Officials have been cursed with fickle weather which forced the postponement of last year's Illawarra Premier League grand final and then a washout of the Maso Cup last weekend.

But they have contingency plans in place to ensure the 10-team event goes ahead this weekend, barring another torrential downpour.

Wollongong United are one of four Illawarra-based sides set to kick-off the tournament at JJ Kelly Park tonight.

Coach John Fleming, who steered the side to a runners-up finish in the 2011 edition behind NSW Premier League outfit Rockdale, said the defending champions deserved favouritism.

Wollongong United suffered a 3-0 loss to Victorian Premier League side Altona Magic in a practice match last weekend.

They are expected to unveil Ricky Goodchild, who followed coach Adrian Alston out the door at Bulli, and ex-Dapto star Norm Wicker over the course of the weekend.

Wollongong United play Shell Cove in the tournament opener tonight in a pool which also features the Yagoona Lions, Rockdale and Queanbeyan City.

Games will be played with 25-minute halves tonight and during the finals series, but will revert to 20-minute halves for the round robin clashes on Saturday and Sunday.

The grand final will be played at John Crehan Park on Sunday night.