TCS Chester Jets can strike a massive blow for their BBL title hopes on Sunday when they take on their closest rivals Sheffield Sharks at the Northgate Arena (5.30pm).

But leaders Jets will be seeking their 13th successive league victory when they take on Thames Valley Tigers tomorrow, while the Sharks, who are in second place, six points adrift, are enjoying a day off.

The way the fixtures have fallen means Sheffield will arrive at the Arena fresh and rested as the Jets try to recover from what is sure to be another tough test against bogey team Thames Valley, at Bracknell.

But it was a similar experience for the Jets last weekend. They pulled off a vital win at Brighton Bears last Saturday and after arriving home at 3am still had enough in the tank to beat Milton Keynes - who had only one game last weekend - the following night.

The Jets are there to be shot at, but coach Paul Smith doesn't allow himself or his players to dwell on their league position or their rivals.

'We think only about ourselves and our next game,' he said. 'We don't consider our position, although it is unusual for us to be at the top of the table at this time of the season. We are usually chasing the pack.'

Even if Jets finish top of the pile in April they will still have to battle for the ultimate BBL honour at the Championship play-off semi-finals and finals in Birmingham on April 30 and May 1.

Jets' explosive guard Trey Moore netted the BBL player of the month award for January. The league's leading scorer, who averages 24.38 points per game, led Chester's scoring in every game in January. Smith finished runner-up to Brighton's Nick Nurse in the vote for coach of the month.