Oxford City Stars' title ambitions in English National League Division 1 South face a crucial examination this weekend.

Stars are away to leaders Bracknell Hornets on Saturday (5.30pm), before facing Cardiff ENL Devils at Oxpens Road on Sunday (6.15pm).

Oxford and Bracknell are level on points, but the Berkshire side top the table on goal difference.

Stars coach Darryl Morvan is expecting Hornets to provide tough opposition.

"Bracknell have become an established side in the league with a largely unchanged squad over the last two years," he said.

"They are well-drilled and hard-working, and always difficult to beat on the larger ice surface at Bracknell.

"However, I watched them play Milton Keynes last week and I am confident that if we can repeat the form which saw us demolish Streatham Redskins 13-1 two weeks ago, then Bracknell will not be able to contain us".

Cardiff ENL Devils are the only team to beat Stars this season, having won their first meeting in south Wales 5-2.

Stars will be out for revenge, especially in front of their home fans.

Morvan said: "Cardiff are another team that are favoured to feature strongly in the league this year, and we know that we need to gain results against the top teams if we are to be considered genuine title challengers.

"We will be icing a full squad in both games, with the addition of Nick Oliver, who returns from injury.

"All the players are eager to build on the foundation of their performance of two weeks ago, which everyone who watched the game agrees was a very entertaining display of ice hockey.

"It is a shame that there still appear to be so many people unaware of how exciting ice hockey is, especially with the teams' current form being so strong.

"It would be nice to get more people coming to watch as the players definitely respond positively to our fans."