banks o’ Dee are currently below Strathspey following their points deduction, most observers expect the Aberdeen side to finish the campaign clear of the bottom.
With Thistle trailing Saturday’s opponents Vale by seven points, Brown is well aware of the importance of the trip to Banff.
He said: “We’ve got a game plan in mind for the Deveronvale game and, if the boys can pull that off, we’re in with a shout.
“We know it’s a big game and a must-win realistically, if we want to have a chance of staying off the bottom.
‘Must win’
“We feel we need to pick something up in this game – Deveronvale are one of the teams above us we’re looking to catch.
“We’ve trained well this week, the boys are positive and there’s a good buzz around the squad. They’re fired up for this game.
“I’ve said it’s a must-win, but really I look at every game as a must-win.
“Anything we can pick up in any game will help us in the long run, we look at every game as a must-win.
“But this game has a bit more edge about it because Deveronvale are the team above us.
“If we don’t take anything from it we’ll be 10 points behind Deveronvale, which will be a mountain to climb.
“We need to be positive, regardless of Saturday’s result. We’ll continue to work really hard to try to get out of the position we’re in.”