Adelaide United have the confidence but Melbourne City believe they've got the firepower to bring their record A-League run to a halt.
City head to a wet Adelaide on Friday night, hoping to end United's unbeaten 14-game A-League run.
With key duo Bruno Fornaroli and Aaron Mooy in the side, City are always a chance but in South Australia they'll have to do it without Anthony Caceres, who has been sidelined with a quad complaint.
Coach John van 't Schip reported the injury on Thursday, saying the extent of his quad issue was yet to be confirmed.
"He has a little tear [or] strain. He's going to be available maybe again next week but that's something that we have to wait (to find out)," the Melbourne City coach said.
"Maybe it has consequences for other kind of things. We have to fit somebody else in for him."
Paulo Retre is a like-for-like replacement but a tactical reshuffle could bring in Michael Zullo, Nick Fitzgerald or fit-again centre-back Connor Chapman.
City and United both have the chance to define the other's campaign.
With five matches left, the teams meet on Friday night and again on the last weekend of the season.
Two wins from either side would surely see them jump above the other, and most likely secure a top-two position.
Given the oft-quoted statistic of sides outside the top two never having claimed a championship, the rivalry could be decisive.
Van 't Schip said it was a challenge his side was embracing.
"We love to go for the challenge and to play this game, that's what it's all about," he said.
"We can do some damage. We certainly think we have a chance and we can give them a hard time."