Preview: Muller, Plato set for showdown

A total of 35 points are available for either driver, but Vauxhall's track record of strong reliability and the fact that neither Muller nor Plato have finished outside the top three since Muller's spin into the gravel at Oulton Park last month, indicates that things between the pair are expected to go right to the wire.

Plato admits that he is in the stronger position of the two. "It's a really exciting end to the championship," he said. "I'm ahead on points and I don't have the added pressure of needing two wins to become champion. The atmosphere will be electric."

Muller has to go all out for victory, but Brands Hatch is a circuit that suits his natural left-foot-braking driving style. In the season-opener at the 1.2-mile Indy loop, he was odds on for a clean sweep of points until an engine problem in the Feature race scuppered his chances

"Every driver would like a championship to be settled before the final rounds, but I like Brands Hatch and the circuit does not disagree with my style of driving," said Muler. "I have some ground to make up in the points, but I expect to make a strong showing."

There are numerous flies in Muller and Plato's ointment, however, which could mean that the title is decided without either driver winning a race. Although Muller and Plato have been the pacesetters all season, sharing 19 of the 24 victories up for grabs between them so far, their Egg Sport-backed Vauxhall team mates James Thompson and Phil Bennett will also be victory contenders.

The rival MG and Peugeot teams are also expected to be a factor. The short Indy loop should allow them to stay on the tail of the dominant Vauxhall Astra Coupes throughout the weekend. The MG ZS has improved further since an impressive Silverstone debut. The 'keep up the momentum' nature of Brands Hatch's uphill-downhill layout should limit the car's shortcomings in engine power and help MG take its pre-season target of a podium finish.

Peugeot will focus on regular drivers Steve Soper and Dan Eaves this weekend, following the decision not to run World Superbike ace Aaron Slight. Again, the team should be closer this weekend, and with the added horsepower of its latest engine modifications should be in with a shout of scoring a maiden win.

In the privateer ranks, journalist Stephen Sutcliffe, from Autosport's sister title Autocar replaces Thomas Erdos in the Total Motorsport Racing Lexus IS200, and has proved nearly as quick as the Brazilian in testing. Tom Ferrier almost won the Feature race at Donington Park in his JS Motorsport Alfa Romeo 147 thanks to his early pitstop, and the car, shared by team manager Tim Harvey has improved since its early problems. Both teams had races to forget in the season-opener at the circuit, however, and will be playing catch-up this weekend.

There is also plenty to watch out for in the Production Class. HTML Peugeot 306 team mates Simon Harrison and Roger Moen are separated by just five points in the title chase, and with a host of other cars, including title outsider James Kaye in the Barwell Motorsport Honda Accord chasing them hard, the leading pair can expect a tough battle to win the title.

The Production Class teams' crown is still up for grabs with Ford Focus outfit GR Motorsport needing just a handful of points to beat HTML. As ever, you can keep up with every piece of the action on Autosport.com.