KEY POINTS:
In A sport where scoring goals are all-important, it is interesting the two in-form teams have backed their ability at one end with sterling efforts at the other.
New NZFC leaders Waitakere United go into Sunday's away game against YoungHeart Manawatu without having conceding a goal for a league record 485 minutes.
Just as interestingly, Team Wellington, challenging Auckland City for second place, have almost matched that going 484 minutes since they last gave up a goal.
Waitakere need only one clean sheet in their last three games to equal their 2004-05 record of 11.
All eyes on Saturday will be at Kiwitea St where City return to their home ground and a new playing surface. It has not been easy for Colin Tuaa and his team in recent times. He has been left to pretty much go it alone after assistant coach Clive Campbell's exit. He has also lost key players to injury, illness and suspension.
Those woes continue this week with captain Ben Sigmund out for the last two NZFC regular season games after copping his sixth yellow of the season. George Suri, back from suspension, replaces him, but they are also without defender Salesh Kumar.
Waikato FC will again pose problems but their inability to score away from home with just one goal in their last seven outings will not give coach Roger Wilkinson a lot of confidence as he brings an unchanged side north.
Waitakere, who have their youngsters in Christchurch on Saturday for the National Youth League final against Canterbury in a game which should have been played in Auckland but was switched when a suitable venue could not be found, will be all out to ensure there is no slip up in Palmerston North.
They have lost Neil Sykes to suspension but otherwise head south with the same squad including Fijian speedster Roy Krishna who might see more game time this week.
YoungHeart Manawatu, who have done nothing since their last home win over Waitakere, will need to find some form or face another drubbing.
Hawkes Bay are without Jonathon Taylor, who is getting married, and Chris McIvor, his best man, for their home game against Otago who, apart from the top three, have picked up more points than any other side in recent weeks.
