TOP spot on the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League men's championship will be up for grabs when Strathdale and Epsom clash this weekend.
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The Saturday fixture at Beischer No. 1 pits two of the competition's powerhouses.
Strathdale enters the 3pm game atop the championship ladder with a perfect four wins from four games.
Epsom is also undefeated, but had to settle for a draw last round against a dogged Spring Gully United.
Strathdale did not have things all its on way either in a 1-0 win against Colts United.
The Blues had to wait until the 84th minute for Daniel Maierhofler to slot the game's only goal.
It will be the Blues and Scorpions' first clash this season, after they were not drawn to play in the pre-season Inter-league Cup, won by Epsom.
The Blues are not the league's freest scoring team, but their defence is arguably the most frugal, conceding just three goals in four games.
They will fancy their chances if another tight defensive struggle ensues.
In other games to be played Sunday, Colts United meet Eaglehawk at Strathfieldsaye and Spring Gully United hosted Moama-Echuca at Stanley Avenue.
Eaglehawk returned for the bye with a vengeance, defeating Golden City 5-1, with Nathan Hamblin scoring two goals.
Depending on results, a win could catapult the Hawks into second place.
Apart from 0-4 loss to Spring Gully, Colts United have played good football and look more than capable of an upset.
Spring Gully should be too strong for the Border Raiders.
In women's championship, Epsom puts its unbeaten record on the line against third-placed Strathdale.
The Scorpions posted their fifth straight win last week, accounting for Spring Gully United 7-1.
Tara Thomas continued her productive season with four goals, boosting her season tally to 15.
Caitlin Robertson also booted two and has seven for the season.
The Scorpions have scored a massive 49 goals, opposed to only nine conceded.
They come up against a prudent Strathdale, which has given up a league-best eight goals, while scoring 22.
Skipper Rachel Oper was the lone scorer in a 1-all draw against Colts United, which faces Eaglehawk.
The Hawks got a much needed win and goal boost against Golden City in a 16-0 triumph last round, but will find things much tougher against the Colts.
In other games, Spring Gully United hosts Moama-Echuca at Stanley Avenue, and Golden City takes on Swan Hill in a battle of the league's two winless teams.
