They only just missed out on promotion last year, losing 4-3 on aggregate to Palmerston North Marist.
While Stop Out will be without their prolific striker Joe Gaughan, who copped an 11-month ban recently after an on-field melee, defensive questions will be asked by Athletic as they try to hold out such a strong attacking team.
A striker like Gaughan does not score 24 goals in a season on his own - it takes the team working behind him who provide the opportunities to score.
However, Athletic will be buoyed by the fact they had the best defensive record in the Lotto Federation League, conceding seven goals in 14 games, and not losing a match along the way.
"We are all in good spirits and we have earned this playoff chance, without a doubt," said player-coach Troy Smith.
"We have had an amazing run and we have no intention of stopping now.
"We will be looking at our experienced players in the side to give that little bit extra and set the standard for everyone."
That experience comes in the form of a core quad of players who have Central League experience and form the spine of the Reds formation. Goalkeeper Nick Hayward, midfielders James Oxtoby and Troy Smith and striker Josh Smith all have good resumes that include Central League and ASB Premiership experience amongst their achievements, including a Chatham Cup victory for Oxtoby while he was at Wairarapa United.
That core of players will need to call upon all their reserves of experience and passion, and lift the Reds to a new level today if they are to make a good start in this home leg. While scoring goals will always be the main focus, denying Stop Out away goals will be crucial as well, with the scores from both legs combined to give the winner their step up to the big stage.
The match kicks off at 2.30pm at Wembley Park, so be sure to get there early and grab yourself a good spot to take in the match.
This will be an epic battle for 90 minutes, with plenty of passion and footballing skill on show. It's not one to miss.
While Athletic will be battling for their promotion today, Wanganui City will be off to Palmerston North to put the Takaro Titanz in their place.
City capped off an amazing season to be 10 points clear at the top of the Western Premiership, and out of reach of any of the chasing teams, therefore claiming the 2014 title as their own.
Takaro are typically a brutally physical team, but they have not troubled City on the scoresheet in their last two meetings, with City claiming a 9-1 and 5-0 win in each encounter.
City coach Kelvin Francis will not be wanting to see his team take the foot off the pedal, even with a spot cleared in the trophy cabinet already, and would have reminded his players through the week that he will be expecting more of the same from the last two weeks' performances.
City have shaken off the slump, which had them stuttering a mere four weeks ago, and have returned to their dominant playing style.
Carl Bond is absent this weekend, but their midfield will still be strong as Chris Annabell will be the man anchoring the play and controlling the flow, as he has done all season.
This should be a good chance for City to put a big score on the board and prove why they sit atop the mountain this season.
I'm picking a big score here, unchallenged by the Titanz, and it could reach double digits if the City boys find their feet early.
