The penultimate round of the Australian Championship group stage is here, as several teams have the opportunity to secure their place in the Quarter-Finals in Round 5.
There are plenty of exciting clashes across the weekend, so read on for everything you need to know.
Sydney United v Wests APIA
Date: Friday 7 November
Kick-off: 7:35 pm (AEDT)
Venue: Sydney United Sports Centre
Round 5 gets underway with an all-NSW clash as Sydney United welcome Wests APIA.
United suffered another defeat in Round 4, going down 3-2 to Bayswater City.
There were some positive signs for the side, showing plenty of fightback despite being 3-0 down and with a player disadvantage early in the second half. Goals from Kyle Cimenti and Aiden Milicevic got United 58 just one behind, but a desperate late final push could not get them level.
The result sees United 58 remain at the foot of Group D, with just one point from four matches, six away from APIA in second.
Wests APIA battled from a goal down to draw with MetroStars in the last round, keeping them in second spot in the group. The side fell behind late in the first half, before Dredon Kelly equalised deep into second-half stoppage, with his second goal of the Australian Championship.
Despite a two-game winless run for Franco Parisi’s team, three points this weekend would all but secure them a Quarter-Finals spot.
The side will be without creative hub Dom Costanzo, following his red card against MetroStars. Costanzo’s delivery provided the assist for Kelly’s equaliser.
APIA’s ruthless first half against United 58 back in Round 2 was the last time the NPL Champions won in this competition.
A win is vital for these teams, and with both on winless runs, a postive result on Friday could be the boost they need to push on in the Championship.
Sydney Olympic v Moreton City Excelsior
Date: Saturday 8 November
Kick-off: 1:00 pm (AEDT)
Venue: Jubilee Stadium
Sydney Olympic will look to re-ignite their Quarter-Finals aspirations when they host Moreton City Excelsior in the early kick-off on Saturday.
Olympic failed to capitalise on their first win of the season as they lost in heartbreaking fashion to South Melbourne.
The side were leading up until the 83rd minute, before two goals, including a 93rd-minute winner, saw Olympic drop to third in Group A.
Labinot Haliti’s team sit three points outside the top two, with second place currently occupied by their opponents this weekend.
Ali Auglah continues to be the talisman of this Olympic team, having scored in each of their four matches this campaign.
Moreton City responded to their tough run in the competition with a commanding victory against Broadmeadow Magic.
The side had the perfect response to conceding early against Magic as Joseph Scott and Keitatsu Kojima put them up at the break. Seita Murai’s goal soon after half-time, followed by an Andy Pengelly brace, finished off the contest.
Up to second place, Moreton City could go a long way to securing a Quarter-Finals spot if they win on Saturday.
Both teams require the points on Saturday if they are to secure a spot in the knockout rounds.
South Melbourne v Broadmeadow Magic
Date: Saturday 8 November
Kick-off: 3:15 pm (AEDT)
Venue: Lakeside Stadium
South Melbourne will look to extend their perfect record in the Championship in the late kick-off on Saturday when they host Broadmeadow Magic.
Hellas secured their fourth consecutive win, clinching a place in the Quarter-Finals last weekend. The side came back from a goal down to beat Sydney Olympic 2-1.
Jordan Lampard scored his second goal of the Championship to equalise with seven regular minutes to play, before Bilal Habib scored deep into stoppage time and won the points for South Melbourne.
South Melbourne were the first team to qualify for the Quarter-Finals, and three points this Saturday would guarantee them a first-place finish.
Magic were on the wrong end of a big score line in Round 4, losing 5-1 to Moreton City Excelsior.
Jarred Baker gave Moreton City an early lead with his second goal of the campaign, but a free-scoring Moreton City team responded with five unanswered goals.
While Magic have demonstrated goal-scoring quality across their matches, they have conceded the equal second-most goals of any team in the competition.
The last time these teams met, South Melbourne edged out Magic 1-0, courtesy of Yuki Uchida’s goal before half-time.
A win for Magic would put them on six points, which could see them go level on points with second, if results go their way.
While South Melbourne have already qualified, they will want to keep their strong momentum going heading into the Quarter-Finals, but Magic need the points to stay in the hunt for knockout football.
South Hobart v Marconi Stallions
Date: Sunday 9 November
Kick-off: 1:00 pm
Venue: South Hobart Oval
Marconi travel to South Hobart on Sunday, with an opportunity to take first place in Group B if results go their way.
The Stallions extended their unbeaten run to three matches, sharing the points with Heidelberg United in a 1-1 draw.
The side hit the front after the hour mark when Harry van der Saag sent a superb header looping into the goal, before Heidelberg restored parity soon after.
While the point keeps the Stallions within a win of Heidelberg, Wollongong’s win over South Hobart means they are just a point behind Marconi.
This means that the Quarter-Final places are still undecided between the top three teams heading into the final two rounds.
South Hobart are no longer able to make the knockout rounds, with their maximum points of six insufficient to overtake Marconi in second.
The NPL Tasmania Premiers went down in a tight battle against Wollongong in Round 4, losing 3-2.
They overcame a two-goal deficit as Nicholas Morton and Harrison Oates sent the side into the sheds level, but they conceded again in the second half to see the points slip away.
