Round 11 of the NPLW is here and with nearly every team still in contention for the top four, who will walk away with the advantage this weekend?
Box Hill United v Preston Lions
7:30 pm, Friday 26 May, Wembley Park
Box Hill stormed back to relevance last week with a huge 3-0 win over Alamein while Preston lost to Bayside at home.
After languishing in 10th position on the NPLW ladder, A-League players Sofia Sakalis and Melinda Barbieri have made an immediate impact for Box Hill, both players scoring in their first games for the season.
The new signings have breathed new life into the Box Hill lineup, but they will face another tough test this week, facing the in-form Miri Nishimura (4 goals, 4 assists) and Georgia Henderson (1 goal) through the midfield.
Box Hill Captain Laura Pickett played an integral role in defence against Alamein and will be tasked alongside Madison Van Dooren to prevent Preston strikers Mel Camilleri (2 goals) and Rachel Stirton from having an impact on the game.
Box Hill's Asuka Doi (5 goals) will be hoping she can find some form after not being directly involved in a goal across her past three matches, after scoring in the previous five.
Preston is winless from its past five matches; can they break the duck this week or will Box Hill continue its resurgence?
Calder United v Bayside United
3:00 pm, Saturday, 27 May, Keilor Park Recreation Reserve
Calder was held to a 1-1 draw with Bulleen last week, while Bayside picked up its fourth win of the season against Preston.
Forward Kiewa Hieda has been directly involved in one goal in three of her last four appearances for Calder, creating a dangerous partnership with Larissa Walsh (2 goals), but will find it hard to get past Bayside keeper Coco Majstorovic who has had a breakout season so far.
Calder's Lucy Richards and Maia Heysen will be up against the wall this week trying to stop the in-form Kayla Deaver who scored four goals in her last five games and proved the difference last week, scoring a rocket from outside the box.
Miwa Sasaki's (4 goals) pace has also proved a headache for her opponents, while Julia Budiongo and Olivia Bomford (2 goals) can be dangerous if not closely monitored.
Bayside has the highest rate of possession in the league with Sienna Fogarty and Caitlin Storay dominating the ball through midfield. The Calder midfield is no slouch either with Isabella Sewards and Montanna Mathews enjoying career-best seasons along with American import Alexis Mitchell.
Bayside are undefeated in their past four matches and are in a great spot to overturn last season's 4-0 result against Calder at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex.
Will Bayside continue its undefeated streak or will the defending champions start their resurgence?
Heidelberg United v FV Emerging
3:30 pm, Saturday, 27 May, Olympic Village
FV Emerging fell just short of Boroondara in Round 10, while Heidelberg enjoyed the week off.
Emerging provided a spirited performance against the Eagles, but ultimately lost 3-2 to the ladder leaders.
Emilie Keppens continues to be a threat for Emerging up forward, with a brace on the weekend to bring her season tally to seven (2nd in the league).
Winger Alana Cortellino (3 goals) has impressed on the wing this season and has directly been involved in seven goals in her last seven games, scoring three goals and making four assists.
Conversely, Heidelberg captain Steph Galea (6 goals) is at her consistent best this season, while Georgia Beaumont will be full of confidence after scoring a hat-trick in Round 9.
Melbourne City youngster Keira Meyers will suit up for her second game in Emerging colours this week and will look to make an impact alongside Ehva Gutszmit and Anika Dovaston. The young brigade come up against a hardened Heidelberg United led by in-form Nicole Blackett (4 goals for the season).
Heidelberg United defeated FV Emerging late last season but with completely new squads, can the young stars switch the script and hand the Bergers their second defeat in 13 matches at home?
Southern United v Bulleen Lions
5:45 pm, Saturday, 27 May, Selandra Recreation Reserve
Bulleen drew with Calder last weekend, while Southern United succumbed to its eighth loss of the season against South Melbourne.
The Lions rank second-last for goals so far this season but with Maja Markosksi and Alana Jancesvski coming into the senior side, forward firepower won't be a problem anymore.
Bulleen's high-calibre inclusions would be a worrying sign for Southern who have the worst defensive record in the league, but they have signed experienced campaigner Rachel Binnon who will provide a steady head for the struggling side.
Yuka Sato has enjoyed a terrific season for Southern, however, she will be in for a tough time this week in the midfield alongside Izzy Coppell as they come up against Paige Zois, Alana Burn and Caitlin O'Bryan.
Will it be business as usual for the Lions or can Southern pull off an almighty upset?
South Melbourne v Boroondara Eagles
1:30 pm, Sunday, 28 May, Lakeside Stadium
South Melbourne eased past Southern United, while Boroondara survived a scare from FV Emerging in Round 10.
This match is set to be an interesting contrast in game plans, with the best-attacking team coming up against the equal best defensive team in the league.
Boroondara's Kurea Okino has been unstoppable in the first half of the season, with 14 goals, while Brisbane Roar midfielder Margot Robinne has appeared equally as dangerous, scoring four goals in her first two games.
South Melbourne will be confident they have the arsenal to contain the Eagles' forwards, with star international Brianne Reed having a phenomenal season, while fellow full-back Leia Varley will be equally hard to get past.
South midfielder Janna Lawson has scored five goals across her last seven starts in the NPLW, forming a formidable midfield with Dragana Kljajic and recent signee Francesca Iermano. The talented trio will match up against Kristina Hall, Becky Lim, and Ellen Turner in a massive test for the Eagles' mids.
Reigning NPLW Golden Boot winner Danielle Wise is starting to hit her straps, scoring her fifth for the season on the weekend. She has been supported by winger New Zealand winger Tayla Christensen who has been a consistent performer so far with four goals to her name.
The Eagles' defence of Hayley Guerts and Cassie Carman will hold their own against the star-studded South forward line with Round 10 Team of the Week goalkeeper Mia Mossman behind them in goals.
Boroondara will be confident of their chances this week with South Melbourne winning only two of their last eight NPLW games at Lakeside Stadium, conceding at least one goal in each of those eight games.
Can Okino and Robinne strike power prove too much for South to handle or will defence prove the best offence in the top-of-the-table clash?