"Based on how both teams have performed this season we should take the three points from them," coach Jason King said.
"However, we have to be fully aware that last time we played they got a win over us. We've got to be conscious of that.
"That game was one of the poorest performances that we have put out this season so we've still got to make sure we do the job.
"We've played this team before. We know what we've got to do, pick the intensity up and make sure we play nothing like we did the last time."
After last week's storm cancelled men's football across the region all teams will be fresh from a week off.
"I think it was good in some way," King said. "I know right through the region there are a lot of people suffering from illnesses and that sort of stuff."
The downside was Athletic will have to regain the momentum they had been creating.
"Anytime you have a couple of wins on the trot and then have a break you lose that ability to continue on with that.
"But at the end of the day it's just another week off, we all have byes."
Three of the GVCA Athletic Reserves' leadership group - Richard Dalby, Daniel Timmins and Peter Czerwonka - will make the step up to the top side this afternoon.
King said they were three senior players in the club and it was important they kept their hand in at a higher level.
That means the Reserves will travel south to take on Levin AFC Premier in the Horizons Premiership with an a bit of a vacuum in experience.
But that was an opportunity for someone to step up, King said.
"I'm picking it should a really good match.
"It should be a good opportunity for some of the fringe players that are in the reserves to really put their own hand up and show some leadership."
City should have the easiest afternoon, playing Marist Development who are rooted to the bottom on the Horizons Premiership.
"For us it's more about how we play ourselves after having last weekend with no football," coach Kelvin Francis said.
"We just need to go out there and try and get some structure and play some good football. We've got a massive game next weekend."
A win next weekend will go most of the way to wrapping up the Premiership title, though City would still have to see off most of the league's top sides.
City will be without start defender Eli Fleming this afternoon.
"Which is a shame because he's a massive part of out backline," Francis said.
Marcus Jones will come in to replace him while City will also be boosted by the return of centre back Adrian Ngaau.
"Anthony's (10-goal striker Anthony Bell) ready to roll, looking to score some goals.
"We've trained well this week. Communication's been really good and ball speed's been good."
City won this fixture 8-0 last time with hat tricks to both Jordan Joblin-Hall and Jamie Lambe - both of who are now in the Marist set-up, albeit in higher leagues.
On Sunday Football Whanganui host Taradale AFC at Wembley 1 after last week's 6-1 loss at the hands of Marist.
Whanganui will be up against it as Taradale look to secure the title but Whanganui have a chance to continue to improve as they see an elusive win in the league's remaining three games.
Both Saturday's home men's matches kick off at 2.45pm while the Sunday women's game starts at 1pm.
