Key matches in upcoming days give Auckland City a golden chance to take big steps towards the New Zealand Football Championship and O-League crowns.
Already three points clear of Waitakere United in the NZFC, City can stretch that to six (and nine over third-placed Team Wellington) with ahome win over YoungHeart Manawatu tomorrow. They could maintain at least that advantage when they play cellar-dwellers Canterbury United, also at home, a week later. City's cause is helped with Waitakere away this weekend - in Tahiti on O-League business.
In between their two championship outings, City meet Waitakere, also at the Croatian Cultural Society's West Auckland ground in Wednesday's key O-League clash.
Already ahead of Waitakere on goal difference after the first games against Tahiti's AS Manu Ura, City will be hoping Waitakere drop points in Papeete tomorrow night and can then take maximum points midweek.
It will be a tough week for the Danny Hay-led Waitakere side.
They fly to Tahiti this afternoon, play tomorrow, return on Sunday, clash with Auckland City on Wednesday and travel again on Saturday to play Hawkes Bay United.
City's injury woes are slowly easing with James Pritchett and Craig Wylie now back in contention. Jeff Campbell, however, faces a fitness test before tomorrow's game.
Manawatu are without their leading scorer Gonzalo Nieres but Trent Watson returns from suspension. Goalkeeper Michael Utting is still out with an ankle injury.
Waikato FC coach Roger Wilkinson is still without injured Robert Gill but has Michael Gwyther back with Dale Beattie and Matt Friel. The trio have been included in the Waikato squad for the trip to Mt Maunganui for their game against Otago United, who come north with an unchanged squad from that which went down 1-0 to Wellington.
Canterbury United coach Korouch Monsef welcomes back Andy Pitman for the home game against Hawkes Bay United - a clash which gives the southerners a chance to cap a recent run of encouraging form with a win.
Canterbury have lost 10 on the trot. They have gone 14 without a win - perilously close to Otago's record of 16.
