"This is a massive game for Otago," coach Malcolm Fleming said.
"It's in our hands whether our season virtually finishes on Sunday or we battle on.
"We are aiming at seven points from the last nine available in the three remaining matches. And I think we are capable of that."
Otago United is unbeaten in its last three matches with Manawatu, which last beat Otago in 2008 when a double by Jason Hayne led to a 3-2 win.
Otago needs the likes of Tom Connor, Ant Hancock, Morgan Day, Harley Rodeka, James Govan and Sam Mepham to step up and join near-veterans Tristan Prattley and Andy Coburn.
Coburn leaves for Australia in a few weeks, but it is a measure of the man that he has factored in a delay, if Otago can reach the top four.
Losing Paul Seaman, Tim Horner, Nathan Knox, Phil Ruggles and Alistair Rickerby in recent weeks has nearly halved the squad's average age and experience level.
That average will rise again when Otago's contingent from north of the Waitaki joins in. The input of keeper Adam Highfield, who is enjoying a rich vein of form, centreback Tom Sadd and the battling James Reichwein will be critical.
The latest to arrive from Christchurch, striker Chris Anderson, has especially impressed with his mobility and tight control. There are high hopes for Anderson and a possible partnership with Aaron Burgess in attack.
"It's a question of getting the mix right," said Fleming, who is pleased with the form showed by his younger players, and the leadership qualities of his core group.
Manawatu coach Bob Sova will be without goalscorer Hayne this week since he has left for Australia, and the vastly experienced Adam Cowan will also be absent through suspension.
In women's football, the Footballsouth national youth league squad will be looking for revenge when it travels to Wellington for a return game against Capital Football today.
"After being beaten 5-0 in the first game of their season these young women have worked hard at training, looking to be more competitive across the whole 90 minutes against their Capital counterparts," coach Darren Rewi said.
Unfortunately, the squad has been affected this week with several members being unable to travel due to university and personal commitments, and injuries to Melissa Todd, Shontelle Smith and Amelia Currier.
OTAGO V MANAWATU
- Tahuna Park, tomorrow, noon
• Otago: Adam Highfield, Tom Sadd, Aaron Burgess, Andy Coburn, James Reichwein, Callum Flaws, James Govan, Harley Rodeka, Chris Anderson, Matt Brook, Liam Lockhart, Ant Hancock, Curtis Day, Tristan Prattley, Morgan Day, Sam Mepham.
• Manawatu: Matt Borren, Nobuyishi Ishi, Matt Smith, Colin Falvey, Josh Chettleburgh, Matt Kennedy, Nathan Cooksley, Michael White, Joachim Rande, Taiki Matsumura, Pablo Moya, Brook Tozer, Dale Higham, Ben Wilkes, Jared Bloor, Jono Steele.
