Although Leigh Genesis have been placed amongst the title favourites, they aren't the only club to have undergone wholesale changes over the summer, with hosts Eastwood also having their odds dramatically shortened in the title race after a hugely impressive pre-season campaign that has seen them enjoy a thirteen game unbeaten run that includes a 3-1 victory over Blue Square North outfit Hinckley United, a 5-1 victory over a youthful Grimsby Town side and an amazing 11-1 win over Gedling Town.

The game marks Leigh's first game at UniBond Premier League level since the end of their title winning season in 1999/2000, with the club almost completely unrecognisable from the Leigh RMI side that has been playing in the Blue Square North for the past three seasons, with changes at all levels of the club ensuring it's progression on and off the field, with full time players and staff alike.

With so many changes in the playing squad, only Paul Booth, Richard Chetcuti, Jonathan Goulding, Andy Heald, Rob Marsh-Evans, Bradley Maylett and Mark Smyth remaining from last season's squad, with the likes of Steve Dickinson,  Tom Field, Chris Holland, Jerome Fitzgerald, Jerome Watt, Andrew Teague, Josh Wilson and Darren Mansaram all in line to make their competitive debuts at Coronation Park.

With summer signing Jordan Stepien currently nursing a hamstring injury, Leigh Genesis manager Steve Bleasdale will have to choose two players from Mark Smyth, Richard Chetcuti and Darren Mansaram to play in the Leigh attack, while Bleasdale will have to decide whether to continue with the three man defensive formation that has been a pre-season regular or return to playing four at the back.

After a somewhat hectic pre-season campaign that brought just two defeats from eight games, Steve Bleasdale's side have enjoyed an eleven day rest between their final friendly, a 2-0 victory away to Salford City, and Saturday's trip to Nottinghamshire, with the squad taking advantage of a fixture-free weekend to finalise their training ahead of a pivotal season in the club's history, with the dazzling new stadium at the Leigh Sports Village set to open in November.

• Just three places remain on the supporter's coach to Eastwood on Saturday, with places costing £15 each and the coach leaving from Leigh town centre at 11am. If you are interested in claiming one of these seats then e-mail matt.lawton@genesisleythers.co.uk or speak to the club directly on 0800 634 2878 as soon as possible.

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