Otago United coach Terry Phelan says his side has nothing to fear in facing top-of-the-table Waitakere United in Auckland today.
United is fresh off a disappointing 3-3 home draw with Waikato, and sits equal bottom of the table with Canterbury.
Waitakere, on the other hand, is five points clear at the top of the table and on a 19-match unbeaten run, spread over two seasons, in the New Zealand Football Championship.
But Phelan said his side had competed well with Waitakere last season, drawing twice and losing once, and would not be overawed.
"We have nothing to fear. We'll be going into the game with open minds, looking to take the battle to them rather than letting them come to us," Phelan said.
"We are creating chances and scoring goals. It's just what is happening at the other end which is letting us down."
Otago has not had any trouble scoring goals, but its defence has leaked 20 goals, while Waitakere has conceded just six.
Otago United was guilty of throwing the match away last week at Sunnyvale, twice being two goals up, before conceding two late goals to come away with the draw.
"They were soft goals and just come from guys not being mentally switched on. They are just individual schoolboy-like errors.
"We need guys who want to die for the cause and we did not do that last week."
Phelan said the squad was all fit and healthy, and he was happy with the way the side was creating chances.
Former Otago United captain and centreback John Chisholm may face his old team today. Chisholm has transferred to the Queen City for employment and has signed up with Waitakere.
Otago United will again be without its captain, Colin Falvey, today. He is still suspended after being sent off against Manawatu two weeks ago.
Falvey was missed last week in the centre of defence, with United struggling to cope with balls from the flanks.
If United won its next four games, the side could get into the playoffs, Phelan said.
Otago United will not have long to ponder today's result, as it has to back up and face Wellington at Sunnyvale on Sunday.
Phelan said two games in three days was tough but it was something the side just had to live with.
Otago vs Waitakere
Douglas Field, Auckland, 1pm, today
Waitakere United (from): Richard Gillespie, Aaron Scott, Tim Myers, Paul Seaman, Benjamin Totori, Allan Pearce, Neil Sykes, Roy Krishna, Jeff Campbell, Christopher Bale, Neil Emblen, Jake Butler, Kayne Vincent, John Chisholm.
Otago United (from): Liam Little, Rhys Henderson, Tristan Prattley, Barry Gardiner, Mike Smith, Robbie Deeley, Blair Scoullar, Tom Jackson, Dave Dugdale, Andy Coburn, Aaron Burgess, Tim Horner, Tom Connor, Stu Kelly.
