Cheek by jowl at the foot of the ASB Premiership, both sides desperately need a win if they are not to be isolated at the foot of the competition table.
Manawatu has no points and, in fact, coach Bob Sova's side has yet to score a goal after four matches. Otago has one point from a meritorious away draw in Auckland, and has scored two goals via Ant Hancock and Paul Seaman.
It is a measure of change in this year's competition that next up on the league table is Auckland in third-bottom place after playing five games.
And the same change has affected Otago, which now fields a raft of ambitious youngsters trying to clinch regular spots at top level.
Tristan Prattley, Morgan Day, Hayden Gunn, Ant Hancock, Callum Flaws, Liam Lockhart, Sam Mepham, Harley Rodeka, and even Tom Connor and Alistair Rickerby have not been regulars.
"It's very much a work in progress with those lads, who all have the potential, and are working hard at training to get their patterns of play correct Fleming said."
Certainly Prattley and recently Connor have moved up a gear and look good prospects as attacking fullbacks, especially alongside seasoned central defenders.
However, captain Tim Horner is still absent with a youth side in Singapore, and Fleming will likely have to keep midfielder Andy Coburn withdrawn alongside Tom Sadd in a centre half pairing.
Target man Phil Ruggles receives the ball well, and his developing partnership with young Hancock could be a key factor in Otago's attack during Sunday's match.
Sorting out a balanced midfield is Fleming's main chore, with Paul Seaman looking fitter each week, Nathan Knox showing out as Otago's best performer, and James Reichwein trying to recapture last season's impressive form.
Just how the Otago coach leavens his mix with the likes of Day, Rodeka, Gunn, Lockhart and Mepham is unlikely to be revealed before kick-off.
Statistics favour Manawatu with eight wins and five draws in 16 encounters, but Fleming will stress last year's impressive 3-0 win earned by Otago in Palmerston North, and will look for a similar commitment.
Former Otago defender Irishman Colin Falvey and Nathan Cooksley were shown the red card in Manawatu's 3-0 loss to Waikato FC last weekend, and now Sova faces the unenviable task of replacing these two starters.
"We've got a few injury problems, obviously," Sova said. "We have still got three, maybe four lads out this weekend, and of course there's Falvey and Cooksley suspended, so we're actually quite depleted."
However, the presence of wide striker Jason Hayne will threaten Otago, with his pace and experience from participation in three World Club Cup campaigns, and rocklike defender Adam Cowan is a good organiser.
"We need to keep our nerve, despite the pressure, and deliver the quality that we are capable of. There are three very valuable points up for grabs," Fleming said.
OTAGO UNITED v MANAWATU
- Palmerston North, tomorrow, noon
• Otago: Adam Highfield, Tristan Prattley, Hayden Gunn, Tom Sadd, Nathan Knox, Paul Seaman, Anthony Hancock, Phil Ruggles, Andy Coburn, James Reichwein, Alistair Rickerby, Morgan Day, Harley Rodeka, Tom Connor, Callum Flaws, Liam Lockart, Sam Mepham.
• Manawatu: Matt Borren, Nobuyoshi Ishi, Matt Smith, Josh Chettleburgh, Matt Kennedy, Jason Hayne, Jono Steele, Michael White, Adam Cowan, Hamish Mackay, Michael Mcknight, Michael Fraser, Dale Higham, Ben Wilkes, Willie Hodge, Jared Bloor, Greg O'Connor.
