THERE will be a few dead giveaways at Spotless Stadium on Saturday night that confirm Sydney's AFL derby is no run-of-the-mill fixture.

The venue that holds 24,000 fans is expected to be close to capacity, despite Premier League soccer giant Arsenal playing across the road.

The intensity will almost certainly be at a finals-like level. Greater Western Sydney remain flag favourite in the eyes of many, while the Swans' premiership odds have shortened almost every week during the past two months.

Lance Franklin and Jeremy Cameron, leaders in the Coleman Medal race, will be stationed at either end.

There will be a genuine rivalry, existing because the teams share the same city and have been enhanced by a series of fiery episodes in recent years.

GWS midfielder Matt de Boer will have his first taste of derby football in Sydney, having made a delayed start to the season because of a hamstring injury.

However, he is no stranger to the concept.

The West Australian grew up supporting West Coast. He joined Fremantle in 2008 and made his AFL debut the following year against the Eagles, the first of 14 Western Derbies he played before being offloaded by the Dockers.

"It always adds a bit more to the match, especially the first five or 10 minutes, I found it was always on," de Boer said.

"That first 10 minutes it felt like finals. The pressure is right up.

"We're building towards September, so Saturday night will be a good dress rehearsal. I'm sure there's going to be a bit more heat.

"The Dockers were the second team in WA, so it's a very similar story here.

"The Giants have become more competitive in recent years, now we're both real contenders and that adds a lot more to a derby."

The Giants have won four of their 12 clashes with Sydney. Notably they have won the past three.

There has never been a more high-stakes Sydney derby during the home and away season.

GWS has won just one of its past four matches and risk giving up a coveted spot in the top two.

The Swans are the form side of the competition, but a 0-6 start to the season means they sit only eighth on the ladder.