Chris Payne is well aware that North Queensland Fury's next opponents will provide a very stern test.

The Fury take on Adelaide United at Dairy Farmers Stadium on Saturday and Payne knows that the Reds showed plenty of improvement in their 3-2 win over Melbourne Heart on Friday and are likely to bring that newfound confidence into Saturday evening's fixture.

"If they perform the way they did against Melbourne we could be (in trouble), so it works both ways,'' he told the Townsville Bulletin.

"It's going to be a tough game for us, every game is tough, but it should be a good game for us and a good challenge to see where we are at.''

The Fury currently sits second on the table with one win and two draws whilst Adelaide are equal on points but have scored fewer goals so sit one spot behind.