United have goalscorers in several positions.
Thistle play a possession-based game built on passing.
United played a shorter-passing game last year and won the Pacific Premiership, but they kept the long ball and quick counter-attack in their armoury. They are time-tested experts at the tactic.
It adds up to a fascinating contest of contrasting styles.
The big problem for any team playing United is how to stop player-coach Josh Adams from scoring. He has pace, power and a lethal left foot.
If they manage that, the next problem is how to stop his elder brother Corey coming through from midfield to score, or Dane Thompson heading one in or shooting from distance.
On Thistle's side, they'll have Jarom Brouwer back on the field, probably in a front-running role. He's not an out-and-out striker, but he's fast and skilful, and knows the way to goal.
Thistle coach Garrett Blair said that in a lot of games his players had done the right things but lacked someone to finish with a goal.
“That might change now,” he said.
Thistle would aim to keep possession and move the ball quickly.
“If we can do that, I think it will go a long way to tiring them out,” Blair said.
“We've done a lot of work on fitness. I think for us the key will be making the game as long as possible. The last half-hour is really tough physically.
“We know they like to play through the middle, and they have a really good midfield who get on the ball and shift it quickly, so we want to prevent them from doing that.
“It will be about shutting their ball-players down quickly and turning possession over.
“If we try to play a high-tempo brand of football, it will go a long way towards making the game long and hard.
“They are still a really good footballing side and we'll give them the respect they deserve. They could be footing it in the Federation League if they wanted to, no doubt about it.”
Thistle would be without central midfielder Nick Land, who was still sore with a rib injury he received in the first minute of the game against Napier City Rovers two weeks ago, Blair said.
Defender Kuba Jerabek was also still out. His ankle injury had been X-rayed and it was not a break, but it needed time to heal.
Thistle's starting line-up would likely be drawn from Mitchell Stewart-Hill or Mark Baple in goal; Leo Maisey, Andre Riley, Ryan Anderson (captain) and Alex Davies in defence; Kieran Venema, Ash McMillan, Matt McVey and Cullen Spawforth in midfield; and Travis White, Brouwer and Sam Patterson up front.
That would leave on the bench Cory Thomson, PJ Goodlett, Raydon Semmens, Daniel Venema and the reserve keeper.
Josh Adams said United's only uncertainty over player availability related to striker Stu Cranswick.
“He's had the flu but he was back at work today,” Adams said yesterday.
“We'll put him through a fitness test on Saturday.”
Aaron Graham and Cranswick play for the United Firsts in the Eastern League but are playing for the Prems in the Federation Cup campaign.
“It'll be a full-on game,” Adams said.
“It'll be quick, with lots of attacks.
“I think the biggest thing for our team is that we don't want to go out there and revolve our game around what Thistle are doing. We want to build our style of football.
“If we're going to score goals, we have to go out and play our game. It's been shown over the past five years that we're a team of natural goalscorers — Stu (Cranswick), Corey (Adams), Dane (Thompson) and Malcolm (Marfell).
“As a team we're just a bunch of mates who enjoy each other's company.”
Adams was not letting on who would be in the run-on side, but they would be chosen from goalkeeper Seth Piper; defenders Adam Simpson, Jonny Curle, Mal Scammell, Kieran Higham and Marfell; midfielders Baxter Mackay, Thompson, Corey Adams and Graham; and strikers Josh Adams and Cranswick. Josh Blair and Corey Boocock would be joined on the bench by one other. Some players can be used in more than one position.
• How will Thistle cope with the United strike force?
• Who will win the midfield battle?
• Can Thistle break through the United defence and score?
Martin Roil, of Hawke's Bay, will referee the game.
The curtainraiser, an Eastern League third division game between Gizzy Bobcat Services Thistle and HES United Thirds, will start at 12 midday.
ALH Thistle Reserves are scheduled to be away tomorrow. They are to play Havelock North Wanderers Prems at Guthrie Park, Havelock North, at 3pm.
