KEY POINTS:
There is a surreal look to this weekend's New Zealand Football Championship round with injuries, suspensions and the loss of players to the under-23 team trying to qualify for this year's Beijing Olympics.
Adding to the intrigue is a double-header in Auckland as the two principals in the championship race have home games again South Island opposition in games which, according to the bookies, are already decided before a ball has been kicked.
Waitakere United, now within three points of leaders Auckland City and with a game in hand, return for the second week in a row to the outer oval at North Harbour Stadium to play a Canterbury United team who come north buoyed by their first win of the season.
Danny Hay, a late withdrawal from Waitakere's lineup a week ago, is still sidelined by that hamstring injury. He is joined by Hoani Edwards and Paul Seaman - both suspended - and the unavailable Neil Emblen.
They are also without under-23 international Jason Hayne and Benjamin Totori who is on Olympic duty with the Solomon Islands in Fiji.
Canterbury need a point from their remaining matches to avoid matching Hawkes Bay (only five in the 2005-06 season) as the worst-performed team in the league.
Auckland City will have Tamati Williams in goal for their game against Otago United in their last game at their adopted home at the Croatian Cultural Society.
Craig Wylie is also back in the City squad with Adam McGeorge and Luis del Monte overlooked by coach Colin Tuaa.
City, 2-0 winners in previous clashes this season, should complete the trifecta against an Otago side without their Americans Kevin Taylor, Terry Alvino and Chad Severs who have returned home.
With only eight goals from their 16 (of 21) games, Otago are in danger of replacing Hawkes Bay (16 goals) as the lowest-scoring team in the competition's history.
Third-placed Team Wellington, with three straight wins, face a stern test at home to Waikato FC. YoungHeart Manawatu are again home to play Hawkes Bay United.
