Prepare for a “hellish battle.”

While all eyes are on Friday night’s top-flight clash, both the Illawarra Hawks and Melbourne United are prepared for a dogfight.

Who could forget the emotionally charged Round 6 clash in which Justin Tatum unleashed a tirade of comments and accused United star Chris Goulding of a “flop”?

If this game was already shaping up to be an exciting duel, then keep in mind that these teams are in first and second place in the NBL standings. If the Hawks win, they will take the top spot.

Speaking to Code Sports, Tatum said he was ready for a frosty reception Friday night at John Cain Arena, even with Goulding’s absence due to injury.

“I’m looking forward to it and I’m ready for it,” Tatum said.

“At the end of the day, it’s competitive and I hope they see it that way.

“I take it, as long as it’s respectful, everything will be fine.”

United coach Dean Vickerman said he expects nothing less than Illawarra’s best.

“We were lucky enough to get a good win against them, but now that we’re competing it’s going to be a tough battle,” he said.

“You just want to keep testing yourself. I think they’re a team that because of their offensive prowess and their playmaking ability… will test you in a lot of areas.

“I expect them to be fired up and we try to get back on our feet. It will probably be one of the most intense games of the year so far.”

In Round 6, it was Melbourne who claimed an impressive five-point win over the Hawks in opposition territory, but the Hawks are ready and willing to turn the tables.

“Melbourne is going to be tough, but if I put in a very aggressive, determined performance from the Hawks and we lose, I can take that because we can build on that,” Tatum told the Illawarra Mercury.

United host Illawarra on Friday evening at 7:30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.

Read more here >> Hawks, Justin Tatum prepares for heated United crowd as Dean Vickerman predicts epic events