Melbourne Victory head to Brisbane understrength but have vowed to make Sydney FC earn their A-League premiership.
Anything less than three points for Kevin Muscat's side on Saturday night will see the Sky Blues crowned this season's premiers.
But it shapes as a tough ask for Victory, who have been hit by another unavailability for the crunch match.
Muscat will be without four internationals -- Besart Berisha, James Troisi, Marco Rojas and Jai Ingham -- as well as the recently departed Oliver Bozanic for the clash against the Roar.
Now, long-serving midfielder Rashid Mahazi has been added to that list for personal reasons.
The missing senior players open the door for youngsters, led by 17-year-old Christian Theoharous, to make their mark.
Muscat guaranteed Theoharous would make his A-League debut in Brisbane, with Josh Hope, 19, and defender Cameron McGilp, 19, joining their fellow teenager in the squad.
"I'm excited by their opportunity. They've waited a while and now we can unleash them," Muscat said.
"The squad is thin this week but they've brought a lot of energy, these guys ... a serious opportunity to be involved has put a spring in their step and that's dragged all the other boys with them.
"We're going to be proactive and try and win a game of football."
Only Fahid Ben Khalfallah remains from Muscat's first-choice starting attacking four, with the scorers of 37 of the club's 48 goals this season missing.
Muscat said that didn't translate to extra burden placed on Ben Khalfallah, who will be joined by Mitch Austin and young attacker George Howard in the forward line.
"Fahid won't be expected to do any more than he's done in previous weeks," Muscat said.
"Maybe take on a bit more of a leadership role ... be a bit more vocal.
"[Austin and Howard] get their opportunity and the way they've worked in the last two weeks, the evidence has been they want to take that opportunity."
Brisbane have their own availability issues, both on the pitch and off.
Assistant Ross Aloisi won't be sighted on the touchline after he was handed a four-match ban for his role in an ugly altercation from last week's match in Adelaide, while football boss Craig Moore has been ordered to stay away for one week.
Michael Theo's red card will see the gloves transferred to long-serving lieutenant Jamie Young.
Matt McKay will also miss the rest of the regular season with a knee issue, but senior players Luke DeVere and Thomas Broich return as the Roar look for a result to help secure a home final.