The Highlanders have never lost to the Cheetahs since the South African side entered the competition in 2006 and the home side will be keen for that record to continue.
However, Joseph said the Cheetahs would not be easy and he could not see how his side would be classed as the favourite.
"I don't know how that has come about. We were 12th last year and now we are favourites.
Every game is tough. They'll be tough and we have to be ready for them," he said.
Joseph has made just the one change to his starting side with lock Josh Bekhuis coming into the team for Tom Donnelly, who moves to the bench.
In the reserves, David Te Moana takes the place of Halani Aulika while Robbie Robinson is back in the 22-man squad, replacing Tony Brown. Robinson missed out last week after being stood down by team management because of a discipline breach.
Joseph said Donnelly had played well last week in the close win over the Brumbies but Bekhuis had also started the season well.
"I thought Tom had a good game against the Brumbies but Josh has also been a consistent performer throughout the season. In some positions we are lucky in that we have a lot of competition, while in others we don't have a lot.
"But lock is one of those areas where we have a lot of competition and won't lose anything by putting Josh on. It's a long season and no-one will play every game."
First five-eighth Colin Slade got through training fine yesterday and was all set to go tomorrow night, getting over his groin injury which had forced him off the field last week.
The side had a light start to the week but had trained hard over the last couple of days and was expecting the South African side to play with plenty of physicality.
Openside flanker Alando Soakai would bring up his 50th game for the franchise tomorrow night, and Joseph said though the flanker was not one to dwell on milestones it was a good acknowledgment for all the hard work he had done over the years.
The Cheetahs were due to have a training run at Carisbrook later today, preparing for the final game of their four-match tour.
They opened their tour with an upset win over the Waratahs but have since lost to the Reds and Blues and may have one foot on the plane.
The Bloemfontein-based team has been hard hit by injury and has sent six players home with injury on the tour. Key players missing include loose forwards Juan Smith and Heinrich Brussow and hooker Adriaan Strauss.
Highlanders v Cheetahs, tomorrow, Carisbrook, 7.35pm
Highlanders: Ben Smith, Kade Poki, Kendrick Lynn, Shaun Treeby, Siale Piutau, Colin Slade, Jimmy Cowan, Nasi Manu, Alando Soakai, Adam Thomson, Josh Bekhuis, Jarrad Hoeata, Chris King, Jason Rutledge, Jamie Mackintosh (captain).
Reserves: Mahonri Schwalger, David Te Moana, Tom Donnelly, Nick Crosswell, Aaron Smith, Robbie Robinson, James Paterson.
