Penrith-Nepean sit in equal fifth-spot, behind Manly United on goal difference, and will take to their clash against Sydney Olympic well and truly aware of the mammoth task at hand. Penrith-Nepean was good value throughout their 1-1 draw against Bonnyrigg White Eagles last weekend, and Mitchell Long & Co. will be eager to re-create the attacking display in the final stages against the White Eagles.

Sydney Olympic on the other-hand will be full of confidence after an impressive 5-2 defeat of Wollongong Community FC. Aytek Genc's front-pairing of Tolgay Ozbey and Matthew Mayora are hitting their straps, and apart from a nervy start to the match in the defensive third, the Blues are living up to their favourites tag for the title.

At Cromer Park, Manly United FC boss Phil Moss will be seeking consolidation from his players against Bonnyrigg White Eagles after the side collected their first win of the season away against Sydney Tigers. Much is expected of Manly United FC this season and following two draws from the first two matches, the performance against the Tigers suggests the side does have the temperament for a good showing. Robbie Cattanach and Josh Sama pose an exciting duo in attack for Manly United, meanwhile the experience of Spencer Prior and new signing Matthew Bingley stand the balance of the squad in good stead.

The White Eagles on the other-hand have found their return to the top-flight challenging, though signs are promising. Coach Blagoja Kuleski's side showed their worth against Penrith-Nepean in Round 4, though a lack of confidence in the final 20' minutes cost the side their first win. Midfield pairing Milorad Simonovic and Ilkay Gurbuz will run the side's engines, meanwhile more goals will be the order of the day for lofty striker Almir Dizdaric.

On Sunday evening, Blacktown City Demons return to Gabbie Stadium on a high after an inspiring defeat of West Sydney Berries. Ken Schembri has assembled an exceptional group mixed with youth and experience; Chris Bedzo and Ben Ellis two of the brightest shining lights in recent weeks.

Sydney Tigers' promising pre-season has been long forgotten as the Leichhardt-based side has failed to enthrall to-date. The Tigers will be hoping last season's top scorer Robbie Younis will return amongst the goals at Gabbie Stadium, with Franco Parisi returning from recent injury. The Tigers sit in ninth-spot on the ladder though a win at Blacktown will send their confidence way up the ladder.

At Jensen Park, an injury-ridden Bankstown City face their 2008 'bogey-team' West Sydney Berries. The Berries twice defeated the Lions last season, adding to the woeful finish to the side's campaign. This time around, player/coach Peter Tsekenis will need to again shuffle his cards with a number of regular starters absent.

The Berries too enter the match with their own problems following a draw and a loss in their two home matches to-date. Coach John Calleja will need his captain Aheleas Kotsopoulos firing; along with John Fotiadis who made a huge impact after entering the field of play from the bench last weekend.

Wollongong Community FC meet Sutherland Sharks in an important match for both sides at John Crehan Park. The nucleus of both sides played in the 2008 TeleChoice Premier League Grand-Final, though this Round 5 clash sees these sides occupy tenth and eleventh spots on the ladder. Wollongong Community FC's promising start to the campaign has hit a slight hurdle. The Wollongong outfit lead Sydney Olympic last weekend before squandering a two-goal lead.

The Sharks on the other-hand missed a golden chance to score their first win of the season - and hand Sydney United their first loss - last weekend. A late penalty miss cost the Sharks the points, setting up this enormous clash for the side in their attempt to keep pace with the Top-Five.

In arguably the match of the Round, Sydney United host Marconi Stallions in a local derby that stems back to the NSL days. The match carries double importance as both sides occupy the Top-Two spots on the League ladder, along with yearly Capitol Hill trophy up for grabs. The clash at Sydney United Sports Centre will be the first-leg between the two sides; the return fixture in Round 16 to determine the trophy winner for 2009.

Sydney United has made an emphatic start to the campaign this season, testament to their hold on first-spot thus far. The return of club icons Ante Milicic and David Zdrilic have added experience across the park, meanwhile Joe Vrkic calls the shots from the backline.

Marconi Stallions defenders will also need to keep a hold of Milicic's strike-partner Luka Glavas; though Lee Sterrey's Stallions have held their own thus far.

The Stallions will be eager to make amends for the points squandered against Bankstown City after holding a two-goal lead last weekend. Iraqi import Ali Al-Hilfi has been in great touch since his arrival at the club; the left-sided midfielder will carry much expectation against their neighbours on Sunday.

-By Joseph Carlucci