The winner will take a gigantic stride towards a top-two finish, which means a potential saloon passage to the BBL final in a season where managing fatigue is more crucial than ever.

Both Sydney teams will spend the week in Canberra.

Wednesday's match against the Thunder marks the first time the Sixers, who flew into town on Monday, have played at Manuka Oval since the 2015 final. For the Thunder, landing in the capital on Sunday night would've almost felt like coming home, given the side spent the first four weeks of this year's competition in the ACT.

Their form has wobbled a little over the past week with two losses in the games, but all rounder Arjun Nair knows a positive result against their fierce rivals will recalibrate their BBL campaign.

"For us it's to try and get the win on Wednesday and get that top spot again," Nair said.

"They're a great side, they've shown it for a number of years.

"They're without Moises [Henriques] and Sabba [Sean Abbott] the whole season, but they're still doing quite well. When they're back they'll be an even stronger side.

"Our main goal is to get that number one and two spot, play that game where we can go to the final."

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The top two sides play off in a post-season qualifier for the final. The loser of that match gets a second chance against one of the lower-placed finals contenders.

Nair played his first match for the year in last week's win over Hobart in Perth, scoring 15 runs and taking a wicket.

"I'm feeling good with where my skills are batting and bowling, so for me I'm feeling ready all the time and just trying to maintain that."