For the best part of three seasons the Free State Cheetahs have come second-best in the feline rugby battle that is separated by the Vaal River. Whatever strides the Cheetahs thought they were making, the Golden Lions bounded past them, getting Currie Cup silverware last year after being losing finalists in 2014.While it is odd for blue-chip Currie Cup matches to take place on Thursday evenings, the Lions have to contend with just that tonight against the Cheetahs at the Free State Stadium.The Johannesburg outfit find themselves in the awkward position of having to win all of their remaining matches. While they have not exactly made a dog's breakfast of their title defence, they do not have the Super rugby continuity the Cheetahs have been blessed with.The Lions will know it was Super rugby momentum that powered them to the title last year as they were not required to lose any players to the Springboks. However, the wheel turns like that.No one would have bet on the Cheetahs being unbeaten, but after five matches Franco Smith's side have yet to drop a game - and have collected four four-try bonus points.The Lions have been free scoring but they do not have the wins the Cheetahs have assiduously racked up. Johan Ackermann's side has battled to re-create their home form on the road.At home, the Lions have averaged 62 points a game but their visits to Pretoria and Kimberley saw them drop games against the Bulls and the Griquas.It explains why the Lions are fifth on the log with 17 points from five matches. They simply cannot allow the Cheetahs to dictate terms and run away with the game.If they do, they will have their hands full in the forthcoming three weeks when they will have to depend on other results to go their way.Should the Cheetahs win, they will probably have one foot in the play-offs, even though they will need to win at least two of their last three matches to guarantee themselves a home semifinal or final if they get that far.Their 38-30 win over the Sharks in Durban on Saturday showed that the Cheetahs may have some championship mettle in them - they kept the hosts at bay at a ground where they have not done very well in the recent past...