The bottom of the league Steelmen head west knowing a second triumph of the season over the Drovers could lift them off the foot of the table.
Saturday’s hosts are targeting their own rapid ascent towards the chasing pack behind Cardiff after last weekend’s impressive victory over RGC 1404 at Colwyn Bay.
If Llandovery can use the victory in North Wales as a springboard to stay in the winning habit for their two games in hand, they will be sitting pretty in third position. And Evans is hoping to continue their soaring start to 2020 against a wounded Ebbw side.
“We’re looking to really elevate ourselves up the league after a really positive performance and result away at RGC,” Evans said. “It all came together and we got the result we deserved after a festive period where we weren’t getting the rewards for some of our efforts.
“But Ebbw Vale are in a position they will also want to improve on. This league is so competitive and we’ve seen anyone can beat anyone.
“They’ve already beaten us once this season and will be confident they can do it again at our place, but we know we’ve got a big opportunity to start moving up the league and join those chasing Cardiff, who look like they’ve already won it this year.”
The league action kicks off at Rodney Parade tonight as Aberavon travel to Newport. A bonus-point win would put the Wizards level on points with second places Carmarthen Quins.
Newport battled past Bridgend last time out and a second successive victory would be another crucial step towards guaranteeing their safety.
Runaway leaders Cardiff saw their stunning 12 game Indigo Group Premiership winning streak halted by Pontypridd before the turn of the year.
The Blue and Blacks recovered to overcome Llanelli in their first game of 2020, but they have been forced to wait for their second game of the year after an outbreak of mumps in the Swansea squad forced the St. Helen’s clash to be postponed.
Last season’s champions Merthyr face the impossible if they are to catch Cardiff and retain their crown. Dale McIntosh’s side have let a 20 point gap open up between themselves and the capital club, but will be hoping the league leaders suffer a series of slip ups to open the door for an unlikely challenge.
The Ironmen host struggling Bridgend, who will be determined to start building a gap of their own between themselves and bottom side Ebbw Vale, who can leapfrog them with a win from their game in hand.
Pontypridd and RGC both have a chance to kickstart their inconsistent campaigns and make a challenge for second place when they clash at Sardis Road.
Indigo Group Premiership fixtures:
10/01/20
19:00 – Live on BBC Two Wales
Newport v Aberavon
11/01/20
Swansea P Cardiff P
14:30
Llandovery v Ebbw Vale
Merthyr v Bridgend
Pontypridd v RGC 1404
