NPLM fans were treated to a goal fest last week and will be hoping for more of the same.
With the table now well and truly taking shape, there is plenty on the line heading into Round 10.
Heidelberg United v North Geelong Warriors
7:30 pm, Friday 21 April, Olympic Village
How will the Bergers respond against a North Geelong side who is also desperate for three points?
Heidelberg felt the wrath of the league leaders in Round 9. After scoring the first goal of the match Heidelberg collapsed at Avenger Park, succumbing to an 8-2 defeat. Frustrations boiled over during the game with seven players receiving yellow cards during the loss.
At times this season the Bergers have played some attractive football but the gap between the side's best and worst needs to be bridged if they are to propel themselves up the league table.
With respect to their opponents, a home matchup against the NPL's bottom side North Geelong is the perfect opportunity to bounce back - but the Warriors will undoubtedly have other ideas.
After starting the season well, North Geelong have recorded eight successive losses, conceding an equal league high of 28 goals.
Despite the doom and gloom, Tomi Gavran does have time on his side to work things out and there were positives to take out of the side's 2-1 defeat against the Thunder.
Aden Gardner put in another solid performance, scoring the side's only goal while Marvin Brauweiller also performed admirably in the midfield.
North Geelong head into the match at the foot of the table (equal on points with Bentleigh) and will be desperate to capture some momentum to re-ignite their season. Whatever the outcome, fans can expect fireworks with a vital three points is at stake for either side.
Oakleigh Cannons v Altona Magic
8:30 pm, Saturday, 21 April, Jack Edwards Reserve
Can Oakleigh bridge the gap to the top two?
Oakleigh remains in the top three of the NPLM, following an impressive 3-2 victory over Port Melbourne. Stefan Valentini has found his form and tormented the Sharks throughout the match, scoring two goals while Joe Guest and Cam McGilp were once again superb in the midfield.
The Cannons have an even spread of goal scorers so far this season, making them a huge challenge to contain. Oakleigh has six players who have scored multiple goals this season, only behind Avondale with seven.
The reigning champs are once again looking a complete side and appear well-poised for another assault on the NPLM Championship. The Cannons will be well-tested though this week, with the Altona Magic heading to Jack Edwards.
The Magic catapulted themselves into the top six last week with a clinical 5-1 victory over St Albans, earning a third win on the trot.
Cian Cuba was the Magic's best, earning a place in the TOTW, while Tommy Semmy once again excited the crowd, creating havoc and finding the back of the net.
Thomas Woerndl was a general in defence, while Charlie Leech had an influence in the midfield. After a couple of quiet games, Jonas Markovski was also able to get on the scoresheet again, adding to his impressive start to the season.
With both teams in red-hot form, all eyes will be on Jack Edwards for this clash.
Oakleigh Cannons celebrating a goal against Port Melbourne in Round 9.
Avondale v St Albans Saints
3:00 pm, Saturday, 22 April, Avenger Park
Can the Saints hand the Avengers their first loss?
In Round 3 last season the Saints travelled to Avenger Park as heavy underdogs, but after 90 minutes an Ivan Razumic strike and resolute defending was enough to lead to a famous 1-0 win. Can St Albans once again shock the league?
Avondale extended its unbeaten run to nine with an emphatic win on the road last week against Heidelberg. After giving up the early lead, the Avengers were unstoppable, scoring an astonishing eight goals.
Many Aguek had a day out, scoring a hat-trick and adding to his incredible run of form in both cup and league recently.
Another star of the show was Kristian Trajceski who continued his stand-out season. The midfielder has been a shining light in the NPL Victoria so far and capped his performance with a perfectly executed free kick from outside the box.
Stefan Zinni was at his exciting best, with two goals, while Yousef Ahmed also had a great game, scoring in the 34th minute.
The Avengers have been running rampant in 2023, scoring 36 times in only nine matches.
The Saints have certainly proved hard to beat this year with four draws, but with only one win they find themselves flirting with the relegation zone.
A rough loss to the Magic last week isn't ideal preparation and the Saints will be looking to their leaders like Joey Monek, Brian Summerskill and Chris Dib to steady the ship.
Striker George Ott started the season on fire and has scored 5 of the Club's 11 goals this campaign, form would suggest he will have to be at his best to trouble the stingy Avondale defence.
Hume City v Bentleigh Greens
6:30 pm, Saturday, 22 April, Hume City Stadium
Can Hume continue its impressive run, or will Bentleigh
Wins against Moreland and Green Gully sandwiching a draw against South Melbourne has Hume City well placed in 2023. Sitting seventh, Hume will firmly have their eyes on a top-six finish.
