Coach Dario Vidosic is warning Melbourne City not to underestimate an Adelaide United side that he says will be "very desperate" to get its A-League Women campaign back on track on Sunday.
With the regular season past its halfway point, the Reds find themselves five points adrift of the top four and winless from their last five games.
Their heftiest defeat in that time came against City in the sides' last meeting, when they were left to rue two goals in second-half stoppage time that blew the scoreline out to 3-0.
Pending other results, Adelaide could fall as low as seventh by the end of the weekend if they are unable to recapture the good form showcased at the start of the season.
But second-placed City are wary of underestimating opponents down on their luck.
"They haven't won a game in quite a while so they'll be very, very desperate," Vidosic told reporters.
"We beat them 3-0 last time at their ground, so there probably won't be many that will give them a chance.
"They come in with nothing to lose and really they have everything to gain because they probably need a result to keep in touch with the top four.
"So we know it's going to be a tough game."
Young Matildas goalkeeper Sally James will be available for selection after recovering from the finger injury that ruled her out of City's last two matches.
James has trained at full strength this week and looks set to replace veteran Melissa Barbieri in goals.
"She's ready for the weekend," Vidosic said of James.
If City win and Canberra United defeat or draw with ladder-leading Western United, Vidosic's side will jump into top spot on the ladder.
But Vidosic said City weren't concerned with the results of other clashes.
"Our biggest focus is ourselves and if we win all our games, then that gives us a great chance to finish where we want to be and that's in top spot," Vidosic said.
