Melbourne Vixens look to pin finals spot

Melbourne Vixens will be looking to claim their eighth win in a row in the upcoming clash against the Queensland Firebirds to cement their spot in the first Super Netball final series.

With only four rounds to go, the Vixens remain only a point clear from second-placed Giants Netball after the NSW team bounced back to second position with a 48-45 win over West Coast Fever on Sunday.

Melbourne defeated the Firebirds 66-50 in round five but will need to secure a second win in Saturday's home-game against the reigning premiers who are battling it out with the Collingwood Magpies for the fourth spot in the final series.

With only four points separating the Firebirds and Magpies, Vixens captain Kate Moloney said she was expecting the interstaters to give it their all.

"We know it will be really tough," Moloney said.

"They really need to make wins now for a place in the finals, so we are expecting them to come out firing."

Moloney said the Vixens will have to put up a strong defence to keep Firebird shooter Romelda Aiken from doing any damage to the scoreboard.

"We really need to put on defensive pressure right from goal shooter," Moloney said.

"We need a full-court defensive effort to slow the ball down and give our defenders a chance."

Saturday's double header will also see fourth-placed Pies clash with Sunshine Coast Lightning, who are third on the ladder despite a demolishing 70-59 defeat against Melbourne last week.

The Magpies will host Lightning at Hisense Arena in Melbourne on Saturday after the Vixens and Firebirds clash.