With only three points separating the top three sides, it might be tight in the eventual sprint to the finish, and top-team Caversham could be shooting from the hip against Northern at the Caledonian Ground today.
Second-placed Dunedin Technical actually has a marginally superior goal difference of 22, one better than Caversham, but has the bye this week.
Caversham coach Tim Horner will hope his side can seize the opportunity to boost its goal tally against second-bottom Northern.
Horner's side has already averaged more than three goals in the nine games played so far, with the Jackson brothers, Tom and Lewis, in good form.
Caversham also has an aggressive attacking midfield led by captain Seamus Ryder, and a steady backline that has the best defensive record in the FPL, with only eight goals conceded in nine games.
Northern, despite a goal difference of minus-31, gave Caversham a run for its money in the fifth round with a battling 3-2 loss, so it may not be one-way traffic today.
Tucked in third place, low-profile Mosgiel will also have an eye on improving its goal difference since it has scored exactly the same number of goals as Caversham.
Mosgiel plays Roslyn-Wakari at Memorial Park, hoping to repeat its 3-0 win in round five.
Mosgiel's form is intimidating, having notched a 6-0 win last week over Northern, despite being three regulars short, one of whom was influential Chilean midfielder Eder Franchini.
''It was a pleasing result,'' coach Andrew Brook said.
''It gave several fringe players a chance to show what they had, and confirmed my thoughts that we have some decent depth in our squad this year.''
Roslyn coach Colin Thom, however, is confident that if his team hits top form, it can beat any team in the FPL.
Certainly, the new trio of Blair Bates, Rupert Mark, and Shea Thompson have added a cutting edge, and youngsters Ben O'Farrell, Curtis Day and keeper Tom Stevens are improving in every game.
Add the hugely experienced Patrick Ebanda, and Tyrrel Barringer-Tairi alongside captain Cam Attwood, and Roslyn will keep Mosgiel honest.
At Sunnyvale, Green Island will hope for a repeat of the 4-0 win it earned over University in April, but coach Malcolm Fleming still despairs at his side's inconsistencies.
''We can be very good, and we can be very bad, but overall there has been improvement,'' Fleming said.
Five goals past Northern recently re-charged the young Green Island side's batteries. Keeper Josh Dijkstra, Cam McPhail, Nathan Gunn and Jesse Smith have been consistent, Jack KIrkwood can be classy and the laser pace of Ben Kiore can punish opposition.
''We just need consistency,'' Fleming said.
Bottom-side University is a conundrum. Man for man, it is a talented group, with skills, pace and finishing power - but not necessarily accuracy, much to the frustration of coach Darren Hart.
Coach Hart is a reluctant goalkeeper for Varsity, and from between the sticks he gets a close look at his team's frailties.
