O-LEAGUE: * AS Manu Ura V Auckland City * Stade Paea, Papeete 6.15pm today (NZ time) NZ CHAMPIONSHIP: * Team Wellington v Waitakere United * Newtown Park, 5pm tomorrow
Waitakere United have plenty on their minds heading into the only New Zealand Football Championship game of the weekend.
Brought forward a week to accommodate Waitakere's O-League game with AS Magenta, tomorrow's clash with Team Wellington at Newtown Park gives Waitakere the chance to sneak three points clear at thetop of the NZFC table.
But they remain fully aware that Auckland City, in Tahiti for today's O-League battle with AS Manu Ura, have games in hand and a vastly superior goal difference.
Waitakere coach Neil Emblen is not dismissing Stu Jacobs' side despite their indifferent season.
"This is a dangerous fixture," said Emblen.
"At one stage they won four out of five and have shown they have got the players but just haven't clicked all the time. But, having said that, they have not done so well at home."
In five games at Newtown Park, Wellington have won only once - 2-1 over Waikato FC.
Waitakere are likely to be at full strength with Aaron Scott poised to return and play his 75th NZFCF game. With next week's O-League fixture in mind and knowing Jason Rowley will be unavailable through suspension, Emblen is likely to play Scott, himself, Tim Myers and Neil Sykes at the back.
Central defender Jack Pelter, who has made a decent fist of his chances since joining the United squad, might be rested to allow the ankle he twisted in last Sunday's win over Otago more time to ensure he is ready for the O-League game.
Team Wellington, needing to bounce back from their 0-1 home loss to Hawkes Bay last Sunday, will need to be at their best to contain a United side who showed their best attacking form of the season in putting four into the Otago net.
Auckland City are without Grant Young, who had visa difficulties, and Keryn Jordan, who has not been sighted since injury ended his Club World Cup involvement, but are otherwise close to full strength with only Adam Dickinson (suspended) not in Papeete.
Paul Urlovic and Milosh Nikolic get their chances to join Daniel Kopricvic in the attack with Chad Coombes, who has scored in two of City's three O-League games.
With seven of a maximum nine points after the first three games, City are well-placed to top the group but are fully aware any dropped points could allow Waitakere to head them after the group decider on March 27.
