Hellenic, without a win this season, must fancy their chances against Ajax on Tuesday night but they will have to beware the backlash from opponents who sank to new lows in going down 2-0 to Free State Stars on Sunday.
Hellenic coach Mark Byrne senses an opportunity at Green Point Stadium (8pm), but knows it will not be easy.
"Having lost yesterday (Sunday), I expect Ajax to come out with a lot more fight. They must be embarrassed by that defeat."
Byrne's Ajax Cape Town counterpart Rob McDonald has been juggling with team selections trying to get the best possible combination, a system that left national player David Kannemeyer warming the bench for most of Sunday's game.
However he is expected to be in the starting line-up on Tuesday.
McDonald said on Monday: "I am still in a state of shock and trying to work out how a team can do as well as we did in recent weeks, then produce the kind of football we dished up against Stars.
"In many ways we have to prove to our loyal supporters that yesterday was just an off-day."
Injuries will force McDonald to make a few more changes. Captain Duran Francis broke his collar-bone and is expected to undergo surgery on Monday. He is expected to be out of action for some time.
Defenders Brett Evans and Eddie Dinha both hobbled off with ankle injuries on Sunday and will undergo fitness tests on Tuesday.
"My parting words to the players before they took the field for the second half against Stars were: 'Do we want to be a mediocre team or a team among the big boys of the league?'," said McDonald.
"In tomorrow's game there'll be plenty of passion as it is a derby and pride will be at stake. I expect Hellenic to come at us as they really need the points, so it is going to be tough," added McDonald.
Byrne retorted: "Last year we beat them 3-0 at Stellenbosch. That game turned things around for us. I am hoping tomorrow's game will also be the start of our climb up the ladder."
Hellenic will make desperate attempts on Monday to get former Kaizer Chiefs player Robert Nauseb and young Gugulethu player Thobela Bikwani, who had a spell in Holland, cleared to play on Tuesday.
Byrne said the emphasis in the selection of the team will be on home grown players.
"The Cape players know what the passion of a derby is, so we will be counting on that."
He added that a proposed swop of Bianchi for Santos striker Quinton Booysen had not materialised.
Hellenic have been playing some good football, but have failed in the striking department.
Byrne is also hoping that hardworking Zimbabwean international Edzai Kasinauyo, who picked up a groin injury at training last week, will be fit for Tuesday's match.
"If Kasinauyo is out, it will be a big blow to our victory chances," said Byrne.