Melbourne Heart's Matt Thompson knows just how important this week is for the A-League's newest football club.

The Heart meet Thompson's former club Newcastle Jets tonight before taking on derby rivals the Victory on Saturday and are in desperate need of point after losing four of their past five.

Thompson is aware that the line-up will be without some key players for both fixtures and admitted the double header provides a stern test for the fledgling club.

"We had a couple of boys out on the weekend, and a few more could be out this week, so it's definitely going to test where we're at," he said.

"It's a massive thing for us to make sure to show, yes we're down, but not out. It's an important game and we want to go out and perform.

"We've gone four or five on the trot without a result and we have to make sure, coming back at home, we perform for the fans, but we have to get a bit of pride back."

The Heart have failed to score in their last four matches, whilst conceding seven, and Thompson says it is vital to be adept at both ends of the park.

"It's tough," Thompson added. "It's disappointing because we're not scoring, but, at the same time, you have to be stopping them going in at the other end. If you're conceding two goals a game, you're going to find it hard to win most of them.

"With the ball, we're not bad. Without it, we're just having a few lapses in concentration and they're catching us out on it.

"We've got two massive games this week and we have to make sure the minimum is six points."

The first of the Heart's double header is tonight at AAMI Park against the in-form Jets - kick-off is at 7:00pm.