The Northern Mystics are hoping to bury last week's heartbreaking loss to the NSW Swifts with a strong showing against the second-placed Adelaide Thunderbirds in today's round 11 ANZ Championship clash.
After being the authors of their own misfortune in the opening stages of the competition, the Mystics'mid-season resurgence was halted last week with a dodgy umpiring call robbing them of a third straight win.
But the Mystics have a difficult job picking themselves up again for today's clash against a Thunderbirds side brimming with firepower and on a high after a 20-point drubbing of the Canterbury Tactix.
A monumental match on Sunday is sure to unfold as the NSW Swifts host the Queensland Firebirds in what has been billed as netball's State of Origin. A sell-out crowd is expected at the match, which will be crucial to both sides' semifinal chances.
The second game on Sunday will see the Canterbury Tactix take on the Central Pulse in Christchurch.
After a shock win over the Melbourne Vixens last weekend, the Southern Steel are out to claim another Aussie scalp when they take on West Coast Fever in Dunedin on Monday night.
ANZ CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 11
* Today: 2.30pm Northern Mystics v Adelaide Thunderbirds, Auckland.
* Tomorrow: 3.30pm NSW Swifts v Queensland Firebirds, Sydney; 5.30pm Canterbury Tactix v Central Pulse, Christchurch.
* Monday: 7pm Southern Steel v West Coast Fever, Dunedin; 9pm Melbourne Vixens v Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic, Melbourne.
The Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic face arguably their toughest test so far on the road against the Melbourne Vixens in Monday night's late game.
Stung by the unexpected loss to the Steel and back on home turf, the star-studded Vixens will be eager to re-establish their title credentials.
