Adam Le Fondre and Roy Krishna go head to head as Sydney FC host Wellington Phoenix

It’s the shootout that could define Sydney FC’s season, a battle of the top goalscorers in the unlikely surrounds of Campbelltown Stadium.

Sydney FC striker Adam Le Fondre (left) will go head-to-head with fellow sharpshooter Roy Krishna on Saturday.

• A-League newcomers target first coach
• Female footballers pay price for changing times

It’s the shootout that could define Sydney FC’s season, a battle of the top goalscorers in the unlikely surrounds of Campbelltown Stadium.

With 13 goals Adam Le Fondre is not only Sydney’s top scorer but the A-League’s also, while Wellington’s Fijian star Roy Krishna is joint second just a goal behind.

Both have been standouts for their teams, and both have the strongest incentive to push past the other when the Sky Blues meet Phoenix on Saturday.

Technically it’s a home game for Wellington, but one they sold to Campbelltown, meaning it’s Sydney who have the comforts of a short trip out West.

With Perth seemingly cantering towards the minor premiership, Sydney are behind second-placed Melbourne Victory by only a point.

Sydney FC striker Adam Le Fondre (left) will go head-to-head with fellow sharpshooter Roy Krishna on Saturday.

Conversely eight points separate Wellington in sixth from Sydney in third, but a quirk of the fixture list means the Sky Blues face the sides currently in sixth, fifth and fourth in their next three games — a run that could easily drag them back into the chasing pack if their flatlining results continue

After a run of two losses and a draw in four games, Steve Corica’s side desperately needs a nerve-stiffening victory on Saturday, with Le Fondre’s contribution crucial.

If anything the Englishman has slightly gone off the boil in recent weeks, after recording a remarkable 11 goals in his first 12 A-League games in Sydney’s colours.

Sydney FC striker Adam Le Fondre is leading the A-League scoring charts. Picture: AAP

Since then he has scored two in seven games, one of those a penalty last week against the Mariners, and not coincidentally Sydney’s overall output has similarly declined.

Several crucial chances have gone begging in recent weeks, though that hasn’t dented his confidence.

Hot on Le Fondre’s heels in the scoring charts is Krishna, joint second with Andy Keogh, and the Phoenix striker’s output is remarkably similar to Le Fondre — both have scored with either foot but only once with their heads, both have only scored once outside the penalty area, and Le Fondre has three penalties to Krishna’s four.

Le Fondre has more shots on target but Krishna more assists, possibly reflecting the changes in Sydney’s frontline over the season.

With eight rounds to go, the race for five of the top six positions could yet be unexpectedly fluid — whoever wins the Golden Boot is likely to be pivotal to the final make-up.