After fending off some of its serious championship contenders in recent weeks, Strathdale can’t afford to take Shepparton lightly at Beischer Park on Sunday.

Shepparton is seventh on the ladder, but it was competitive in narrow defeats to Shepparton South and Tatura and gave Eaglehawk a scare last week.

Shepparton’s biggest challenge will be finding a way to crack the Blues’ defence.

Undefeated in six games, Strathdale hasn’t conceded a goal since its 5-1 win over Moama-Echuca in round two.

Second-placed Eaglehawk has the opportunity to put a space between it and fourth-placed Tatura when the two sides meet at Truscott Reserve on Sunday.

Eaglehawk is three points ahead of the inconsistent Tatura on the ladder.

After conceding eight goals in its past three games, Tatura will need to tighten up its defence if it’s to take some points off the Borough.

Third-placed Shepparton South is on the road against Colts United, while fifth-placed Shepparton United is at home to Spring Gully.

In the final game of the round, battling clubs Epsom and Moama-Echuca meet at Epsom-Huntly Recreation Reserve.

Epsom needs three points to keep its slim hopes of making the finals alive.

In the women’s championship, the top teams should continue their dominance.

Shepparton South, Shepparton United and Eaglehawk head the ladder with 18 points each, with Epsom and Colts United fourth and fifth respectively on 15 points.

Colts United has won its past two matches, but taking on Shepparton South is a big step up in class.

Shepparton South has scored a league-high 49 goals this season and only conceded seven.

Second-placed Shepparton United should win its sixth-straight match when it plays Spring Gully United.

Eaglehawk has won its past two matches in good style and it will have too much class and depth for Tatura.

Epsom is in danger of losing touch with the top three.

The Scorpions host Moama-Echuca on Sunday and anything less than three points will make it hard for Epsom to win the championship.

After upstaging Epsom last week to record its first victory of the season, Swan Hill has the chance to win two-straight matches when it takes on fellow battler Golden City.

A Swan Hill win would result in Golden City slipping to bottom of the ladder.