Payback is sure to be at the forefront of the Northern Knights' minds as they look to make up for a comprehensive loss to the Canterbury Kings in Christchurch tonight.

Beaten by the Cantabrians by eight wickets at Seddon Park last week, the defending T20 champions head south looking to keep the pressure on the early Georgie Pie Super Smash leaders.

A Northern Knights batsmen carefully watches a ball from Central Stags pace bowler Adam Milne. Photo: Supplied.

The Knights began brightly with an 86-run stand inside 12 overs between Anton Devcich (24) and captain Daniel Flynn, but their remaining batsmen soon crumbled, with none of them managing more than 14.

Flynn was the sixth man to fall, for 86 off 67, in the last over of the innings after striking eight fours and two sixes. Some tight Kings bowling restricted the home side to 146 for seven.

In reply the Kings cruised to the eight wicket win, keeping their unbeaten streak alive with batsmen Aiden Blizzard and Andrew Ellis leading the way.

Knights captain Daniel Flynn says the side is reasonably happy with the way they started the competition, winning three of four matches at home, but they mustn't slip up on the road.

'It was important for us to make use of the home advantage and we plan to continue that momentum into this round,” he says.

'Hagley Oval is looking fabulous and we are excited to be playing at this new venue.”

Playing their first four matches at home the Knights now hit the road for the rest for the tournament, only returning to Hamilton's Seddon Park should they make the play-offs.

Knights coach James Pamment is looking forward to playing Hagley Oval in front of what is expected to be a sell-out crowd of 5000.

James says: 'I'm sure our boys will enjoy playing here. We're focused on winning this match before heading to Auckland for the weekend.”

After four matches the Knights sit second having won three matches, behind current front runners Canterbury who are yet to drop a match.

The Auckland Aces and Wellington Firebirds are next best while the Central Stags and Otago Volts are yet to open their accounts.

After tonight's clash the Knights face the Aces at Eden Park on Sunday afternoon.