IT'S not often the league leaders go into a game as underdogs - but that's what Jay Catton reckons Connah's Quay Nomads are heading to Cardiff Met on Sunday.

Andy Morrison's Nomads continued their fine start to the campaign with a 3-1 win over Carmarthen Town last weekend, which took them to the top of the table.

Cardiff Met are seventh in the table having won four and lost four of their league fixtures, but a 4-1 thumping of reigning champions The New Saints means they are full of confidence.

With that in mind, Nomads director of football Catton, who saw his side thump Airbus 5-1 in the League Cup on Tuesday, said: "It's one of the toughest games you can have now - they've just beaten the champions 4-1.

"If you go on paper, you could argue they are favourites to win the game on Sunday, which we know.

"We will go into the game as underdogs, no problem at all, and look to show what we can do and the qualities that we've got.

"But we know it's going to be totally different (to Tuesday). It's going to be an even more demanding game against a team on the back of a 4-1 win, who will be looking to beat us - that will be their goal.

"We've got a very, very good record against Cardiff Met. We are unbeaten against them in two or three years, including the Welsh Cup.

"We know in detail what they will be about, they will have the same information on us and we will come up with a plan to get the three points on Sunday."

Cardiff Met boss Christian Edwards insists the men from the capital will respect visiting Nomads as they seek to beat the top two in consecutive outings.

“Over the last two seasons I have come to know Andy as a shrewd individual, who has developed Connah’s Quay into a very good force in the Welsh Premier League, but also in Europe.

“When you see what they do and how they play, they’re very difficult to play against – a total paradox to what TNS are, but equally effective, and you have to respect them for how well they do what they do!

“Three years ago when we first played them in the Welsh Cup quarter-final, we probably didn’t respect them enough, but we’ve certainly learnt to respect Andy and his team since then, they’re fantastic.

"I think they’re closing the gap, they’ve beaten TNS already this year and I know Andy works very, very hard. I very much respect what they do, but also what we do, and I feel this is a game we can go out and win.”

Kieran Smith insists Bala Town won’t underestimate hosts Caernarfon Town in-front of the television cameras tonight.

The Lakesiders continued their improved form with a 6-1 League Cup thrashing of Flint Town United on Tuesday that extended their unbeaten run to three matches.

But fourth placed Bala and Caernarfon, in sixth, are separated only on goal difference, so Smith and his team mates won’t be taking Sean Eardley’s men lightly.

“We are confident, but we can’t underestimate them, they’ve had a really good run of results - they’ve obviously beaten Connah’s Quay, so it’s going to be a tough game,” said Smith, fresh from a midweek hat-trick. “We’ve never had an easy game when we’ve played there whether in pre-season or the Welsh Cup and they get some fans down there so it will be a tough atmosphere. Hopefully, if we can perform (like Tuesday) we will be alright.”

The New Saints make their way to Carmarthen tomorrow with boss Scott Ruscoe expecting a different challenge from the Old Gold than in previous years.

“They are playing a different style of football under Neil Smothers this season compared to what they’ve done with Mark Aizlewood,” said Ruscoe.

“He’s brought in a different philosophy and they’ve certainly got the will to win, they pushed Connah’s Quay all the way last weekend.”

Bottom of the table Llanelli go in search of only their second win of the season at Llandudno tomorrow, while it’s third against fifth as Barry Town United visit Newtown.