But any talk of a cakewalk and having to simply turn up to win has been dismissed by the Highlanders as they go in search of a third win in a row, which could put them into the top four in the Super 14 if other results go their way.
Coach Glenn Moore said the Reds were a good side and would have plenty to play for.
"I've been saying it all year but there are no easy teams in this competition. They will be dangerous. They've come off a couple of losses and have changed their side so the new guys will have plenty to prove," Moore said.
He said the buzz that had been present in the Highlanders squad all year had grown in the past month with the side winning three of its last four games.
"Keeping winning is the target for us. A bit of momentum brings a bit of self-belief within the team, but we've got to keep our feet on the ground.
"Starting winning is about going out there and looking to dominate. Being clinical, and take what you want out of the game and not let them in."
The Highlanders have made just one change to the side that beat the Bulls in Palmerston North, with lock Josh Bekhuis coming into the forward pack in a straight swap with Hayden Triggs.
Moore has a fully fit squad to pick from, which is a boost going into the second half of the competition.
The Reds, on the other hand, have made five changes to a side which has been on the end of a couple of big losses in the past two weeks - 50-26 to the Chiefs, and 39-7 to the Force.
Reds coach Phil Mooney has put in two new wingers, Peter Hynes and Brando Va'aulu, while former Highlanders No 8 Ezra Taylor gets his first start in a Reds jersey.
Moore said the Highlanders wanted to show the Invercargill crowd some positive rugby and make up for the disappointing performance in a close loss to the Chiefs in Invercargill last month.
"We want to show the crowd down there that we can play a good brand of rugby.
"It's just about growing our game. We have been good on defence and our attack is coming along each week. It's really about doing our business and doing what we have to to win."
Last time the sides met in Invercargill, in 2004, the home side had a convincing 39-8 win.
Just one current Highlander, captain Jimmy Cowan, played in that game.
Cowan will once again feed Mathew Berquist at first five-eighth, and Berquist, along with Daniel Bowden, will have to be wary of internationals Quade Cooper and Berrick Barnes.
Further out, wingers Kendrick Lynn and Ben Smith are preferred as their speed, defensive qualities and ability under the high ball are becoming more valuable as teams look to gain territory.
The Highlanders may fancy their chances in the scrum, with props Clint Newland and Jamie Mackintosh looking to put their less-fancied opponents under the microscope.
A place in the top four for the Highlanders may have been unthinkable after they lost four of their first five matches, but the side has got on a roll, and nothing breeds confidence more than winning.
Officials in Invercargill are hoping to match the crowd of 6500 at the Chiefs game last month. Showers are forecast but may clear near the late afternoon kick-off.
The Highlanders will not have long to analyse the result, with the team returning to Dunedin tonight to begin preparations for next Friday night's game against the Blues in Auckland.
