The energy at Auckland FC training was red-lining on Thursday, as they prepare for one of the most anticipated showdowns of the season.
The defending A-League champions are just two days out from a twice-annual fixture which always gets the highlighter treatment on the schedule, namely their NZ derby against the Wellington Phoenix.
"There's always a bit of an extra edge when it's a week like this, and training has definitely been really intense," admitted Auckland FC defender Francis de Vries.
The overall derby experience to date has been miserable for the men from the capital and their loyal fanbase, falling to defeat on all six of their meetings – not so much as a draw in sight.
But this weekend's edition promises to be the most intriguing yet. The Phoenix enter the match with confidence levels peaking, riding a three-game win streak to open their campaign which has lifted them to the top of the competition standings.
Powered by scorching striker Corban Piper – who has scored in in all three of those victories – Wellington have found the back of the net seven times, while conceding just a solitary goal.
Meanwhile, the sixth-placed Black Knights are yet to hit the heights seen during their historic title run in 2025/26, with just a solitary win so far.
The Phoenix's red-hot form hasn't gone unnoticed by the northern counterparts, with goalkeeper Michael Woud admitting the Phoenix should go into the match as favourites, adding the unfamiliar underdog tag could play to his side's advantage.
"You'd probably say they are, if you're being honest," Woud said. "They've won three in a row.
"But I don't know if there's really favourites in a Derby. The games is played a lot more intense. We're at home. We know how strong we've been at home. We haven't lost at home this season.
"On paper you'd probably say them with their results, but maybe it's not a bad place to be in for us."
The hosts will be sweating on the health of key midfielder Jake Brimmer, who left Thursday's training with a shoulder injury and was unable to complete his media obligations.
Controlling possession has been among the team's most glaring weakness through the early stages of their campaign.
They've managed to command an average of just 37% of the ball, ranking them 11th among the 12 A-League teams.
Woud attributes those struggles to simple teething issues for a team adjusting to new head coach Pedro Moreira.
"It's just an adapting phase," he explained. "We're trying to do what Pedro wants as a group, and we're all buying into it, I think it's just taking a few games to use to it.
"If you take away the last five seconds against Brisbane (who scored a last-minute equaliser), we come away with a really positive result.
"We're all fully committed to the plan. I know that eventually we'll get better and better each game and we'll be in a good place."
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