Liberal MP Kellie Sloane is set to be the new leader of the NSW Opposition by Friday morning.

Sources have confirmed the leadership transition is likely to play out in a similar fashion to this week's challenge in Victoria.

NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman is expected to be tapped on the shoulder soon, like in Victoria, by a cross-factional group of conservatives and his own faction, the moderates.

They will tell him he has lost their support.

If Speakman listens to his colleagues, there will be a Liberal partyroom meeting as soon as Thursday night or on Friday morning.

Sloane is the frontrunner, but she will not challenge Speakman. When there's a vacancy or a spill motion, it's understood she will put up her hand for the leadership.

Sloane's supporters believe she has the numbers

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