The North West has the spotlight on it today, with a strange home Sunday fixture for Mersey Tigers against Plymouth Raiders, and a regular one for Cheshire Phoenix at home to Durham Wildcats.

In the earlier game in Knowsley, I could be the most facetious person in the world after Durham’s shock win against Raiders and actually tout Tigers for the win. That would have been before Mersey’s worst defeat all season against Newcastle.

It’s not looking pretty.

Mersey are now without Daniel Pilkington, who has left the Tigers by mutual consent earlier this month and had this to say to Tigers’ supporters.

“I have had a fantastic time with the Mersey Tigers during the course of the season; I met some great guys and fans in my time here.

“However, after experiencing the BBL first hand, I realised that maybe it’s time to go away and try to develop my skill set and mental toughness to a level that can compete in the BBL.

“The league has been a real eye opener, I now know what I need to improve on, and how I need to play to be effective in this league. This has been 100% my decision and one that I believe will benefit my basketball career more in the future.

“Obviously it was brilliant to be a regular member of the rotations, but with that it was also a major step up from the level I have played in the past. I’m 21, I’m not down and out, I hope to be back and I hope to be a player who will be one to watch out for come game day.

“Personally, I think this is good for me and my growth as a player in the game.

“All I can say is that im unbelievably thankful and humbled by this opportunity and the experience I have gathered, and with the friends I have made along the way; I can not fault it one bit.

“The fans of the Mersey Tigers are amazing, supportive, and always there, I couldn’t have asked for better. Thank you to every one of the fans for welcoming me into the team. Keep the faith.”

The loss of Pilkington, together with the missing services of Chris Bigley and Jack Hudson, and head coach Tony Walsh not at the game due to illness on Friday night,  a huge 10/3 was offered for a Newcastle win with a -49.5pt handicap, it was there for the taking.

And again it is the same tonight, as Plymouth have everything to prove and need to start finding decent form. A win after two periods of overtime at home to Manchester and the shocking defeat on Friday against Durham spells out all the warning Mersey need.

Eleven times out of twenty this season Mersey have lost by 30 points or more. 9 of those have been 35+, and 25% of all games have been lost by 50 points or more.

If Plymouth can go at this game, no holds barred, they will go over 40 points with ease.

The other tie in the North West sees the conquerors of Plymouth, Durham Wildcats face up to the still depleted Cheshire Phoenix side.

This game is more crucial than you may be led to believe. This wins the head-to-head tonight, and the way the tail end for the play-offs is shaping up, victories are vital in big four pointers such as this.

The Raiders win was a huge scalp, something Cheshire will have to emulate next weekend too if the North East side claim the win.

The inability to rotate a great deal for Cheshire is the sticking point, Durham may have a similar problem, but they dealt with it effectively by the sounds of things from Friday night.

It’s a tough one to call, however, the odds that William Hill seem to be giving are nothing short of strange…

Despite this being a close call game, the points spread seems a little bit off. And if Durham have plenty in the tank at the end of the game as on Friday, this bet could be a cheeky one.