A crucial weekend in race for the title, finals football and relegation lies ahead with just five rounds remaining of the 2023 NPL Queensland Men’s season.
Peninsula Power host Rochedale Rovers in the opening match of the weekend at AJ Kelly Park on Friday night.
Following mid-season resurgences from both sides the pair sit four and two points outside of the top four respectively ahead of what shapes as a key clash in the battle for the top four.
Both sides have changed coaches since Power prevailed 3-2 at Underwood Park in April with Power having tasted defeat just once and Rochedale twice in the ten rounds since that match.
Young Roar host league leaders Gold Coast Knights in the second of Friday’s matches at AJ Kelly Park.
Knights had their lead at the top of the table cut to three points when their 15-match unbeaten run was ended with a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Brisbane City last weekend.
Meanwhile eighth placed Young Roar, who sit four points adrift of fourth placed signalled their finals intent with a commanding 4-0 victory over Rochedale last weekend.
In Friday’s other match bottom placed Eastern Suburbs host fifth placed Brisbane City at Heath Park.
Easts, who sit 11 points adrift of safety at the foot of the table are in desperate need of a result against a City side who are two points outside the top four after securing a huge win over Gold Coast Knights last weekend.
On Sunday afternoon Gold Coast United look to continue their title challenge with a win against Redlands United at Compass Grounds.
Grae Piddick’s side reduced the gap at the top of the table to just three points with a win over Lions last weekend and will aim to keep the pressure on their cross-town rivals by completing a league double over the Red Devils on Sunday.
Olympic host Lions in a key battle for both sides seasons at Goodwin Park on Sunday evening.
Olympic sit seven points adrift of safety and are in desperate need of a win with just five rounds remaining if Chris Grossman’s side are to close the gap on tenth placed Sunshine Coast Wanderers.
Lions meanwhile hold a two-point buffer over the chasing pack in fourth position but will know they need a result if they’re to finish the weekend amongst the finals spots.
Sunshine Coast Wanderers host Moreton Bay United in the weekend’s final match at Ballinger Park on Sunday evening.
The Wanderers took a big step towards survival with a win over Eastern Suburbs last weekend while the third placed Jets, who were victorious over Redlands look to close in on the top two as they chase a home final.
You can catch every second of the weekend’s NPL Men’s Round 18 action live and free on FQTV or the Football Queensland YouTube channel.