HAMILTON, Ontario (Interstat) — A Canadian Premier League championship berth is on the line Sunday when league-leading Forge FC hosts provincial rival Cavalry FC in the playoff semifinal.

The match at Tim Hortons Field pits the CPL’s most dominant side, Forge (22-4-11), against a Cavalry squad (14-11-10) that has proven to be a difficult opponent. Despite Forge’s superior record, the head-to-head matchups this season have been fiercely contested.

The teams played to a 1-1 draw in their most recent meeting on Oct. 10. However, Cavalry delivered a stunning blow in late August, securing a pair of 4-1 victories over Forge on the same day, a unique result stemming from a schedule quirk.

Forge enters the match in strong form, coming off a 3-0 victory over York United on Oct. 18. Cavalry, meanwhile, is looking to build momentum after a 2-2 draw with Vancouver FC on the same date.

According to the Interstat game simulator, the match is projected to end in a 1-1 draw, suggesting a tightly fought battle that could be decided in extra time or penalties.

The winner will advance to the CPL final, one step closer to claiming the North Star Shield.