With four wins from their last five games, A-League powerhouse Melbourne Victory are flying.
But it's in the unfamiliar position of being under the radar, with newly-crowned FFA Cup champions Melbourne City, led by Tim Cahill, stealing the spotlight.
Glamour club Victory, the 2014-15 A-League champions, have the chance to climb to second on the ladder when they host Perth at AAMI Park on Friday night.
But Victory coach Kevin Muscat admitted his team was in unfamiliar territory with little being made of their recent winning run.
"That's the first time that's ever been levelled at this football club," Muscat said Thursday when asked if the club was flying under the radar.
"We're comfortable and I've maintained our performances have been very good.
"If we had to sit in review of the season we'd be disappointed in letting some points slip."
Muscat said he wasn't at City's Cup victory over unbeaten Sydney FC on Wednesday night, saying he was only focused on his own team's match.
"I was busy preparing for tomorrow night," he said.
"Obviously congratulations to the winners and we'll worry about tomorrow night."
Winger Mitch Austin will miss the match as he battles an ankle injury suffered in Victory's 2-0 win over Newcastle.
Muscat said he will be sidelined for the next few weeks.
Victory have added four players to an extended squad, with defender Daniel Georgievski and goal-keeper Lawrence Thomas returning from injury, and Stefan Nigro and Jai Ingham promoted.
Lucas Spinella has dropped out, with two more players to be omitted.
Victory haven't beaten Perth in six games since 2014.
The Glory are in fifth place on the back of a 2-0 loss to Central Coast Mariners last week.
"We will treat them with respect as they've assembled a very good squad this season and their good is very good," Muscat said.
"We've come off the back of a good result and performance last week and we want to improve on that and take the three points."
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