A six-point gap separates the two sides at the top of the English Premier League, with the Bison being the only other side – apart from Swindon – to have beaten The Tigers this season.

On Saturday, meanwhile, Telford travel south to Milton Keynes, to face the Lightning in their first encounter at the club’s newly refurbished arena.

But all eyes will be on that clash with Basingstoke – a game which could conceivably see The Tigers move ten points clear at the top of the standings.

Watkins said: “The Bison have probably got the most settled line-up in the league and that will be a big help for them, especially in the dressing room.

“Players take time to integrate themselves, but they are settled from last season, when they had a great year.

“It is a very big game for us and it will be a tough night.”

The 3-2 penalty shoot-out defeat in September, when The Tigers were still unbeaten, was a salutary lesson in fast-paced, attacking ice hockey.

Watkins is expecting more of the same on Sunday, albeit with his much-changed side now having had the chance to gel.

“That game was quite a few weeks ago, so we have improved and gelled a bit more, but then so have they,” he said.

“We know a few things about their players, although it will be a new day on a smaller ice pad in Telford.

“They are a team that has a good fore-check and very good balance.

“We need to make sure we start well and fast. If we do that, then we can make it hard for teams to play at our level.”

Saturday’s trip to Milton Keynes represents something of unknown quantity for Telford, with the Lightning having had a mixed bag of results this season.

But with the club’s Thunderdome arena having reopened after a lengthy refurbishment, they will present a much tougher challenge this time around.

Watkins added: “Milton Keynes have been in their rink for a couple of weeks now so hopefully, any excitement will have faded. Playing on the road for so long has been very tough for them.

“They work very hard and in Adam Carr they’ve got a great guy who is a superb two-way player.

“That time on the road means they are a very strong, close group of players. The loss of Tom Carlon might hurt them, but they are always hard to play against and break down.”

Sunday’s game against Basingstoke at Telford Ice Rink faces off at 5.30pm.