SAVUSAVU will have to fight tooth and nail in the upcoming Fiji Sun/GP Batteries National Football League matches to avoid demotion to the premier division.
The northerners, which made the top flight last year, is placed last in the NFL points table with only three points.
The side has played 12 matches of which they have drawn three to earn the points.
Savusavu was left out of the Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants (BOG) after missing out of top eight alongside Tavua.
The side will take on giants, Ba in their next match when the Men in Black make their northern tour this weekend.
Nadi under the guidance of Kamal Swamy and Imdad Ali leads the points table with eight wins, two draws and a loss so far in the competition.
The Jetsetters have 26 points and boast a hefty lead ahead of the neighbours, Lautoka, which has 22 points after 11 matches.
Ba, yet to complete its final round one match against Suva, is placed on third with 22 points after nine matches.
The Gurjit Singh-coached Suva is on fifth followed by Rewa, Labasa, Nadroga, Tavua and Navua.
Fiji Football Association competitions manager Jainendra Sukhu has praised teams that were using the NFL to develop upcoming players.
He said teams like Labasa and Rewa had realised the importance of exposing young players for future use.
"One of the motives of National Football League is to develop new and upcoming players. When senior players are out of the country due to national team commitment, the districts should use these young players so they gain some exposure and get a feel of top level competition," Sukhu said.
"Districts doing this will be able to save money in the future as they won't be running after other district players. Also these young players will be able to become marketable through competing in the NFL."
Meanwhile, the last round of NFL matches before teams will go on break to prepare for BOG will be played this weekend.
Sukhu said with 90 minutes soccer to be played in this tournament, players needed more time to recover before the first round of BOG to be held on July 22 at Subrail Park in Labasa.
The tournament will be held proper at Lautoka's Churchill Park from July 26-29.