The squeeze is on. After a third of the FootballSouth Premier League season, there is a congested mid-table, in which only four points cover five teams.
Undefeated Caversham is a clear leader, despite having drawn twice, and is four points ahead at the top of the league.
Coach Tim Horner has his side playing attractive, open football with 23 goals scored, yet still remaining tight at the back, having conceded only seven, an average of one goal per game.
Captain Seamus Ryder is backed by a hard core of experienced players, but Caversham fans are warming to the younger talent of Brett Clifford playing wide, Sam Collier, Lewis Jackson, Tore Waechev, Michael Hogan, goal-grabber Callum Flaws and born-again utility Rhys Henderson.
The swarming style of Caversham, with crisp passing and interchanging of positions, allows Horner's team to create space and make goal-scoring chances - which are not always taken - but as understanding grows, more shots will hit the opposition net.
However, Roslyn-Wakari showed last week that obdurate defence can stifle the Reds, and Northern will aim to repeat that style at the Caledonian Ground today.
After an abysmal start, Northern coaches Murray Devereux and Jeff Satterthwaite now have a tighter unit that can defend and attack, as shown by the 3-0 halftime scoreline achieved last week against Queenstown.
Seamus Gray's good technique paid off, with a near perfect free kick for the first goal, then Taylor Quirk chimed in, and later set up Cam Higgins for an impressive 3-0 lead.
Second-placed University - new holder of the Blair Davidson Challenge Trophy after last week's win over Mosgiel - plays Roslyn at Ellis Park.
This is a novel Varsity side that has throttled back in attack, having scored only eight goals this season, compared with the cavalier 37 hammered in last year.
However, the students have been equally frugal in defence, conceding just four goals in seven matches, the best record in the FPL. This rare student statistic has been masterminded by centreback Peter Overmire, Logan Wrightwebb, Henry Flood and Noah Goss-Woliner.
Roslyn has conceded nearly four times as many goals, yet despite not having a traditional striker, coach Colin Thom unleashes the hectic energy of Fraser Cameron and Damo Foster, with wide support from Isaac Nicholson, and the receiving skills of Mike Sannum.
The team's real strength is in midfield, where captain Aajay Cunningham, Tom Connor and Cam Attwood are the hard core. Despite having lost Sam Mepham and Jacob Schneider, the middle is still competitive.
Dunedin Technical travels to Queenstown, and coach Aaron Burgess' side is still adjusting to the loss of Richard Smith, and possibly Alistair Rickerby. Scottish striker Tom McBride has retired.
Burgess himself has had to drop back to central defence, but might have Matt Joy back from injury, which will give a solid platform at the back. Technical will look for goals from the league's top striker, Taylor McCormack, who already has five.
Queenstown coach Jamie Whitmarsh has still to come to terms with the balance of experience and emerging youngsters, but when the Rovers' best side is fielded, it can compete with anyone.
It is sleeves-up time again at Memorial Park, where Mosgiel has its local derby against Green Island. Five points ahead in fourth place, the Plainsmen start as favourites.
Midfield maestro Morgan Day has carried his effective national league form into local football, setting a good example for the likes of Rahan Ali, Cody Brook, Matt Kelly and Riley Anderton.
Still smarting after losing the Challenge Trophy last week to Varsity, Mosgiel coach Andrew Brook is demanding a return to winning ways.
Second-bottom Green Island has lost a couple of key players, but with young Josh Dijkstra capable of mopping up behind Liam Dungey, Cam McPhail and Nathan Gunn, and the attack still showing pace in Matt Mitchell and Nik Meglinski, coach Malcolm Fleming will aim to at least share the points.
In women's games tomorrow, Dunedin Technical's premiers play the Diamonds at Culling Park, and University plays Roslyn-Wakari at Logan Park.
