The top six Men’s sides in Queensland will all play off in a massive weekend in the NPL and FQPL competitions.
In the NPL, league-leaders Peninsula Power host fourth-placed Gold Coast Knights on Saturday night at AJ Kelly Park.
In a super Sunday, third-placed Sunshine Coast Wanderers play sixth-placed Lions FC, and second-placed Brisbane Roar face fifth-placed Olympic FC at Goodwin Park.
At the other end of the ladder, Magpies Crusaders United, Redlands United and Brisbane Strikers are all in action on Saturday night as they fight to avoid relegation.
In FQPL 1, Brisbane City are eight points clear of Rochedale Rovers at the top of the table with two games in hand.
City play Holland Park Hawks this Saturday night at home in a match that could see the Azzurri secure the premiership and promotion to the NPL in 2022.
Elsewhere, SWQ Thunder and Western Pride are favourites to round out the top four and both teams will be looking to build momentum ahead of the Finals Series.
Third-placed Thunder host Sunshine Coast FC in Toowoomba, while fourth-placed Western Pride are away against Souths United.
Meanwhile, Caboolture FC secured the FQPL 2 premiership after an impressive season which saw them lose just one of their past 18 games.
North Star and Magic United will be fighting for a spot in the top four, with North Star up against Virginia United and Magic hosting Caboolture this weekend.
Fans can watch all First Grade NPL and FQPL matches LIVE on NPL.TV, free for Australian residents.
Feature Matches:
Peninsula Power v Gold Coast Knights
After an awesome start to the season, Peninsula Power have endured a shaky fortnight since the COVID-enforced break.
The league-leaders were beaten by Lions FC in Round 22 and were held to a scoreless draw with Brisbane Strikers last weekend.
They remain four points clear at the top of the ladder with two games in hand, however coach Aaron Philip will be keen for his side to return to winning ways this weekend against Gold Coast Knights.
The Knights came from behind last weekend to defeat Moreton Bay United 3-1, with two goals to gun striker Jheison Macuace.
Saturday’s clash against the Knights begins a huge three weeks for the Power, who face Brisbane Roar’s A-League side in the FFA Cup on Tuesday followed by Roar’s NPL side later this month.
Match Details
Saturday 11 September, 5:00pm
AJ Kelly Park, Kippa Ring
Olympic FC v Brisbane Roar
Second plays fifth on Sunday afternoon at Goodwin Park as Brisbane Roar take on Olympic FC.
The Roar are currently three points ahead of Olympic, although Olympic have a game in hand as the business end of the season approaches.
Not much separates the two sides this season, with Olympic unbeaten in 12 matches while the Roar have lost just once in the past seven outings.
The last time these two sides met, in Round 11, both sides traded goals in a match that ended in a 2-2 draw.
A win for Olympic this weekend would see them draw level on points with the Roar.
Match Details
Sunday 12 September, 6:00pm
Goodwin Park, Yeronga
Key players:
Eli Adams (Brisbane Roar): Scored two goals in Monday’s win over Gold Coast United, taking his tally to 12 from 18 games this season.
Daniel Cuttler (Sunshine Coast Wanderers): Has scored two goals in two games as the Wanderers have piled on nine goals in the past fortnight.
Click here for the NPL Round 24 Schedule.
Image: Peninsula Power