EDGEWORTH coach Damian Zane believes Maitland are best placed to deny his side a record 13th overall and fifth consecutive premiership as the intense six-team battle hits the home stretch.
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The ladder-leading Eagles, backing up from beating Darwin Olympic 3-0 in the FFA Cup and holding the Jets to 1-0 in a friendly, travel to CB Complex on Sunday in round 20 of the NNSW NPL.
While Edgeworth will be expected to beat bottom side Valentine, second-placed Weston host fifth-placed Charlestown on Sunday and third-placed Broadmeadow are away to sixth-placed Lambton Jaffas on Saturday in key matches in the fight for silverware.
Fourth-placed Maitland, who lost 2-0 to Central Coast Mariners in the cup on Wednesday night, welcome Hamilton at Cooks Square Park on Sunday.
With five games left because of two washouts, Maitland will claim the premiership if they take maximum points. They also have the easiest run, on ladder positions, to finish the season, playing only one top-six side, Jaffas, next Wednesday night.
Zane believed the Magpies would be hard to stop if they beat Hamilton and Jaffas. They finish against Valentine, Adamstown and Jets Youth.
"If Maitland win their next two, I can't see them not winning the league," Zane said.
While all top six teams can win the premiership, all six can also mathematically miss the finals in what shapes as a thrilling finish.
Zane said the focus for his side on Sunday would be on wrapping up a semi-final spot. A win will take them to 38 points, which he believed would be needed to make the top four. Daniel McBreen (calf) will miss another week, but Keanu Moore returns after a break.
Magpies coach Mick Bolch was proud of the effort to keep the Mariners scoreless for 80 minutes in front of 2477 fans at Maitland Sportsground but said it was important to back up the performance in the league. Mat Swan (hamstring) appeared their only injury concern.
"It's getting them up again after that crowd and everything, but they'll be right," Bolch said. "There's some level-headed boys there, so we'll be good."
Broadmeadow coach Ruben Zadkovich has Kale Bradbery back from an overseas holiday but said star Mitch Oxborrow would need a fitness test on Saturday before the clash at Edden Oval. Oxborrow aggravated a quadriceps injury last Sunday against Weston and has not trained this week.
Jaffas, who lost 1-0 to Magic first time around, are struggling with injuries and suspension but welcome back captain Michael Sessions. Zadkovich expected another close contest.
"I reckon they are a quality team with some class players, and they are put together well," he said.
"They are always a hard game for us, especially at their ground, but the boys are up for it. They are really putting in and are resolute, but we've just got to turn a few of the tight ones into wins."
On Saturday, Adamstown play the Jets Youth.