Can the gap between the top four and the rest be closed?
That will be one of the big questions for the 2018/19 national football premiership.
Two of the teams from that top group — Auckland City and Team Wellington — got things under way last weekend.
Auckland prevailed 4-3 in that contest between what may once again prove the competition’s two top teams this season.
Canterbury United and Eastern Suburbs finished third and fourth respectively last year, and also look strong once again.
There was an eight-point gap from there.
Southern United performed extremely well to win the ‘‘best of the rest’’ title in fifth place.
It edged sixth-placed Tasman United in the final game to claim that.
Both teams were markedly improved on their 2016-17 performances, although backing up is never easy.
Southern looks to have added quality to its side, while Tasman has suffered the notable loss of Paul Ifill, although it has brought in many new players.
In 2016-17 Hawke’s Bay United was the surprise package in making the top four.
Last season proved more challenging for Hawke’s Bay, although the side is said to be looking stronger again this year, and has an All White on its books in Cameron Lindsay.
Beneath it Waitakere United was far from the force it was was, while the Wellington Phoenix Reserves and Hamilton Wanderers have typically struggled.
It is from last season’s top four that the winner is likely to come.
There is quality littered throughout those sides.
Auckland City has a host of familiar names — notably Dunedin product Cameron Howieson, in his third season back from the UK.
Team Wellington has a pair of All Whites in Justin Gulley and Henry Cameron, while also possessing former Southern players Tom Jackson and Eric Molloy.
Tim Payne and Andre de Jong are a dangerous duo for Suburbs, while Canterbury retinns key striker Stephen Hoyle.
