In a round where the favourites take on the strugglers, the Magic-Greens encounter shapes as the most intriguing.

Although the reigning champion is in the relegation zone, it remains five points from a possible finals spot after a 6-0 thumping of Sunshine George Cross last week.

Striker Koce Delev scored four goals as Altona found its scoring touch under a new coach and with a host of new recruits.

The Greens had a week off and sit in fourth with two games in hand.

Unlucky not to get all three points against Oakleigh last time out, the Greens have benefited from the superb form of young striker Damir Lokvancic, who has found the net five times.

HEIDELBERG United will travel to Hume City in search of a surprise fourth-straight win.

United was the competition's cellar dweller after nine rounds, but has recorded consecutive wins over Dandenong, Sunshine George Cross and Melbourne Knights.

Much can be accredited to in-form striker Saso Alexovski, who has provided adequate support for Osagie Ederaro up front.

Hume's form has been a drastic contrast, winless in its last three games after a great start to the season.

Goals have been at a premium in those games, with three in as many encounters.

City will be looking for Richard Cardozo, Zoran Petrevski and Andy Vlahos to find the net in what could be an open and free-flowing game.

OAKLEIGH will look to continue its top of the table run when it hosts Green Gully.

The Cannons have only lost twice this season and have shown a composure to score quick late goals and retain points.

There is no panic from a team featuring goal scoring duo Jerry Karpeh and Michael Curcija.

Meanwhile, the Cavaliers have struggled to develop any run of form and were left reeling by a non-decision in last week's loss at home to Richmond.

The attacking problems have persisted for the Cavaliers all season, although new striker Brent Fisher is starting to settle at his new club.

The goal scoring charts show left back Steven Burton as the club's leading scorer, underlining the issues they have had up front.

SOUTH Melbourne is returning from a successful trip to Singapore, hosting Northcote, which will play an away game at home.

South's home game will be played at John Cain Memorial Reserve, Northcote's ground, with the continuing redevelopment of Bob Jane Stadium.

After a successful trip to Singapore, South is likely to regain star duo Fernando De Moraes and Joe Keenan, who were both unavailable to make the trip.

City lifted late in the 2-1 loss to Oakleigh last week, producing numerous chances and almost gaining a late point.

Much reliance has been on striker Trent Rixon who has scored eight of Northcote's 18 goals.

But City has signed Georgies striker Stuart Nicholson, who has scored three times this season.

In similar stadium circumstances, Sunshine George Cross will play host to the lowly Melbourne Knights at the latter's home ground.

The Georgies have been rocked by the departure of coach Andy O'Dell and key goal scoring pair Kyle Joryeff (South Melbourne) and Stuart Nicholson (Northcote City).

They face a tough finish to the season after showing potential of a finals run.

The Knights will be eyeing a much-needed win to end a five-game winless run.

Kevin Townson and Jean Charles-Dubois have been the only shining lights in a poor Knights season thus far.

RICHMOND will host Dandenong Thunder as the home team looks to continue an attacking and impressive formula put into practice this season.

Star striking pair Daniel Visevic and Jesse Krncevic have been able to finish off the smooth passing game of the Eagles.

The Thunder is revitalized and need to show it can hit a run of form after last week's surprise defeat of Hume City.