Melbourne City are set to dive head-first into a brutally tight A-League Women schedule eyeing redemption for their first loss of the season.
Dario Vidosic's City suffered a 3-1 defeat to Western United on Saturday, ending a run of three wins, but created multiple golden chances and could easily have turned that game in their favour.
They will eye a quick rebound away to Canberra United at Seiffert Oval on Friday, then play Perth Glory four days later.
A quick break then precedes a run of three games in seven days between January 8-14 to start the new year.
"This is our period now where we've got these two games in four days and then we've got a bit of a rest," coach Vidosic told reporters.
"And then we've got three games in (seven) days.
So we've been given the little bit tougher schedule but it's good.
"We're looking forward to the challenge. Everyone needs to be looked after and (we need to make sure) that we have as many numbers (as possible)."
City hope their game against Perth on December 27, due to kick off at 2pm on a day of 36-degree temperature, will be pushed back.
But first, they'll focus on shutting down Canberra's array of attacking weapons at HBF Park.
Michelle Heyman has started the season on fire while Vesna Milivojevic, Grace Jale and Nicki Flannery add further strike power.
"We know they are dangerous, and especially in Canberra, it's always a hard place to go," Vidosic said.
"But we just focus on ourselves. We've looked a little bit at them,we know where their threats are, we know where they could potentially hurt us.
"We saw Michelle against Perth - she took the ball from halfway and set it up for a backpost tap-in.
"So we know they've got their danger players and we'll look to keep them quiet."
City skipper Emma Checker will miss a second consecutive game through illness.
Striker Hannah Wilkinson (quad) is another week away with fringe Matildas defender Karly Roestbakken (foot) a bit further off.
