The sides have contested the last two State Shield finals, with Auckland winning in 2006-07 and Otago turning the tables last season, ending a 20-year drought.
The duel is set to continue, with the teams meeting in the eighth round at the University Oval today.
Otago is in third place with 17 points and is fresh from an impressive 125-run win over Canterbury on Wednesday.
But the defending champion can ill afford a loss and Auckland would be right at the top of teams it would least like to lose to.
Last season, Auckland coach Mark O'Donnell added fuel to what was already a passionate match-up when he criticised the University Oval pitch, labelling it dangerous.
He alienated Otago further when he suggested a lot of people within the association were protecting their own backs and making excuses for what was a substandard pitch.
It is fair to say his comments were not received well.
The situation for Auckland is critical. It is in fourth place on 12 points and a loss would likely end its title hopes.
The North Islanders made the worst possible start to the tournament, losing their first four matches, but have bounced back to win three matches on the trot, including a last ball victory over Otago in Auckland last week.
"I don't think we need any extra motivation when we play Auckland," Otago coach Mike Hesson responded when asked if that narrow loss had annoyed the team.
"Auckland is a good side. We've met them in the last couple of finals and it has always been pretty competitive.
"We rate them and we'll certainly have to play well [today]."
Otago has made one change from the side which beat Canterbury.
Experienced medium pacer Warren McSkimming, who has been struggling with a hamstring injury, comes into the 12 at the expense of left-armer Craig Smith.
The Volts have two of the more destructive batsmen in world cricket in Brendon McCullum and Dimitri Mascarenhas.
Mascarenhas took a liking to Auckland bowler Daryl Jones, hitting the medium pacer for five consecutive sixes in one over.
And Brendon McCullum is overdue after missing out in his first two innings for Otago.
The game will be played on the same pitch on which Otago racked up 288 for seven against Canterbury, and Hesson expects it will again be a good batting strip.
Otago captain Craig Cumming is perhaps the key wicket.
The former test opener stroked a magnificent century in his last dig.
Nathan McCullum also played well and scored his highest one-day score - a hard-hit 71 off 55 balls.
Auckland will be without its skipper, Richard Jones, who is unavailable for personal reasons.
His spot will be taken by Anaru Kitchen and former Otago gloveman Gareth Hopkins will take over the captaincy reins.
The Aucklanders have a solid looking top order which includes Tim McIntosh and Martin Guptill, and Paul Hitchcock can be destructive on his day.
Chris Martin will spearhead an attack which includes Daryl Tuffey.
The pair have taken 20 wickets between them and have plenty of experience.
State Shield
Teams
Otago: Craig Cumming (c), Brendon McCullum, Shaun Haig, Greg Todd, Neil Broom, Nathan McCullum, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Derek de Boorder, Warren McSkimming, Ian Butler, Neil Wagner, James McMillan.
Auckland: Gareth Hopkins (c), Tim McIntosh, Martin Guptill, Anaru Kitchen, Reece Young, Rob Nicol, Steve Croft, Paul Hitchcock, Roneel Hira, Daryl Tuffey, Chris Martin, Colin de Grandhomme.
