With three games remaining, the second-placed Wolves are vying with leaders Sutherland for the $35,000 premiership prize, which is supplied by Football NSW and competition sponsors.

If Wollongong win tonight's deferred round 17 match against Sydney United at Crehan Park, they would be level with Sutherland on competition points.

The fate of the premiership - and the hefty purse - would hang on the result of round 22's Wollongong-Sutherland showdown at Seymour Shaw Park.

That match would be worth $20,000; the premiers would net $35,000 and the runners-up $15,000.

Along with the windfall, the premiership winners will have the first week of the five-team play-off series off and would only have to win one semi-final to seal a berth in the grand final, which is scheduled for September 7.

Meanwhile, the Wolves are the competition's form team, having strung together a six-game unbeaten streak. The once-invincible Sharks have led since round one, but have clinched just four of 12 potential competition points in their past four games.

Wollongong FC players Chris Price, Balla Conde and Alfredo believe their side is the horse to bet on.

"We're confident now that the minor premiership is in our hands - we've got three games to go and if we win them all we win the title," Price said.

"There's great morale within the group at the moment and we're working for each other."

Conde said tonight's game would be the launching pad for the rest of the league campaign and beyond.

"We have a very good chance to win the title if we win all our three games starting tonight," Conde said.

"From now we can win every single game because of our confidence."

Alfredo believes Wollongong has timed its run to perfection.

"We started really slow but our confidence has grown," he said.