The side is looking to bounce back from a 6-0 hammering by Waitakere United last Sunday.
United coach Richard Murray said his side gave Waitakere far too much space last week and suffered the consequences.
"Against Manawatu we've got to get in their face and contest every ball. They have players that are quick, like Vanuatua international Seule Soromon, Chilean Pablo Moya, and their captain, Cory Chettleburgh, strokes the ball around from central midfield," he said.
"If we let them, coach Stu Jacobs will have them organised to set us real problems, so we have to compete."
The return of Tristan Prattley and Craig Ferguson should boost Otago's composure in defence, and along with Tom Connor, provide a threat pushing forward.
In attack, the gap up front left by Ant Hancock's unavailability will not be easily filled. He has shown exciting form but cannot play because of suspected concussion and the jaw injury sustained last week.
Morgan Day set standards in skill and aggression last week, and his driving input in midfield will be critically important again this week.
Striker Donnie MacGregor is out with another recurring hamstring problem, and Otago must hope that the roving runs of Darren Overton, Harley Rodeka, Mike Cunningham and Regan Coldicott will provide goals.
This is another opportunity for young players to force their way into a regular starting slot. Seamus Ryder has skill and pace to spare, as has Joel Stevens.
Murray said it was tough watching the video of the Waitakere game.
"It was disappointing to see a video of the Waitakere match, and watch how simple errors set up their goals. We've got to be tighter this week."
Both Manawatu and Otago are level on one point each after two matches. Otago plundered six points from Manawatu last season with two good wins, and Murray aims for a similar haul this season.
Meanwhile, Otago United Youth beat Manawatu Youth 3-0 last week despite playing a man short for most of the game. Coach Tony Martin expects the same application this week in Christchurch.
Otago Utd v Manawatu
- Palmerston North, tomorrow
Otago United: Peter Evans, Tristan Prattley, Matt Joy, Morgan Day, Regan Coldicott, Seamus Ryder, Sam Mepham, Darren Overton, Harley Rodeka, Michael Cunningham, Joel Stevens, Craig Ferguson, Tom Connor, Nick Hindson.
• The Footballsouth women's youth team has become an anomaly in the national competition.
Despite having the third top scorer and one of the best goalkeepers in its ranks the team is struggling, without a win this season.
Striker Mary Fraser's incisive and clinical finishing has earned five goals to achieve a third-equal position in the Golden Boot race.
Tessa Nicol shows all the requisites for a top keeper, but despite good leadership by captain Chelsea Martin, the Footballsouth team has been erratic: one minute brilliant, the next abysmal.
Today in Christchurch, coach Nick Rzepecky will hope to reverse the 4-2 loss sustained last time against Mainland, but his side starts without top players Sam Muirhead and Una Madden. He has added Amber Mulhill Larsen and Paige Aitcheson to the squad.
Rzepecky said the last few weeks had been tough to swallow, knowing the side had played some great football and led at certain points in each game before conceding the lead and the game.
"We have continued to improve in every game so far, and will aim for more consistency this week against our Canterbury rivals," he said.
