PREMIERSHIP strugglers Newport and Ebbw Vale will be desperate to make the best possible start to the new year as they both strive to avoid relegation with half the season remaining.

The threat of dropping into the Championship hangs over the heads of the two Gwent rivals, who are separated by five points in the bottom three places.

Ebbw, home to Merthyr tonight (kick-off 7.05pm), begin 2020 at the foot of the table, one point below Bridgend, who host Newport tomorrow (kick-off 2.30pm).

For now, it looks like a three-way battle between Greg Woods’ Steelmen, the Ravens and Ty Morris’ Black and Ambers to beat the drop.

However, with all the teams in the bottom half of the Premiership having at least 10 matches left, you wouldn’t bet against others being dragged into the dogfight.

Ebbw can give themselves and their supporters a massive lift tonight when the reigning champions make the trip to Eugene Cross Park.

Merthyr won the reverse encounter back in September 42-21, and after a somewhat mixed start to the defence of their title, this evening’s visitors appear to be back to somewhere near top form.

They manage to grind out wins against second-placed Carmarthen Quins and RGC either side of Christmas and now sit fifth in the league, five points adrift of the former.

Cardiff remain odds-on favourites to take the championship, despite losing for the first time this season when going down 26-25 to Pontypridd on December 28.

Ebbw were last in action on December 21, suffering a 26-11 defeat away to Aberavon, who then thumped Bridgend 44-3 on Boxing Day to take second until Carmarthen’s draw with Llandovery.

The Drovers, who along with Llanelli are four points above Newport, are the opponents for Ebbw next weekend.

While the Steelmen will be focused on a third win of the campaign tonight, they are also going to have an eye on events at the Brewery Field tomorrow.

It was nearly two months ago, coincidentally when the teams met at Rodney Parade, that Newport claimed their last Premiership triumph.

Morris’ men eased to a 22-0 success on November 9, but since then it has been four losses on the bounce, the most recent coming in Carmarthen on December 14.

One thing in Newport’s favour is that only Llandovery have played fewer games going into the second part of the season.

Newport have two fixtures in hand on Bridgend, one on Ebbw, and at least one on all the clubs from Llanelli up, including next Friday’s opponents Aberavon.

Looking further ahead, the reverse game between Newport and Ebbw takes place on January 31, while the Steelmen are set to go to Bridgend on March 28.

Fixtures: Tonight – Ebbw Vale v Merthyr; Tomorrow – Bridgend v Newport, Cardiff v Llanelli, Carmarthen Quins v Pontypridd, RGC v Llandovery, Swansea v Aberavon.