SHEFFIELD (Interstat) — The Cheshire Phoenix will visit the Sheffield Sharks on Sunday at Canon Medical Arena in a matchup of teams separated by one game in the standings. Cheshire enters at 4-4, while Sheffield is 3-3. The Phoenix will look to build on a dramatic road victory, while the Sharks seek to protect home court and stay above .500. The Phoenix and Sharks are meeting for the first time this season, with a return fixture set for Cheshire later in the campaign. Both teams are looking to gain momentum in a crowded early-season race.

Cheshire most recently earned a 93-90 overtime win at Manchester Basketball. Nazir Williams powered the Phoenix with 35 points, three rebounds and six assists in 42 minutes. Isaiah Gray added 16 points and seven rebounds, and Skyler White had 12 points and nine rebounds. Williams has been Cheshire’s central threat. He had 13 points and nine assists at Liverpool, nine points and four assists against Surrey 89ers, and 21 points, four rebounds and five assists against London Lions. His creation will be a focus for Sheffield’s defense.

Sheffield’s most recent result was an 81-76 road win at Surrey 89ers. Donovan Clay led the Sharks with 20 points, five rebounds, two assists and a block in 25 minutes. Sean Bairstow scored 16 points, and William Lee added eight points and nine rebounds. Clay has been consistent, with nine points and three rebounds at London Lions, 10 points and seven rebounds against Newcastle, and five points and four rebounds at Caledonia Gladiators. Sheffield will need balanced production around Clay.

Cheshire’s recent form includes a 117-108 win at Liverpool, a 107-91 home loss to Surrey 89ers, an 87-83 home loss to London Lions and a 105-91 win at Manchester. The Phoenix can score in bunches but have had uneven defensive stretches. Sheffield has mixed results, including losses at London Lions, at home to Newcastle and at Glasgow, plus a home win over Leicester. The Sharks also beat Glasgow 98-76 at home.

Beyond Williams, Cheshire will rely on Gray and White at both ends. Sheffield’s Clay, Bairstow and Lee will be central. The matchup could hinge on pace and rebounding. Cheshire’s upcoming schedule includes a home game against Newcastle and road trips to Bristol Academy and Glasgow. Sheffield is set to visit Liverpool before home games against London and Leicester.

The game simulator projects Cheshire to win 99-91, and the ELO system gives Cheshire a 64.5 percent probability of victory. Sheffield has been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -2, and the over/under is 183.