The visiting side will go for its fourth win in a row, a feat not managed by any Otago team since the 2006 season, when Otago won its first five games in the national provincial championship.
Otago is on a roll - of that there is no doubt - and does not want it to go off the rails against bottom-of-the-table Northland.
Good teams do not go to places like Whangarei and lose to Northland, a side down on luck and form.
The home side is winless and has not even bagged a bonus point all year, failing to get close enough in any of its games or score four tries in a match.
Northland has not had a huge amount of luck this year, losing key players such as former Otago and Highlanders back Dan Bowden to injury, and also running foul of referees on many occasions.
But bad luck can only run so deep in the blame game.
Northland has been inaccurate in much of what it has done and has also lacked fitness in the back end of games.
Otago coach Cory Brown, though, is not getting ahead of himself and is taking the Northland challenge extremely seriously.
''They have got some really good players and they are more than overdue for a win,'' he said.
''We won't be taking them lightly at all.''
Bagging a fourth straight win would help continue the momentum, especially as the playoffs are just around the corner.
Brown said Otago was performing well and players were making the most of the opportunity when they came into the team.
Depth in the squad was a real help, and competition for places brought out the best in players.
Otago had recovered well from the win over North Harbour and was focused on keeping up the momentum heading into the playoffs.
It is assured of a semifinal berth, and will secure third spot should it win tonight.
It is a long shot to host a semifinal, as Wellington and Hawkes Bay appear to have the top two places in the championship sewn up.
To get the win, Otago knows it has to do the basics well and not give Northland a sniff.
Michael Collins comes back into the midfield after a good spell at fullback while Fletcher Smith, who started the season at No10, gets another opportunity to start in the position.
Northland has a solid front row and will be looking to make an impact in the set piece.
Otago last played in Whangarei in 2013, when it recorded a 31-21 victory.
Northland won last year's game, also played on a Wednesday night, 40-23.
The match will be officiated by former Dunedin referee Liam Scanlon, who is now based in Christchurch.
Fine weather is forecast for Whangarei tonight.
Otago v Northland
Whangarei, today, 7.35pm
Otago: Tony Ensor, Jayden Spence, Michael Collins, Tei Walden, Jack Wilson, Fletcher Smith, Josh Renton, Charlie O'Connell, James Lentjes, Jackson Hemopo, Blair Tweed, Josh Dickson, Donald Brighouse, Liam Coltman, Aki Seiuli. Reserves: Sekonaia Pole, Hisa Sasagi, Craig Millar, Adam Knight, Naulia Dawai, Kaide Whiting, Peter Breen, Sio Tomkinson.
Northland: Matt Wright, Dave Thomas, Warren Dunn, Troy Gilbert, Jordan Hyland, Dan Hawkins, Sam Nock, Dan Pryor, Taniela Manu, Jaycob Manu, Shane Neville, Sean Sweetman, Namatahi Waa, Matt Moulds (captain), Ross Wright. Reserves: Jordan Olsen, Howard Sililoto, Matai Navarez, Michael Stolberg, Kara Pryor, Kurt Davies, Tyler Lansdowne, Waisea Lawbuka.
Referee: Liam Scanlon (Canterbury)
