Ards take on EYHL leaders Loreto on Saturday with the Ulster side out to end a run of three games without a win.
The Dublin outfit come into the game having finished last season without defeat while they also remain unbeaten at the start of this campaign.
Having been promoted to the division last season, the Ulster side made a promising start to life in the EYHL picking up seven points in their first four games.
Meanwhile, the form of Zara Malseed has been a major plus with the forward netting four times this season.
However, last time out the Co Down outfit suffered a disappointing 4-0 loss to bottom-of-the-table UCD.
Last weekend saw Loreto drop points for the first time this campaign as they drew 1-1 with second-placed Catholic Institute.
A Rachel Kelly strike wasn’t enough, as Roisin Begley’s effort stopped a run of five straight wins for the champions.
Third-placed Ulster Elks could move up to second this weekend should they overcome Railway Union.
Joel Cathcart’s side have made a fine start to the campaign having won three of their opening six games and are just one point behind Catholic Institute.
In recent weeks the form of Gabriella Scott has helped the side pick up back-to-back wins over UCD and Old Alex with the forward netting three goals in the crucial wins.
They now face a Railway Union side who currently occupy seventh in the table and come into Saturday’s game off the back of three defeats in their last four outings.
Elsewhere, Pegasus could also finish the weekend in second place should they beat Old Alex in Dublin.
The Belfast club are just one of two sides yet to lose a game in normal time this campaign and in recent weeks have recorded impressive wins over Catholic Institute and Railway Union.
Meanwhile, the goal-scoring form of Alex Speers and youngster Anna Pim has seen the side score 11 times in their opening six games.
In the Legacy Wealth Management Premier League, Belfast Harlequins host Lisnagarvey at Deramore Park.
The hosts come into the game without a win since the opening day of the season when they thrashed Banbridge 7-0 at Havelock Park.
Since then the side have picked up just two points from their last three games with draws against Omagh and Lurgan.
They now face Jamie Ireland’s fourth-placed Lisnagarvey who could move into the EYHL2 places with a win but also come into the fixture looking for a first win in three.
Goals from Chrissy Hopkins, Beth Ravey and Scarlett Swann helped seal a 3-3 comeback draw against Portadown before a disappointing 2-0 loss to Lurgan last time out.