Having the champions on the opening day of the campaign, though, is not something that worries Bann coach Mark Tumilty.
"We have nothing to fear," he says resolutely.
"Yes, we are going to need to put in a good performance to beat them but are they any better than anyone else in Ireland? I don't think so.
"We will need big performances from the likes of Gareth Lennox, who was key for us on Saturday against Garvey, Scott McCandless and Stephen Dowds.
"Dowds in particular is a real talent but it's something that needs worked at.
"I really believe that we have enough in our own squad to get a result."
The style of IHL hockey, with it's four quarters rather than two halves, suits Banbridge more according to Tumilty.
"It's different in that it's a faster pace of hockey, although the breaks in the half allow the players to have a breather.
"That works well for us as we have a good squad of 16 that like to play a fast paced game.
"The autopass rule from last year doesn't really affect us as much as it has now been implemented in the Ulster League.
"But the one big change that has been made is that goals that come as the result of a deflection off an opposing player now count - in effect you now have own goals in hockey.
"That should make things a lot more interesting and perhaps a bit more controversial too."
Of Pembroke Tumilty reckons that they have plenty of fire power but isn't concerned that a defeat would mean a disaster for Bann's qualification hopes.
"I think they have scored 34 goals in 13 games, they also scored nine in a recent game so we will need to be extremely tight at the back.
"If we lose it's not the end of the world, I don't think it will determine if we make it to the semi finals or not.
"Also having them in our group works to our advantage as it means we will avoid them in the semi so it gives us a better chance of reaching Europe with both the finalists qualifying.
"We actually played them when they had a similar squad two years ago when I was with Garvey and drew 2-2 with them, plus Inst beat them recently too so I don't see why we can't get a result.
"This will give us the opportunity to see where we are in terms of competing at an All Ireland level."
Saturday's game at Havelock Park gets underway at 7pm.