Marquis Wairarapa United will go a long way towards claiming their first Central League football title if they beat defending champions Miramar Rangers at Howard Booth Park, Carterton, tomorrow.
Not only would victory ensure, at the very least, that Wairarapa United retain their four-point cushion at the top of the competition table but it would do huge harm to Miramar Rangers' hopes of securing a second successive title.
Conversely, a Miramar Rangers win would have exactly the opposite effect, moving them into a strong challenging position and very probably reducing Wairarapa United's lead to just a solitary point.
The wake-up call received by Wairarapa United in their 0-0 draw with cellar-dwellers Maycenvale United in Hastings last weekend was just what the doctor ordered leading into a match of this importance.
While there were strong performances from the likes of goalkeeper Phil Imray, Waisake Sabatu and Tim Schaeffers on defence Wairarapa United's attacking play lacked its customary zest and, consequently, a good number of prime scoring chances came to nothing.
An effort of that type against a team of Miramar Rangers calibre would, of course, lead to almost certain defeat but such is the experience and talent in the Wairarapa United line-up the prospects of that happening should be practically nil.
In fact, it should have the effect of sparking them back into life in a manner which spells bad news for their opposition.
It will be interesting to see what format Wairarapa United play, with coach Phil Keinzley suggesting earlier in the week he might experiment with a 4-5-1 system rather than the usual 4-4-2. If that were the case, Paul Ryder would be the sole striker with prolific goal scorer Seule Soromon dropping back into the midfield.
The idea would be to strengthen the Wairarapa United defence by making it harder for Miramar Rangers to deliver unobstructed possession to their front runners but it would clearly detract from Wairarapa United's attacking play.
Particularly since Soromon is at his most lethal when given an unrestricted licence to attack from anywhere and everywhere.
He has the natural flair and ball skills to penetrate practically any defensive structure and it would seem a pity to adopt tactics which could lessen his effectiveness.
The match with Miramar Rangers is, of course, only the start of a hugely important Queen's Birthday Weekend for Wairarapa United.
On Monday they will travel to New Plymouth to play local club Rangers, in what they hope will be the first step along the way towards them successfully defending the Chatham Cup, and if ever there was a "banana skin" game this would have to be it.
From all accounts, Rangers are a competent, no-frills type of team and they will relish the chance to take on the cup holders in front of what is sure to be a very vocal home crowd.
It will be vital to the Wairarapa United cause they start well and secure an early goal, something which will always help to take the crowd out of the equation.
They should win but, as in any knockout match, the prospects of an upset can never be dismissed.