England also have a keen interest in the four-match series as their standing will also be affected by the outcome.
Only the top six ranked teams as of April 1 gain automatic entry into the Champions Trophy next October, with the remainder consigned to a further preliminary round of matches.
What gives the New Zealand-Sri Lanka series added spice is that the two sides are wedged into the tightly-packed middle section of the table.
New Zealand are currently ranked fourth and Sri Lanka sixth but both sides are on 109 points, along with fifth-ranked India, while England are one point behind and just outside the all-important top six.
A series clean sweep by either side will take the winner to 115 points, just behind third-placed Pakistan, but it will drop the losers to seventh, with England moving up. New Zealand have a one-day series against the West Indies in February to further help their cause, but coach John Bracewell acknowledged they could make it easier on themselves by securing the points over the coming days. "Our guys have already mentioned it," Bracewell said. "It would be nice to be in the top six, and nice to be in the top three."