After three consecutive league wins, the defending champions (39) are one-point clear of last season's grand finalists the Western Sydney Wanderers (38) with two home-and-away fixtures remaining.
In that period, the Mariners have claimed victories over the Newcastle Jets, Melbourne Heart and Western Sydney, while they also stunned Chinese giants Beijing Guoan in midweek AFC Asian Champions League action.
Phil Moss' men, who have continued to defy the odds this season, head to nib Stadium full of confidence against a team, who have only won one of their past 11 games to languish at the foot of the table.
Western Sydney, who went down 2-1 to Kawasaki Frontale in Japan in the Asian Champions League midweek, host Premier's Plate winners the Brisbane Roar at Pirtek Stadium on Saturday.
A Western Sydney loss, combined with a Central Coast victory, would see Moss' side seal the all-important second spot ahead of the finals.
After just two days' rest following their trip to Japan on Wednesday, Victory must regroup to tackle a Jets outfit (32), who are one-point shy of Sydney FC (33) in the race for a top-six finish.
The Sky Blues earned a draw against Victory last time out but remain winless in three games ahead of Sunday's clash against Wellington Phoenix at Allianz Stadium.
