High-tempo attack will battle defensive solidity when the Newcastle Jets trek to Ballarat to take on Western United in Saturday's A-League Men encounter.
United boast the league's best defensive record but the Jets rarely play a game that doesn't feature goals, with all but one of their 12 matches this season featuring at least three goals.
With both sides benefiting from a standard week-long break between matches, United coach John Aloisi predicted a high-quality game.
"We know there's going to be another hard game against a good side that play a high tempo style of football," he said.
"They're a good side, they play quick football, they play hard and with the intensity very high.
"You have to be switched on all the time, you can't afford to be asleep at any moment because then they'll break on you."
But United ride a club record seven-game unbeaten streak in and would top the league should they win their two games in hand on top-ranked Melbourne City.
But Aloisi said looking too far ahead could get his team in trouble.
"We're happy with the way it's going, of course we're happy with the position we're in, but we know that we we want to keep on building and keep on improving and keep on picking up results," he said.
"Come round 25, then we'll have a look and see where we're at."
While Newcastle sit eighth on the table, they have a number of games in hand on higher-ranked opponents and could rocket up the table if they string wins together.
"The month was hectic to say the least after a period of inactivity ... the week is good for us to get back on the training track and train as a group," Jets coach Arthur Papas said.
"It's an opportunity, contrasting styles, best defensive record in the league and they pride themselves on that defensive solidity ... on the flipside we're a team that likes to go forward and attack."
The Jets signed former Olyroos captain Brandon Wilson this week, but Papas said it was unlikely the midfielder would feature on Saturday as he gets used to Newcastle's high-intensity style.
Connor Pain and Alessandro Diamanti remain missing with injuries for United.