While South Hobart cannot progress in the competition, they finish their campaign with back-to-back home matches, which could offer some momentum.
After scoring only once in their opening two matches, the team have now scored three in their last two.
South Hobart will hope to make their home ground a fortress in their final two matches, with Marconi needing the points to maintain their Quarter-Finals push.
Preston Lions v Canberra Croatia
Date: Sunday 9 November
Kick-off: 1:00 pm
Venue: Genis Steel Stadium
Preston Lions host Canberra Croatia as they target a Quarter-Finals spot in the tightest Australian Championship group.
Preston pushed into second spot in Group C, claiming their first win of the tournament against NWS Spirit.
Jason Romero was the difference-maker for Lions, bagging a first-half brace that gave the team a solid buffer at the break. The former Macarthur forward now has three goals in the competition.
In the first half, Preston Lions player Luc Jeggo suffered a serious leg injury. Everyone at Football Australia wishes Luc a speedy recovery.
Brandon Lauton grabbed a third goal for Lions despite relentless pressure from Spirit. The NPL NSW Premiers eventually got on the score sheet in stoppage time.
This was a much-needed win for Preston as it puts a Quarter-Finals place in their hands.
Canberra Croatia need the points this weekend if they are to stay in the hunt for knockout football, currently sitting at the foot of the group.
The side were soundly beaten in Round 4 by the high-scoring Avondale, who put four goals on them by the 53rd minute.
Keegan Vucetic grabbed a late consolation as Croatia remain two points away from a Quarter-Finals spot.
A win for Croatia would take them ahead of Preston in second, while Avondale taking the points would likely guarantee their place in the next phase.
Heidelberg United v Wollongong Wolves
Date: Sunday 9 November
Kick-off: 1:00 pm
Venue: Olympic Park
Heidelberg’s perfect start to the competition was halted in Round 4, as they drew with Marconi.
The side quickly equalised after conceding in the second half, but faced a tough test from the Stallions, with goalkeeper Yaren Sozer called into action several times.
Sozer has contributed to the Hahn Australia Cup Finalists having the equal-best defensive record in the Championship.
United are currently top of the group, but third-placed Wollongong are only four points behind. Three points this Sunday would guarantee Heidelberg a spot in the Quarter-Finals.
Wollongong secured a desperately-needed three points as they beat South Hobart 3-2.
Flynn Madden and Lachlan Scott put the Wolves up swiftly, but two goals before the break levelled the scores at halftime.
Scott nodded home the winner in the second half, to lift Wollongong to a point away from a top-two spot in Group B.
Scott’s brace highlights the striker as a crucial scoring asset for Wollongong, especially with the ongoing absence of striker Thomas James due to suspension.
Last time around, Wollongong were left frustrated by a clinical display from Heidelberg as they lost 3-0.
These three points will shape the complexion of the group, meaning it's all to play for in Melbourne on Sunday.
MetroStars v Bayswater City
Date: Sunday 9 November
Kick-off: 4:30 pm
Venue: T K Shutter Reserve
The two furthest geographically west teams of the Championship are in action in one of two late kick-offs on Sunday.
MetroStars saw two points snatched from them in Round 4, as APIA found an equaliser in stoppage time.
Michael Cittadini opened the scoring for MetroStars, making it goals in back-to-back games in the 1-1 draw.
The side remain three points away from APIA in second, and six away from Bayswater City in first position in Group D.
After two defeats to start the Championship, the South Australian Premiers are unbeaten in their last two, and could still sneak into the Quarter-Finals if results go their way.
Bayswater City extended their lead at the top of the group with a 3-2 win over Sydney United 58.
After flying into a three-goal advantage by the hour mark, a late resurgence from their opponents almost saw two points slip away.
Gyles Davies, Chris Jackson and Luke Palmateer got the goals as City kept their unbeaten run in the Championship going.
Last time around, Davies proved the difference for Bayswater with this solitary goal enough to see the side past MetroStars in Round 2.
A win on Sunday would confirm their place in the Quarter-Finals, while MetroStars needs the points to stay in the hunt for the knockout stage.
Avondale v NWS Spirit
Date: Sunday 9 November
Kick-off: 4:30 pm
Venue: Avenger Park
Two teams who produced an early Australian Championship classic will do battle again on Sunday.
The last time these sides met, it was a thrilling encounter that could have gone either way, ending in a 3-3 draw.
Avondale’s two-goal buffer was quickly wiped out by Spirit as three unanswered goals put them into the lead heading into stoppage. The latest of equalisers salvaged a point for the Victorian Premiers.
Despite putting Preston Lions under significant pressure in Round 4, Spirit lost 3-1, with Simon Nicholas’ super goal a mere consolation.
The result drops the side down to third position in Group C on goal difference, but a win on Sunday would take them level with Avondale in first.
Avondale got back to winning ways in Round 4, with a comprehensive 4-1 result against Canberra Croatia.
Bruno Fornaroli continued his scoring ways before Luca Tevere quickly doubled Avondale’s advantage.
Cian Cuba notched a swift brace after halftime, which finished off the tie and sent Avondale three points clear at the top of the group.
There will be ample attacking talent on show on Sunday to provide another exhilarating contest in a tight group of the Championship.