Defending champions Waitakere United host struggling Canterbury United tomorrow in their last national soccer league match before travelling to Japan for the club World Cup.
Following a tough 2-1 win over near-rivals Auckland City on Wednesday, unbeaten Waitakere will want to leave on a high against New ZealandFootball Championship (NZFC) opponents who have lost all three of their games this year by one goal.
Injured Waitakere captain Danny Hay is still sidelined but it shouldn't prevent his side winning comfortably at home, although probably not by the league record 9-1 margin set when the teams met last season.
League leaders Manawatu can feel Waitakere breathing down their necks but can retain their three-point margin if they beat Hawke's Bay United in Palmerston North.
Manawatu's Korean striker Park Sung-Bae returns from injury to replace Brook Tozer and he will probably partner Jason Hayne, who has scored an NZFC-leading five goals this season.
Former All Whites defender Che Bunce returns for Hawke's Bay, while coach Jonathan Gould is sweating over the knee injury to English import striker Daniel Kirkup.
The other fixture tomorrow sees an understrength Auckland City travel to face Wellington, where they have won five and drawn one of their six meetings.
James Pritchett, Keryn Jordan and Riki van Steeden will miss the match after picking up injuries against Waitakere.
Brian Little has returned to Wellington after two seasons with Auckland and lines up against his old club.
The Sunday match sees fifth-placed Waikato FC host sixth-placed Otago United in Ngaruawahia, with both teams chasing their second win of the season.
