"We know the type of team they are, they're having a solid season.
"We just got to believe in our game...we know we got goalscorers all over the park.
"If we get the ball, they can't score goals."
It has been a disjointed month of June for Athletic with two break weekends, which played a part in giving up a two goal lead for a very painful 3-2 defeat to rivals New Plymouth Rangers on June 16, all-but signalling the end of their League title chances.
King opted not to have the regular Tuesday night training session on June 19 to let his players recharge mentally.
"It was a bit taxing on us," he said.
"It was always going to be a bit like that if we didn't go on in the Cup [games]
"What we do now is up to us.
"We can sit there and go, 'it's out of reach'. Or we can got out and get what we want to get.
"The break can work in your favour...and it can have that negative side."
Wet weather this week meant Athletic have had to undertake two indoor training sessions – not ideal – but the squad is boosted by the two legs stepping off the plane at Auckland International Airport.
Ryan Holden has literally just got back from his holiday in England for his sister's wedding, and King was eager to add his name to the match sheet, even if on the bench.
"He has admitted he's not in the same shape as when he left. But Ryan is one of those players that can change a game."
Kelvin Hove won't be available due to work committments, while Quinn Mailman, with eight goals this season, would dearly like to make up some ground in the Golden Boot standings on Hokowhitu's Nick Carrick, whose is tied on 10 goals with North End's Nathan Cooksley.
Meanwhile, City want to keep doing what has twice proved beyond Athletic and get another win over New Plymouth Rangers when they head up State Highway 3.
While another week's break felt a little "weird" to Kelvin Francis's team, the extra seven days has done them some good as Latham Berry is back from his foot injury while crucially, Kyle Graham-Luke has his first session on his ankle during the gap week and then trained both the Tuesday and Thursday sessions.
Jake Lockett had to choose between a coast trip to New Plymouth with City or heading up to a chilly Mt Ruapehu with his Marist Buffalo's rugby team for an Ohakune game, and has opted for the football.
"We might tinker with the shape and be a little bit more attacking," said Francis.
"We're looking forward to the trip and hoping we can get a win after the long break.
"We're confident enough."
The team will not have Chris Annabell due to injury, but the biggest concern has been their veteran goal keeper Glen Graham.
Three vertebrae have been squeezing on the nerves in his back, with surgery scheduled for July in Wellington.
Given the Central Football club tranfer window closes at midnight tonight, and goal keepers are hard to find anyway, Francis has made the decision to keep wearing the gloves himself for the remainder of the campaign.
He hopes to have a full squad plus two reserves for the trip, which means the side does not have too much in common, cosmetically, with the City who had a brilliant 3-2 comeback win over Rangers at Wembley Park in April.
With seven goals, Anthony Bell will be looking to overtake Mailman and Palmerston North Marist's Ludwig Zeoula )eight) to close in on the Golden Boot leaders himself.
Both matches kickoff at 2.45pm.
In the Horizions Premiership, the GJ Gardner Homes Wanganui Athletic Reserves host undefeated table leaders Palmerston North Boys' High on Wembley Park No2 ground, kickoff 2.45pm.
Tomorrow, Football Whanganui head to the Massey University grounds to meet the GR Engineering Women's Federation League leaders, kickoff 1pm.
