With both teams still searching for their first win, today's fixture will likely be fraught with equal measures of desperation and determination, with a valuable mark in the win column at stake.
The Reds will be hungry for the win, and will certainly see this as their best opportunity to gel as a squad and play the type of football they've been so desperately trying to put on display.
Little has been seen to date of the attacking potency of Athletic, as in many of the games they have come up against opponents who have successfully pegged them into defending for much of the contest. If the Reds can bring the reliable workhorse that is Scott Burney into play up front by utilising their newfound midfield strength, there could well be some goals on offer at the Massey University grounds.
In a game which would appear to have little at stake, it promises to be open, with both teams looking to capitalise on the opportunity that awaits them at the opening whistle.
It's been a furious start to the local season, as the new Division One teams have battled to proclaim their dominance of the Whanganui footballing competition.
But with the final games of the first round coming to a close today, no individual squad has managed to stomp their dominance in the six team competition, meaning the subsequent rounds will be as furiously fought as the first.
Current league leaders St Anthony's Castlecliff, who sit atop the league by a single point due to the gruelling draw with the City Hammers last week, go up against last season's champions Marist Celtic at 2.30pm.
Celtic will be smarting after failing to replicate their opening round successes, falling to a 3-0 loss to league newcomers City Wanderers last week. Today's matchup will be the first meeting of 2015's rivals, in what promises to be a game full of attacking intent.
The City Hammers will be itching to face the Marist Bhoys at 12.30pm, with the Hammers currently holding the form over the Bhoys, who are languishing at the bottom of the table and are searching for their first points in the competition.
Meanwhile, the City Wanderers round out the day's Division One matches with their game against the Athletic Development side, who will surely be sporting a few of the Reserve team players due to their team's lack of a game today.
In the Men's Division Two fixtures, the Rivercity Chiefs take on league leaders Athletic Weekenders in another game that promises goal scoring, while the Rivercity Braves go up against Athletic Cosmos.
Second-placed Cosmos would be the favourites for the victory but must be wary of the Braves uncanny ability to cause an upset.
Castlecliff United, who due to bad luck are still yet to add a point to their tally this round, will have a hard task in front of them as they face a youthful City Thirsties.
A Marist derby closes out the round, with the Shamrocks hoping to continue their recent run of form and get the bragging rights of their orange-clad clubmates in the Casuals.
With the school holidays currently on, the women's league is put on hold, making way for the local club-only competition, the Senior Cup.
The Rivercity Scrappers, who had the benefit of a bye last weekend, will be looking to get started in the holiday-based competition, as they go up against the Clive Barrit Builder Marist ladies at 12.30pm, while Castlecliff Saints will be putting on a display of heartfelt determination as they face City Women.
