Premierships and a push for the top four will be on the minds of Queensland clubs this weekend as the NPL and FQPL Men’s competitions enter Super September.
In the NPL, Peninsula Power still have a commanding six-point lead at the top of the table despite going down last weekend to Lions FC.
Just four points separate second-placed Brisbane Roar from seventh-placed Lions FC, setting up a mouth-watering race for the Finals Series in October.
Round 23 of the NPL kicks off on Friday night as 11th-placed Capalaba FC take on fifth-placed Olympic FC at home.
Saturday night features four of the top seven clubs as Brisbane Roar play Gold Coast United, Gold Coast Knights host Moreton Bay United and Lions FC take on Eastern Suburbs.
At the other end of the ladder, Magpies Crusaders United, Redlands United and Brisbane Strikers remain locked in a battle to avoid relegation.
Magpies Crusaders travel south to play Sunshine Coast Wanderers, while Redlands face Logan Lightning and the Strikers take on league-leaders Peninsula Power.
In FQPL 1, Brisbane City are two points clear of Rochedale Rovers at the top of the table with three games in hand.
Both clubs are at home this weekend, with City hosting Southside Eagles on Friday night and Rochedale taking on Western Pride on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Caboolture FC have all but secured promotion from FQPL 2 with an eight point lead over it nearest challenger Taringa Rovers.
Both sides are up against Gold Coast opposition this weekend, with Caboolture taking on Coomera Colts and Taringa at home against Magic United.
Fans can watch all First Grade NPL and FQPL matches LIVE on NPL.TV, free for Australian residents.
Feature Matches:
Gold Coast Knights v Moreton Bay United
Fourth plays sixth this Saturday at the Croatian Sports Centre as Gold Coast Knights host Moreton Bay United.
MBU are coming off a big win over Brisbane Strikers last weekend while the Knights are looking to bounce back after their loss to Olympic.
With just two points separating fourth and seventh place, Knights are now in danger of losing their spot in the top four.
If Olympic FC, MBU and Lions FC all win this weekend, it is mathematically possible for Knights to drop to seventh on the ladder.
But such is the congestion at the top that a win for Knights could see them rise to second spot with five games left to play.
MBU could also catapult into the top four with a win this weekend, however the last time they played Knights, in Round 10, they lost 3-0.
Match Details
Saturday 4 September, 6:30pm
Croatian Sports Centre, Carrara
Key players:
Finn Beakhurst (Lions FC): Has scored three goals in Lions’ last four outings, including a crucial winner in last weekend’s boilover win against Peninsula Power.
Ethan Grimley (Moreton Bay United): The MBU super-sub came off the bench to bag a brace in last weekend’s 6-1 win over Brisbane Strikers.