Coach Nick Rzepecky is looking for improvements on last week's drawn effort against Central, in which his side leaked some soft goals.
However, there were also many positives to be taken from the game. The team battled to the end and was always looking for a win rather than settling for the draw. This is a step up from last year when Otago was in front on a few occasions only to end up losing.
This game will be about more than securing points and taking a step closer to the playoffs. This will be about bragging rights as the top team in the South Island.
Last year, this fixture was well contested in Dunedin, while the result in Christchurch was one-sided.
Most players in both squads came together earlier in the year to play in the quarterfinals of the national knock-out cup, so are starting to know each other well.
Unavailable for Footballsouth are Hanna English, Paige Aitcheson, Kate Guildford, Sammy Murrell, Claire Jones and Rhea Brisbane. But returning are the experienced Una Madden and Alex McIntosh.
Another positive was the play from a few members within the squad who are new to this level of football.
Once they settled in, they showed maturity and experience beyond their years, which can only be good for Footballsouth and New Zealand Football.
Rzepecky's plan this weekend is simple: "Look to contain Mainland and take our opportunities when we create them. We know Mainland are a strong squad but we feel we can match them".
Footballsouth women
To play Mainland
• Tessa Nicol, Steph Upton, Alice Foote, Sara Stannard, Kushla Glover, Mary Fraser, Chelsea Martin, Shontelle Smith, Caitlyn Bloxham, Sam Muirhead, Jordyn Walker, Sammy Murrell, Chelsea Whittaker, Pelatia Schwartfeger, Lara Malcolm, Una Madden, Alex McIntosh.
