Although the finishing was poor last weekend, the attacking intent of Athletic was definitely there, with players like Josh Smith and Anthony Bell providing worries for every defence they've come up against, backed up by the talent and experience of players such as James Oxtoby and English import Joe Sowden providing good delivery for the strikers.
Expect veteran keeper Nick Hayward to set his defensive line with razor wire this weekend, in an effort to record another clean sheet for the season. Hayward's athleticism between the sticks has seen him frustrate many opposition attacks, and today will be no different as Havelock North look to storm his area and ripple the net behind him.
It's from that foundation Athletic will need to build their game plan, and mount their own attack.
An early goal will dispel any jitters they may be having, but it will be important to control the pace and style of the match if they're to continue putting themselves in front of goal.
This could be the game where Athletic will put on a scoring master class, but I'm picking this one to be another of missed opportunities, and finishing 2-1 to the Reds.
Monday brings Federation Cup football to Wembley Park as Wanganui City, who have been rampant in the Western Premiership, host Inglewood, who currently sit in the bottom half of the Taranaki Premier division.
Cup football is always exciting as a result must be obtained, meaning the game could go to extra time and penalties should neither team have the ascendancy at full-time.
Kelvin Francis, coach of Wanganui City, will be sure to convey this message to his team as they look to continue their march towards the Federation Cup title.
Keeper Jason Fergusson will not be happy, having conceded another goal last weekend, and will surely be nipping at the heels of his backline to ensure it doesn't happen again this weekend.
City's first-round cup fixture against Hawera saw them finish 3-3 at the end of regulation, meaning the game went to extra time and a goal from Jamie Lambie sent the boys in black and yellow through to the next round.
If they want to progress through again, they'll need to be more clinical than they were last time and ensure they can hold out the Inglewood attackers, while keeping them in their own half.
Expect to see Chris Annabell play a big part in this match, as his marshalling of the midfield will define the tone, while Adrian Ngaau and Dylan Howells will have to work hard to bring their clean sheet record into their cup fixtures.
Be sure to keep an eye on emerging talent Marcus Jones, who just last year was playing in the local under-15 grade and is now starting to become a regular sighting for the first team each week.
Usually playing in the defence, Jones has shown he has all the goods to foot it with the big boys and has performed solidly each time he's taken the park. Even at his age, the teenager is showing that he has a bright future in football and is already giving back to the game by coaching an under-8s team on Saturday mornings.
