Otago has more experience, having proven itself on the world stage at the lucrative Champions League. The Volts won 10 consecutive HRV Cup games last summer to win the New Zealand title and secure a spot at the Champions League qualifying tournament. They progressed through to the group stage with three straight wins and it was only run rate which prevented Otago making the semifinals.
The province won 15 consecutive twenty20 fixtures, the second-longest winning streak in the short history of the game.
Of course, all that counts for nothing tonight. But while the Volts have carefully tried to position themselves as underdogs by emphasising all the players who are not available, the truth is Otago can call on nine of the players who played in the final against Wellington last year.
The only players missing are seamers James Fuller (transferred to Auckland) and Ian Butler (injury). Fuller has not really been missed as veteran seamer James McMillan has effectively replaced him at the crease.
The 35-year-old was outstanding at the Champions League and has carried on with that form. He is the competition's fifth-leading wicket-taker with 11 wickets at 16.45. Perhaps the most impressive feature of his performances to date has been his ability to restrict batsmen. He has bowled almost all of his overs in the power play at the top of the innings and has conceded just 6.46 runs an over.
Butler's loss has been felt more keenly, though. His power hitting in the middle order helped make the difference for Otago more than once last summer and his bowling was a huge asset.
Had the Black Caps been available, Otago could have called on the services of all-rounders Nathan McCullum and Jimmy Neesham to help fill Butler's role.
And fellow Black Caps Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder would have added significant strength to the top order.
But even without the power of McCullum and Ryder, Otago can still boast a formidable top four and it is probably where the team's strength lies.
Neil Broom, Aaron Redmond and Ryan ten Doeschate have all scored twenty20 hundreds and it only seems a matter of time before opener Hamish Rutherford joins them in the 100 club.
Those four will need to score the bulk of the runs but there is some insurance. Captain Derek de Boorder is a good man to send in when early wickets fall, and Michael Bracewell is brute of a chap who is more than capable of finding the boundary.
The rest of the order is thin on batting experience. They have not been required too often during the past two years. West Indies international Jason Holder signed with Otago earlier this week and will bolster the bowling line-up which features test seamer Neil Wagner and 19-year-old pace bowler Jacob Duffy.
Left-arm spinner Nick Beard is vital cog in the attack and he usually bowls in tandem with ten Doeschate during the middle overs. The pair look to restrict the opposition rather than take wickets.
The forecast looks encouraging with fine weather and 24degC promised. But if New Zealand's unpredictable weather should take a turn for the worse, then the final will be played tomorrow.
