Hosts Australia will hope to crash the United States' party after the Eagles' fast start to the world rugby sevens season put an early dent in their hopes of direct Olympic qualification.
The top four sides in this season's tournament will earn automatic entry to Tokyo 2020 and avoid the need to win an Oceania tournament or last-chance repechage to earn a start in Japan.
Australia won in Sydney last year, with their breakthrough win a big reason they ended the season in fourth.
But they were a disappointing 10th in the World Cup late last year and return to Sydney ranked sixth in the world series after three rounds.
Traditional sevens giants Fiji top the standings with New Zealand third and South Africa fourth.
It's the arrival of the fast-improving United States in second that has turned heads, with the Eagles' three runner-up finishes from three events this season proving they are more than just one-trick ponies.
Speedster and two-time world player of the year Perry Baker broke his jaw in last week's New Zealand leg, but in former track athlete Carlin Isles they will still possess pace to burn at Spotless Stadium from Saturday.
"We're excited and optimistic; three finals in a row now and want to go one better," long-time captain Madison Hughes said.
"Perry's been so, so good the last two years that Carlin hasn't had the same opportunities.
"His speed is what gives him (Isles) the headlines, but every day he's there working so, so hard."
Hughes said last year's breakthrough win in Las Vegas had served as a turning point for the fast-developing side.
"We've usually struggled out of the gate, but this season we've come out hot and been performing ever since Vegas last year," he said.
"Hopefully we can keep this form, take it to Vegas (in the next round) and kick on."
The Eagles play Canada, Kenya and France in Saturday's pool games, while Australia face South Africa, Argentina and Tonga.
