The undefeated Crimson racquetmen are favored to clinch sole possession of the national and Ivy League squash titles this afternoon in a match against Yale at Hemenway Gym.

The team assured itself of at least a tie for the titles with its spectacular 5-4 victory over Pennsylvania last Saturday.

National champion Peter Briggs will play in the number one slot for Harvard against Graham Arader. Briggs has recovered from the stomach troubles which almost kept him from playing in the Pennsylvania match, but he continues to be hampered by a groin pull.

Briggs should win his match, although Arader, with an 8-3 record, has been effective.

Andy Wiegand, who turned in a clutch performance against Penn, will be at number two and is counted on to win handily.

Glen Whitman at number three might have some difficulty with Yale's Bruce Maronpot. Maronpot has been sick throughout the season, compiling only a 4-7 record, but he will be in good health today, and is rated a threat.

Niel Vosters at number four, and Rob Sedgwick at five should have little trouble with their opponents Steve Sherrill and Chris White. Peter Blasier will have a closer match with Yale's Diderik Finne (8-3) at number six, while Yale's last three men are not in the same class with Dick Cashin, Archie Gwathmay, and Fred Fischer.

Crimson Coach Jack Barnaby yesterday said he was optimistic that the racquetmen would finish their regular season this afternoon without a loss, but he warned against over-confidence.

"We should beat Yale," Barnaby said, "but they're bound to be up for the match. If we go in there expecting them just to lie down and die, we could have trouble."

Barnaby characterized Yale as a "green" team. Recently, the Elis lost to Pennsylvania and Princeton, both Harvard victims, by 9-0 scores.

With a victory today, Harvard (9-0; 4-0 in the Ivy League) would win the national and Ivy League nine-man titles, and would go into this weekend's national six-man team tournament at Annapolis in a dominating position.