It's in or out in the cup, notwithstanding the drama of possible extra time and penalty shootouts, while the dogged stamina required to win the FPL needs consistent results over 18 matches.
So coaches with serious ambitions try to juggle team selections, and none more so than Cup contenders Caversham and Dunedin Technical.
Both clubs have recently enlarged their squads with an eye to earning national recognition.
Since the South Island league may not take place, all that is left is the Chatham Cup.
Caversham has been swamped by the return of students at American universities, Patrick Fleming, Tom Jackson and Seamus Ryder.
Along with that trio, also came Americans Dave Butler and Taylor Powers, and even more recently, Englishman Tom Schwarz arrived at Tonga Park.
The old adage of only being able to field 11 players comes to mind, and coach Steve Fleming will have the problem of whom to leave out as he confirms his top selection.
Dunedin Technical has also recently strengthened its squad by signing Tim Myers, an experienced centreback, from Waitakere United.
Myers, who represented New Zealand at under-17 and under-20 levels, may be the final element in a Technical squad that already includes the experienced core of Andy Coburn, Blair Scoullar, Aaron Burgess and Justin Flaws.
However, Dyer may not be in action on Monday, since cup regulations require that new signings play two official matches for their new club to qualify.
The new defender could play in today's match against Queenstown in Central Otago.
Never an easy place to visit, Queenstown will provide a good blow-out for Technical before Monday's cup tie at Tonga Park, which kicks off at 2pm.
Caversham will also enjoy the chance to fine-tune its squad today at Tonga Park, against Northern, which is still searching for convincing form, and will have to contain the sharpshooting trio of Robbie Deeley, Harley Rodeka and Ant Hancock, who have scored 22 goals between them.
Another possible cup candidate is Mosgiel, quietly waiting in the wings, with a stiff FPL match against Grants Braes today at Ocean Grove, to prepare for its tie with Green Island at Memorial Park.
The Island faces University today in the league at the Caledonian Ground and the students must start as the favourites, since the Island has struggled at both ends, leaking goals and failing to score.
Roslyn-Wakari plays Spirit FC at Ellis Park today and faces an awkward trip to Invercargill on Monday to further its cup ambitions against Southend United, which will be reinforced by Spirit players since that amalgamated club may not enter the Chatham Cup.
