Dunedin Technical leads Caversham by six points in the Footballsouth Premier League, and today's match at the Caledonian Ground will decide whether that margin grows or diminishes.
Caversham has two games in hand, which could be worth six competition points, but it is an old adage that points in the hand are what count.
The 2.45pm kick-off will attract a large crowd since at least one other senior fixture has been rescheduled to allow Technical players to cheer their side on to victory.
Both sides realise the significance of the match, and while Caversham is still involved in an exciting Chatham Cup run, for Technical this match, and a possible FPL championship, is all that is left to aim for this season.
Caversham convincingly knocked Technical out of the Cup with a clear 5-1 result after being tied 1-1 at halftime.
Last year, Caversham won the FPL championship, which it has dominated for a decade. But in the play-offs for the South Island Championship, Technical triumphed, despite Christchurch sides being involved.
Technical coach Mike Fridge is looking for a similar upset scenario in order to at least draw level in local football bragging rights this season.
Fridge has his trusted warriors in Aaron Burgess - leading FPL scorer on 11 goals - Andy Coburn, Blair Scoullar and Justin Flaws, backed by the box to box exuberance of midfielder George Milne, and the classy pace of Mike Flaws.
Technical will not have talented defenders Tim Myers and Tristan Prattley and may have a problem in goal, since regular keeper Cam Burns is injured and experienced Tony Boomer is overseas. It looks like utility Matt Scoles could be wearing the number one jersey.
Also, striker Alistair Rickerby is ill.
Caversham has lost one of its American guests with Dave Butler returning home for family reasons. However, Steve Fleming's squad still has depth and such quality that the starting team selection is never easy.
Fleming has tuned his squad like a maestro, spreading the load, giving fringe players a run, and twisting the knife in second-half pressure plays that have netted 21 goals in three matches.
Tim Horner has been immaculate in central defence, Blair Duncan and Darren Overton are passing with precision, and the cavalry of Patrick Fleming, Tom Jackson, Harley Rodeka and Ant Hancock are in blistering form.
The match will be predictably feisty, and could be as big a test for the refereeing team of Peter Faithful, Kenny Evans and Edward Cook as for the players.
Third on the FPL table, Roslyn-Wakari plays the improving Green Island side at Sunnyvale, and fourth-placed Mosgiel visits the Gardens to play Northern at 2.45pm.
University travels to play Queenstown, and another tough journey will be Grants Braes to Invercargill where Spirit lies in wait, undefeated for a month and keen to continue its climb up the table.
