The Suns have played well and truly above expectation this season in their first campaign in the top-flight and this clash against the White Eagles presents Mile Todoroski's men with the chance to surpass Bonnyrigg on the League ladder and move into fourth-spot. The Suns main route to goal has arrived via the feet of Marino Musumeci and Sam Awad - both players on the scorer's list last weekend against South Coast Wolves.

The White Eagles enter this clash on the back of two disappointing results and in the need of points to keep pace with the top-three sides. Coach Brian Brown was left disappointed following the disjointed second-half performance against Manly United FC last weekend, and will need his big name players Daniel Severino, Brad Boardman and Jamie McMaster to resurface on Sunday. In goal, Ali Akbal will get the start following first-choice goalkeeper Phillip Zabaks' sickening head injury last weekend. The White Eagles' goalkeeper remains in the thoughts and prayers of all Football NSW players, staff, media and supporters alike for a quick recovery.

At Cromer Park, Manly United FC will be hoping to build on the promising performance against the White Eagles last weekend where Phil Moss' side played with total heart in a second-half performance that warranted more than just a share of the spoils. Youngsters Jimmy Oates and Joseph Gibbs have much to offer the squad as they continue to develop into fine footballers, meanwhile the experienced players - especially in the attacking part of the field - will need to be on song against the Stallions.

Marconi were held at home against Blacktown City FC in Round 8, a fine result considering the lengthy list of injuries, suspensions and overall disruptions coach Lee Sterrey has had to endure thus far in 2010. Built with a strong defensive line, and protected by an in-form James Chronopoulos in goal, the Stallions can attack Manly United with full confidence on Sunday. The signing of youngster Jason Naidovski is another fine example of the club's confidence in their younger guns - in addition to the likes of Domenic Trimboli, Kane Wright and Giorgio Speranza who have also made names for themselves in this first part of the season.

An entertaining match is expected, with both sides in need of points for two very different reasons as we draw to the halfway stage of the season.

A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers will hope to make it two wins from their last two home matches when West Sydney Berries visit Leichhardt Oval. In what has been a very ordinary start to the season for the former NSL club, the Tigers have shown huge signs of improvement over the past fortnight, most noticeable in the defeat of Sydney Olympic in Round 7.

The Round 8 loss at Sydney United was made the more difficult with the side forced to play the majority of the match with ten-men following the red card to Stephen Kayes on 14' minutes, though confidence around the team is on the 'up', as expressed by club President Tony Raciti following the match against the Reds.

The Berries season has also been plagued by injury and suspension, though expectation amongst the supporters is still high for a serious push towards the finals series. The Berries were good value against Sydney Olympic last weekend, though a poor final 3' minutes of the first-half saw the side concede two goals and hand Sydney Olympic victory. Against the Tigers on Sunday, Dimitri Zakilas and Kosta Lagoudakis will need to be on-song in the attacking third, with the chances created by the front men requiring some better finishing if a serious challenge is to be mounted for finals football.

At Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney Olympic will be confident to make it two wins on-the-trot when South Coast Wolves visit. The Blues have struggled so far in 2010, though the win against the Berries last weekend may well be the medicine the side requires to get their season back on track. Striker Matthew Mayora remains an invaluable member for the side in the attacking third, and his strike against the Berries will certainly lift his confidence. Out of midfield, the experience of Andre Gumprecht, along with the hard work of Phillip Makrys and also the new inclusion of former North Queensland Fury keeper Paul Henderson who had a fantastic debut with the Blues against the Berries will be key for Sydney Olympic success.

The Wolves visit Belmore with absolutely nothing to lose following a rather positive run of results over the past month. Tipped to be one of the easy beats this season, Trevor Morgan's side has frustrated each of their opponents to-date, and sit in eighth-spot on the ladder after eight rounds. Morgan's first priority has been to organise his team well, and the players at his disposal have followed their coaches lead with some very good defensive displays of late. In the attacking third, promising signs have been seen by Mark Picciolini with his performances, as have the performances of Jason Trifiro and Lisandro Berbis. Having already claimed the scalps of Bankstown City and Manly United FC on the road, Sydney Olympic would best avoid underestimating the Wolves on Sunday.

League leader Blacktown City FC face Sutherland Sharks at Lily Homes Stadium with Aytek Genc's men expected to claim maximum points from this one. The Blacktown side has been in tremendous form thus far, testament to the club's preparation for the 2010 season. Tolgay Ozbey remains the 'go to' man in the attacking third with Ante Deur pitching in with some exceptional performances so far this season. The experience of Tyler Simpson, Luka Dukic, Luke Roodenberg and Matt Pressello has also facilitated Genc's organisation of the side - arguably the most explosive side in the competition to-date, a true reflection to the side's current first-spot standing on the League ladder.

The Sharks' task at hand will not be an easy one against the League leaders. Robbie Stanton's men will need to put aside the disastrous home loss against Bankstown City last weekend, and focus on re-finding the form that saw the Seymour Shaw side clinch the Premiership last season. The return of Panni Nikas is a huge coup for the side, with the likes of Jim Bakis and Nick Stavroulakis expected to add flair to the Sharks' attacking raids as well as the return of striker Ben Vidaic.

In the final match of the Round at the new kick-off time of 6pm, Sydney United pays visit to Jensen Park to face Bankstown City. The Lions will be full of confidence following their win against Sutherland Sharks last weekend, putting an end to a rather indifferent run for the Jensen Park side to-date. The Lions have struggled to keep clean sheets this season, though the clean sheet at Seymour Shaw will certainly help lift confidence amongst the squad. In the attacking third, Robbie Mileski's good run of form, along with that of new signing Bill Tsandis stands the side in good stead for a serious shout at victory on Sunday.

The visiting Reds have also shown their ability with some impressive displays of late. Elsid Barkhousir, the side's top goalscorer, has been in impressive touch, despite a forgettable afternoon in-front of goal last weekend against the Tigers. Following the Round 5 loss against Bonnyrigg, Sydney United has put together three wins from three matches, sending a serious warning to the Lions for the clash on Sunday.

-By Joseph Carlucci