Club depth and form is hard to determine in pre-season matches, as coaches try out new players and different formations.
However, there is no doubt last year's top teams will be hard to knock off their perches.
Caversham shrugged off financial woes last season to dominate the league, and finished top by four points in front of Dunedin Technical, University and Mosgiel.
Unfortunately, sixth-placed Queenstown has chosen to play its winter football in the Donald Gray competition in Invercargill, where less travel is involved.
With a spare place in the Football South Premier League up for grabs, there was no positive interest from Invercargill Old Boys or Timaru in filling the gap, and top football in the South is now reduced to seven teams, all based in Dunedin.
Interest was shown by coach Neil Mackenzie and his Milk Cup squad, which played in the league a few seasons back, but too little notice meant the under-17 team will now just fit in non-competition matches on Sundays against the team that gets the bye.
The seven teams are:
Caversham
Coach Tim Horner hopes to emulate last year's win, but has lost keeper Liam Little and reserve keeper Zayn Officer, and has drafted in former midfielder Luka Velebit between the sticks.
A positive is the return of centreback Benjudah Fitzpatrick, while new signings include Logan Wrightwebb (University) and Viljami Vuorenmaa (Finland).
Dunedin Technical
Aims to build on last year's effort of 69 goals in 21 matches, the best attacking record in the league, perhaps understandable with former Golden Boot winner Aaron Burgess as coach.
Technical again has a strong squad at Culling Park, with 14 of last year's team returning, and four new additions which include former Mosgiel defender Michael Abbott, and Christian Yarros, from college football at St Lawrence University.
University
Darren Hart has taken over as coach and faces a squad rebuild as several scarfies have moved on. But the Englishman is confident University will be competitive and hopes to unearth talent as a mass of student players clamour for places.
Mosgiel
Fourth last year, and enthusiastic coach Andrew Brook has recruited well. A key will be midfielder Eder Franchini Pasten, who joins after playing summer football for Southern United.
Experienced goalkeeper Zane Green, former University winger Ifeanyichukwu Unamadu and striker Regan Coldicott will be other key players for the Plainsmen.
Roslyn-Wakari
Dropped to fifth last season, and coach Colin Thom and his side will need to show grit and skill to effect a recovery. Roslyn averaged almost two goals per game, but conceded almost as many.
The loss of keeper Mike Rae to cricket in England has been offset by the signing of young gloveman Tom Stevens, and veteran Cameroon professional midfielder Patrick Ebanda will add silky skills, but Roslyn needs to find support for hard-working solo striker Damo Foster to improve its scoring.
Northern
Had a mediocre season last year, finishing second bottom and conceding more than three goals per game, but coach Murray Devereux aims to fly in below the radar.
There are several new signings to fit in with regulars Craig Wilkinson, Paolo Timajo and aggressive striker Angus Milne.
Green Island
Bottom last year, and young keeper Josh Dijkstra will again see plenty of action, since coach Malcolm Fleming has lost stalwart Dan Rutter, Liam Dungey and Cody Robinson.
Promising results in pre-season have the coach optimistic the pace of Ben Kiore and Jack Kirkwood might cause upsets, while Cam McPhail and Nathan Gunn will add the stability needed to earn results.
