Otago's destiny in the Ford Trophy is likely to come down to its next two games, the first of them against Wellington, in the capital today.
The Volts were sitting bottom of the table before their close win over Northern Knights on Sunday, which put them right back into contention.
They are tied on six points with today's opponent and one point ahead of Northern Knights, which sit bottom of the table and will play in Dunedin on Sunday.
So a couple of wins in the next two games should be enough to get the Volts into the top four and the playoffs.
Canterbury (20), Central Districts (16) and Auckland (12) look well placed to make the playoffs, although Auckland may have to take a look over its shoulder if it loses today.
Otago coach Nathan King said the next two games would most probably decide which sides made the playoffs.
"All the sides have to play each other, so it is sort of a battle to try and get into that last spot. Once you get into the finals, then anything can happen,'' King said.
"It was good to get a win on the board the other day. It got a bit tight towards the end of the game but we did enough to get the win.
"Now it is just about keep on improving. We have done some things really well and other things not as well. We need to put it all together on the day.''
Otago will have to do without speedster Warren Barnes, who has picked up a foot injury that forced him off the field late in the game on Sunday.
He has been replaced by Craig Smith.
The injury would also keep Barnes out of Sunday's game at University Oval. King said it was not believed to be a serious injury but time was needed to rest the foot.
Barnes has made an impressive start to his Otago career.
Bradley Scott or Smith are likely to get a run in his absence.
Wellington is always a dangerous side at home and will be feeling somewhat aggrieved after rain ended its match early on Sunday against Central Districts and it ended up losing.
It has some experienced campaigners in the form of skipper Michael Papps, paceman Brent Arnel and spinner Luke Woodcock.
Arnel needs two more wickets to take 100 in one-day games.
Batsman Stephen Murdoch looms as a key man, while Patel is a veteran but can still be relied upon to be a menace at the bowling crease.
Otago has been exposed in some games for not having enough bowling options.
With Jimmy Neesham still out with a back injury - it is hoped he can bowl on Sunday - the side does not have many choices if one of its frontline bowlers is on the end of some lusty blows.
Neil Wagner and Jacob Duffy have bowled well in opening the attack and at the death as bowlers in general have found few rewards throughout the season.
The Otago batting has relied on Neil Broom a lot and he has delivered with two centuries already but it is time for someone else to come forward and play a decent hand.
The weather forecast for Wellington today is a chance of a shower around the middle of the day but mainly fine.
In the other games today, Auckland takes on Canterbury, in Christchurch while Northern Districts faces Central Districts, in Whangarei.
Otago v Wellington
Wellington, today, 11am
Otago Volts: Hamish Rutherford (captain), Michael Bracewell, Neil Broom, Jimmy Neesham, Anaru Kitchen, Derek de Boorder, Sam Wells, Mark Craig, Neil Wagner, Jacob Duffy, Craig Smith, Bradley Scott.
Wellington Firebirds: Michael Papps (captain), Brent Arnel, Tom Blundell, Craig Cachopa, Alecz Day, Dane Hutchinson, Matt McEwan, Stephen Murdoch, Jeetan Patel, Michael Pollard, Anurag Verma, Luke Woodcock.
Ford Trophy table: Canterbury 20, Central Districts 16, Auckland 12, Wellington 6, Otago 6, Northern Districts 5.