The team is purring at the moment - Mark Ochieng was voted the best-on-ground in last week's victory over Gully, earning a TOTW nomination while Dylan McGlade's fine finish was crowned goal of the week. Hayden Tennant has impressed while the dangerous Jawed Rezai has provided plenty of spark.
A negative for side is that Ben Bowler will be forced out of this weekend's match after picking up a straight red card last week.
Bentleigh was handed its eight loss of the campaign in Round 9, falling to South Melbourne 1-0.
Head Coach Riccardo Marchioli would have taken plenty of positives out of the performance though and does have time on his side to resurrect Bentleigh's season.
Having only scored seven goals so far in 2023 the Greens main issue appears to be firepower. The stat is even more alarming when you consider four of those seven goals were scored in one match - the side's only win (4-1 against St Albans).
Scott Hilliar, Mario Barcia and Ben Carrigan have all led the way for the Greens, while fans would have been encouraged by Tom Strickland, who registered five shots on target last week.
With both Clubs in vastly different predicaments, the gun-shy Greens will need to find their scoring touch to trouble City and leave Broadmeadows with three points.
Hume City captain Harry Monaghan against Green Gully in Round 9. Picture Teyfik & BRG Creative.
Dandenong Thunder v Moreland City
7:15 pm, Saturday, 22 April, George Andrews Reserve
Stuck in the midtable, will either side made a leap into finals contention?
Dandenong rediscovered some form against North Geelong last week, defeating the Warriors 2-1 on the road.
Forward Leo Mazis was crucial to the Thunder's victory, scoring an early goal and looking lively all game, earning a TOTW nomination.
Geoffry Lino was also too much to handle for the Warriors' defence, scoring a first-half goal while midfielder Harley Orr controlled the game with great passing throughout the match.
The Thunder will be without keeper Majak Mawith after he was shown a straight red card late in last week's clash.
After an impressive start to the season, Moreland City needs to tighten up to avoid sliding towards the relegation zone.
Moreland have been scoring freely in recent weeks but conceding heavily. While this makes for highly entertaining football for neutrals, the coaching staff will be concerned.
Four against the Knights, six against Green Gully and five against Hume City means City have shipped 15 goals in three games. Moreland now have the equal worst defensive record in the league.
With both teams desperate to propel themselves from midtable, this promises to be an entertaining affair.
Melbourne Knights v Green Gully
7:30 pm, Monday, 24 April, Knights Stadium
Who will win the battle for fourth spot?
The Knights continued their strong run of form with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Moreland City.
After giving up the early lead, the Knights hit back, scoring four unanswered goals to record their second win in a row. Forward Gian Albano was terrific, scoring a brace, and was named in the TOTW. Corey Sewell controlled the midfield and Ivan Franjic was once again showcased his leadership.
Knights Stadium has become a fortress again this season, with the side yet to lose on home soil.
Opponents Green Gully will be eager to bounce back after a tough loss to Hume City, which broke a positive stretch of games.
25 goals in nine matches makes the visitors the league's second most potent team with Waring (7) and Hope (5) leading the charge.
Can Green Gully be the first to leave Somers St with three points?
South Melbourne v Port Melbourne
7:30 pm, Monday, 24 April, Lakeside Stadium
Can the Sharks penetrate the league's stingiest defence?
South Melbourne cemented its place in the top two with a one-goal victory over the Bentleigh Greens last week.
After scoring the winning goal in the Grand Final rematch two weeks prior, midfielder Josh Wallen was back again, scoring from a set-piece to hand his side the three points.
Esteban Quintas will be thrilled with his team's defensive efforts this season - only five goals conceded is an incredible feat.
The main area of improvement for South remains in attack. Last year's grand finalists have only scored 11 times in nine matches in 2023, an incredible statistic given their lofty league position.
Fans will be looking for more in the final third. With names like Riak, Mikkola, and Webb in the squad to complement creative midfielders Marcus Schroen and Ali Sulemani, South certainly have the potential to find the cutting edge that has been missing.
With three wins, three draws and three losses, Port Melbourne sit in an interesting position heading into the matchup. Sitting in eighth, the side has performed better than its midtable position suggests and will feel capable of taking points away from Lakeside.
Most of Port Melbourne's defeats have been by narrow margins this season and with a little more luck the Sharks could find themselves surging into finals contention.
Dor Jok's brace gave Oakleigh a late scare in last week's 3-2 loss against Oakleigh. George Mells was the Sharks' best through the midfield, while Jackson Courtney-Perkins also had a solid game.
Both sides reached the business end of the season in 2022 and once again look well poised for another strong season. Taking place on Monday the match-up appears an excellent contest to round out the weekend's action.