Otago United is a genuine semifinal chance, but the examination does not get much tougher than playing Waitakere in Auckland tomorrow.
An impressive 3-1 win over the side from the capital last week has given Otago United a cushion of four points ahead of fourth-placed Wellington, although Otago United coach Malcolm Fleming acknowledges there is still plenty of football left to be played.
Four games are left in the season, starting with the match in Auckland tomorrow against a Waitakere side which is second on goal difference behind Auckland City.
Otago United has never beaten Waitakere and the northern side will start the match with plenty of confidence, as Otago is missing key midfielders Robbie Deeley and Andy Coburn.
Both have picked up four yellow cards and are suspended for the match.
Fleming said the duo would be missed, as they had played well against Wellington, but there was the plus of Nathan Knox back into the squad, returning from a hamstring injury.
"The likes of Morgan Day played well against Wellington and showed he is capable of playing at this level.
But the guys are training hard and everyone is fitting in well," Fleming said.
"With three games to go in the season after this one, the season is in our hands but in saying that we can still finish well off the pace if we don't perform."
The top four square off in two-leg semifinals but Fleming repeated there was too much football still to play for Otago to even start thinking about play-offs.
Otago and Waitakere played out a 1-1 draw at Carisbrook earlier in the season, and Fleming said that should give his side some confidence.
But Otago United will not get much comfort from its last trip to Auckland, when it lost 5-0 to Auckland.
"We were in that match for 60 minutes but then with a couple of changes and in the heat, the guys found it tough going."
Otago United has two out of its last three games at home to finish the season, but teams below it have games in hand.
Waitakere attacker Benjamin Totori is not included in the side to play tomorrow.
Otago Utd v Waitakere
Auckland, 2pm tomorrow
Otago United: James Waggett, Mike Abbott, Tristan Prattley, Dave Shaw, Mike Smith, Tam Sadd, Stu Kelly, Ryan Faichnie, Dave Dugdale, Darren Ede, Tom Connor, Morgan Day, Tim Homer, Nathan Knox, Ben Light, Rhys Henderson, Harley Rodeka.
Waitakere: Danny Robinson, Jason Rowley, Aaron Scott, Tim Myers, Martin Bullock, Brent Fisher, Allan Pearce, Neil Sykes, Roy Krishna, Neil Emblen, Jake Butler, Zane Sole, Dakota Lucas, Ryan de Vries, Jack Pelter, Liam Little.
