The only unbeaten team left in the A-League Men, leaders Melbourne Victory are prepared for reigning champions the Central Coast Mariners to attempt to hunt them down.
Victory (6-5-0) travel to face the Mariners, who are unbeaten in seven league matches and have won their past three, in a tantalising clash at Sydney's Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.
Given their unbeaten status, coach Tony Popovic expects his team to have a target on their back - and welcomes it.
"With Melbourne Victory that's the norm," Popovic told AAP on Friday.
"Since I've been here, we're always regarded as a big game. When teams come to AAMI Park we see them all lift.
"We saw Perth play very well last week. We expect Central Coast to play very well. Not just because they're playing Melbourne Victory but they're in very good form.
"They're playing good football, they're getting results.
"We anticipate everything that you get from the champions and a team that's building nicely in the season.
"That's what we expect and what we want at Melbourne Victory.
"It gives us an opportunity to raise our game. We've been doing that thus far.
"Tomorrow will be another big challenge for us."
Midfielder Jake Brimmer is available after missing last week's 3-2 win over Perth with a knock, while Popovic was confident most of his team had overcome an illness that ran through the squad in recent days.
The game will be held at Allianz Stadium as part of the A-Leagues' Unite Round, saving Victory a hostile welcome in Gosford.
"We had success against Sydney FC in round one (there)," Popovic said of Saturday's venue.
"We've got good memories of that stadium and we want to back it up and get another win.
"Hopefully we'll see a lot of people at the game. Hopefully (Unite Round) will bring the sport lovers out for the games - it's not just football people you want to entice.
"You want to entice people that are just interested in good sport. We have a good level in our code and hopefully they'll come out and watch the game, and we get some new fans.
"Because when you look at our sport, it's the most participated sport in the world, it is the world game.
"It's the best game and it's an opportunity for people to see first-hand what our product's really about."
