WITH only five games left in the campaign, it is truly do or die for Rockdale City and Sutherland.
The local rivals will clash for The Leader Cup on Sunday at the Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale with their entire seasons on the line.
The Suns and the Sharks are locked on 21 points, four behind fifth-placed Sydney United 58 in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men's 1 competition.
A loss in the derby would be fatal for either team's finals hopes.
The teams have already played twice this season, with Sutherland embarrassing the Suns in a 6-2 hammering at Seymour Shaw Park in April.
Rockdale gained revenge for that defeat when they eliminated Sutherland from the FFA Cup with a 3-0 victory at Ilinden.
Rockdale City player-coach Paul Reid said his team were aware of the importance of the derby.
"It's a massive game for us in terms of our season," he said.
"I think it is [do or die].
"There's only five games left and we've got Sydney United the week after so we definitely have to keep picking up points.
"Obviously [Sutherland] need to do the same thing. When you look at it realistically both teams are going for one spot [in the finals]."
The Suns will also go into the game buoyed by an impressive run of form, unbeaten in their last four games, and the return of former A-League keeper Ivan Necevski from suspension.
Rockdale City player-coach Paul Reid said he was also racing the clock to recover from an abductor injury.
Both teams secured important points last week as Rockdale drew away at league leaders Blacktown City and Sutherland's Jordan Figon scored a 91st-minute equaliser for the Sharks against APIA Leichhardt.
Reid said the previous results between the teams would make Sunday's result difficult to pick.
"Honestly, that loss to them was one of our worst performances we've had in many years," he said.
"We need to come out and do to them exactly what we did in the FFA Cup.
"We will be up for it, a lot of teams don't like coming to Rockdale.
"Hopefully, there is a big crowd out there and we can do the job."
Kick-off is at 5pm.
Which team will you be supporting on Sunday?
