Fans of both Dunfermline and Forfar know that nothing is decided in mid-October, but victory for either side could strike a timely psychological blow in the promotion race.
The top two meet at East End Park and it is the visitors who are in pole position at the moment, having taken 20 points from the season’s first quarter and having beaten their hosts 2-0 at Station Park back in August.
Jim Jefferies’ Pars have stayed in touch though, and could well be sitting pretty if they manage to not only beat Forfar this weekend but third-placed Morton, again at East End Park, in a week’s time.
While the pressure might therefore be on the hosts to get a result, Forfar boss Dick Campbell will have been delighted with the way his Loons have gone about their business to date.
And with the chance to go four points clear at the top presenting itself against the Pars, Campbell will head to his former stamping ground in confident mood.
“We’ve got 20 points out of the first quarter and nobody’s done that in a long time,” he said.
“I’m not getting caught up in the Dick Campbell going back to Dunfermline stuff, I’m just after three points at the end of the day and it’s just another game for us.
“It’ll be the same team and it’s just a case of keeping it going.
“We’re a point ahead of Dunfermline and four or five ahead of the others.
“I’m not getting carried away, it’s a great start to the season, but we knew that.”
Forfar, who have won their last three league fixtures on the bounce, are likely to be unchanged, with only Derek Young likely to be sidelined.
Gavin Malin picked up a slight groin strain in midweek but should be fine.
For his part, Pars boss Jefferies is not looking beyond the challenge immediately in front of them and is expecting a tough game.
“They have a few experienced players, players who have played at a higher level, and they have done extremely well and have used their knowledge to start the season well,” he said.
“Nothing will be decided on Saturday, there is a long, long way to go after that.
“If both teams are in that position with half a dozen games to go then it will be massive but on Saturday both teams will be trying to win the game and either they will remain top, or we will go top.
“Just like them we are on a good run, going well and although the expectations are more on us than on them. We have got to deal with that.
“That worked for them last time when after we missed a couple of good chances, they punished us for that.
“But hopefully we can take our chances.”
Lewis Martin is back from international duty and striker Allan Smith also returns, while Andy Geggan played more than an hour of the Pars’ Development League defeat to St Johnstone in midweek and could also feature.
However, Ryan Thomson remains out with a hamstring tear, while Ryan Wallace and Stuart Urquhart are also expected to be sidelined.