REIGNING British Touring Car champion Matt Neal believes a "dust-up" is looming between Jason Plato and Fabrizio Giovanardi as their title fight intensifies.

Drotiwich driver Neal is currently fourth in the championship standings, 41 points adrift of leader Plato, although only two behind Vauxhall's third-placed driver Tom Chilton.

But the Team Halfords man clearly hopes that Plato and Giovanardi's battle boils over, enabling him to capitalise as the season enters its middle stages.

Neal said: "Being realistic, I think it's going to be tough to fight Jason for the title now. I see a big dust up looming on the horizon between him and Giovanardi.

"They are close in the points and both are hard men, so as the pressure mounts as the season progresses some sparks should start to fly.

"For us it's about taking the programme forward and winning a whole bunch of races in the second half."

Neal could be in an ideal position - he's openly admitted that because his Honda Civic is still new he has no expectations or worries about performance as, at this stage of development, each meeting remains an adventure'.

And the Civic appeared to take a significant leap forward in performance at Thruxton earlier this month.

Delayed by a first corner mix-up, Neal seemingly ended race one in stronger shape than the leaders and he and team-mate Gordon Shedden each ended the day with a second place finish.

Neal added: "I came away from Thruxton with a real bounce in my step. It was a really positive weekend for the whole team. Sure we want wins, but we have to look at the level of opposition and the bigger picture.

"I try not to think about the title as it just distracts from what's happening now, which is exactly how I approached it for the last two seasons when we've taken the title.

"My immediate primary focus is how we make the car fast, strong and reliable. Sure it would be sad not to do the treble, but if we don't we'll only be back next year even stronger and harder to beat."