CROSS Keys entertain champions Merthyr this afternoon knowing they have to cause plenty of upsets to save their Principality Premiership status.

Keys are third from bottom with four clubs automatically relegated from the revamped top tier of semi-pro rugby.

Bridgend currently sit in the spot that will lead to a play-off against Championship champions elect Pontypool - and the Ravens have a nine-point advantage over the men from Pandy Park.

Keys suffered a damaging loss to Llanelli at Parc y Scarlets last weekend when their fellow strugglers crossed for nine tries in a 53-12 hammering.

Given that the Gwent side have lost five on the spin in the league, it’s going to take something of a miracle to avoid the drop because their run-in is not favourable.

They host the leaders this weekend and then face away games at Aberavon, Llandovery and Newport before hosting RGC 1404 on the planned final weekend.

Postponed fixtures against Pontypridd (home) and Bridgend (away) are yet to be rescheduled.

Keys were always likely to be in the relegation mix after a summer of dramatic change in 2018 and the departure of a glut of leading players.

A promising start provided some hope but they have been unable to build up a head of steam in a campaign, with the loss of influential fly-half Jason Tovey to the Dragons putting additional strain on a squad lacking experience at Premiership level.

They have recorded back-to-back victories just once - against bottom two Neath and Bargoed in January - and somehow need to go on a remarkable run against teams in the top half to stand a chance of retaining top-flight status.

Keys have lost all five games since Merthyr were promoted to the Premiership in 2016.

Morgan Stoddart’s side did, however, earn a bonus point when the teams met at the Wern in November thanks to tries by prop Scott Evans, back row forward Garin Price, wing Rory Budina and hooker Rhydian Jenkins in a 52-28 defeat.

Merthyr head to Pandy Park in second place after Cardiff beat Bridgend 39-30 at the Arms Park last night.