Traditional rivals Spring Gully and Strathdale clash in a crucial Bendigo Amateur Soccer League contest on Sunday.
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Fourth-placed Strathdale (23 points) is locked in a tight battle with Shepparton United (25), Epso, (21) and Tatura (21) for the final two places in the BASL play-offs.
The Blues still have to play top two teams Eaglehawk and Shepparton South and Epsom and Tatura in the final seven rounds of the season, so they can’t afford to drop any points to Spring Gully.
The Blues and Reds played out an entertaining 2-2 draw when they met earlier this season.
The Reds hit the front twice, but Strathdale had the last laugh with an 84rd minute equaliser.
Spring Gully’s best form is good enough to be competitive with the top teams. The Reds have had draws with Shepparton South and Strathdale and were unlucky not to steal a point from Epsom three weeks ago.
Strathdale’s depth across the pitch might be the difference in the end.
Tatura faces one of its biggest test of the year when it hosts Shepparton South on Sunday.
Shepparton South’s only defeat since round two was a 4-3 loss to Eaglehawk one month ago.
Shepparton South responded well to pressure against Shepparton and Epsom in the past two weeks and is clearly the biggest threat to Eaglehawk winning back-to-back BASL titles.
Eaglehawk’s trip to Moama to play the Border Raiders is all about the winning margin.
The Hawks put 18 goals past the undermanned Raiders in round 4.
Golden City has the opportunity to grab its fifth win of the season when it plays seventh-placed Shepparton in Shepparton.
In the final game of the round, third-placed Shepparton United will be too classy for Colts United.
The highlight of the women’s championship is the game between third-placed Moama-Echuca and fourth-placed Eaglehawk.
The Raiders and Hawks are locked on 19 points, one point clear of fifth-placed Shepparton South.
Moama has won five of its past six matches to launch itself into finals contention.
Top side Shepparton United faces a danger game against Colts United, while second-placed Epsom will be looking for a double-digit win when it hosts bottom side Swan Hill.
The Scorpions trail Shepparton United by one win and nine goals on goal difference, but they have a game in hand.
Golden City and Shepparton South have the bye in the women’s division.
