On Wednesday evening, United faces a Phoenix XI at Tahuna, and next Sunday it has a critical home game against Hawkes Bay, also at Tahuna.
It is a demanding programme indeed, but coach Malcolm Fleming is confident that his side will thrive on the challenge.
In recent years Otago has had the edge on Waikato with five wins out of six achieved away in Hamilton.
"Our side is not short of spirit and, with both Andy Coburn and Tim Horner back in the mix, we will field a side capable of winning what is clearly a critical match," Fleming said.
Waikato is three points ahead in the race for a top four play-off spot, so a win can draw Otago level with German coach Willy Gerdson's side.
In the first round, Waikato took three points from a seventh-minute goal by Jason Hicks, and after Otago conceded in the second minute last week against Auckland, Fleming is adamant it will not commit early errors.
Otago's cause will not be helped by Paul Seaman's absence through injury and suspension.
Alistair Rickerby (dislocated shoulder) is also excluded and regular first choice Nathan Knox has left for Australia.
"We're confident but we're not over-confident," Gerdson said.
"We cannot take Otago United lightly. If we are going to be play-off contenders then we must win our home games."
Fleming has had a strong turnout at training, supplemented by Youth team players vying for selection against the Phoenix on Wednesday.
"It's good to see youngsters chasing starting positions," Fleming said.
"It makes for competitive training sessions and increased pressure. There is no better way to improve than playing against experienced senior players."
Yet it will not be an Otago youth team totally, since there is every chance Phoenix could feed some senior players into the mix, and there will be interest in the SV Wiesbaden player Caleb Rufer, son of Wynton.
Otago's Joel Stevens could get a run, which would be the gifted young linkman's last local appearance before leaving for a year at the Everton Academy in England.
Otago Utd v Waikato
Hamilton, today
• Otago United: Adam Highfield, Tom Sadd, Aaron Burgess, Phil Ruggles, Andy Coburn, James Reichwien, Callum Flaws, Tim Horner, Harley Rodeka, Matt Brook, Liam Lockhart, Ant Hancock, Tom Connor, Tristan Prattley, Morgan Day.
• Waikato: John Fletcher, Maksim Manko, Ryan Zoghby, Nick Branch, Jason Hicks, Jason McKeown, Mark Jones, Daniel Peat, Nathan Palmer, Jack Beguely, Eugene Heerschap, Milos Nikolic, Sam Margetts, Alex Carr, Matteo Ballan, Mauri Wasi.
