To wrestle back derby bragging rights, Western Sydney defender Alex Gersbach knows he'll have to keep rival superstar Joe Lolley on a short leash.
Sydney FC's in-form Englishman winger has enjoyed an impressive start to the season, scoring four goals and making two assists - the most out of any player in A-League Men.
Lolley had pulled the strings in league-leaders Sydney's 3-0 dismantling of rivals Melbourne Victory last Saturday, scoring two stunning goals before Alex Grant added the exclamation mark for victory.
With another chapter of the bitter Sydney derby slated for Saturday night at CommBank Stadium, left-back Gersbach knows the job to contain Lolley will fall to him by coach Alen Stajcic.
Western Sydney are also unlikely to regain Brandon Borrello (hamstring), with Stajcic labelling the star midfielder as a "50-50" chance.
"I've thought about it, and Staj has probably thought about it too," Gersbach said.
"He's (Lolley) the in-form player in the competition at the moment and there's no hiding from that.
"I'm going to have to have a really big performance defensively to help the team, and I'll be ready for that."
Gersbach is poised to play in his first Sydney derby since joining the Wanderers earlier this year, having been left on the bench in last season's round-18 draw.
It is also the first time the 28-year-old faces his former Sky Blues side, having played 34 games for the rival club from 2014 to 2016.
Gersbach and teammate Kosta Barbarouses will also become the latest players to have featured in a Sydney derby for both sides.
Milos Ninkovic and Andrew Redmayne headline the current group of nine players who did that.
But the defender says the derby represents more than bragging rights, with the Wanderers looking to continue momentum after breaking through for their first win of the season.
Western Sydney sit ninth (1-2-2) on the table and had held on for a tense 3-2 win over the Mariners last round.
Meanwhile, Sydney (4-0-1) are eyeing five consecutive wins.
"I don't think anything matters coming into a game like this, really, form doesn't matter," Stajcic said.
"There's enough riding on it as it is, so we know it's almost like grand finals. Anything can happen.
"We're one of the top teams in the league, I've said that from the outset, but ultimately they're just words.
"You have to back that up with playing like that and capitalising on it with results as well."
Pressure, meanwhile, is piling on Melbourne Victory coach Arthur Diles whose team has won just one from five in the league so far.
Melbourne have netted just four goals this season, despite possessing attacking threats in Juan Mata and Matt Grimaldi.
But Diles will be hoping Socceroo Nishan Velupillay can help the side overcome their poor start, confirming he will return from a hamstring injury when Victory meet the Brisbane Roar on Friday.
Elsewhere, the Wellington Phoenix will play Adelaide United on Saturday with the Reds chasing third consecutive win for the first time since January.
Melbourne City will take on the Central Coast Mariners later on Saturday before Auckland host the Newcastle Jets.
Macarthur finish round six by hosting Perth Glory.
