Box Hill United v South Melbourne
7:30 pm, Friday 7 July, Wembley Park
South Melbourne cemented themselves in the top two with a commanding 4-0 victory over Bayside last week, while Box Hill also comfortably defeated FV Emerging.
This match-up is going to be pivotal in shaping the top four with Box Hil currently sitting one point outside the finals race and South Melbourne one win away from clinching the top spot.
South Melbourne's forward half was unstoppable last week, Danielle Wise scored a brace, and Tayla Christensen and Janna Lawson also got on the scoresheet and will create plenty of headaches for Box Hill defenders Maxine Diblasi, Madison Van Dooren and Caitlin Pickett.
On the other end of the pitch, South Melbourne full-backs Brianne Reed and Leia Varley will need to contend with Box Hill forward, Asuka Doi who has scored eight goals so far this season. Box Hill wingers Sienna Techera and Anais Josefski will also bring plenty of havoc on the wings against Akiesha Sandhu and Kiara Hronopoulos.
The midfield battle will determine this clash with South's Francesca Iermano, Meisha Westland and Zoe Lambi coming up against Melinda Barbieri, Sofia Sakalis (9 goals in 7 games between them) and Laura Pickett.
In Round 6, South Melbourne defeated Box Hill United with Danielle Wise scoring the match-winner in the second half.
Can Box Hill jump into the top four or will South Melbourne inch close to Boroondara?
FV Emerging v Alamein
8:30 pm, Friday 7 July, Knox Regional Football Centre
Alamein enjoyed a week's rest during Round 16 due to their clash with Heidelberg being postponed and FV Emerging was defeated by Box Hill United.
This clash is ultra-important for Alamein who still plans on playing a part in this year's final series.
Emerging will be no easy beats with Anika Dovaston, Carina Rossi and Ehva Gutszmit holding their own in the midfield, but Alamein's Sidney Allen, Molly Burke and Ashleigh Lefevre will look to dominate the young Emerging side and gain ascendancy in the middle of the pitch.
Emilie Keppens (7 goals) will be Emerging's biggest threat on goal, while Alana Cortellino and Kiera Meyers will also create plenty of chances for the young side.
Alamein captain Sidney Allen has been their most potent forward with six goals, while striker Rebecca Saber (4 goals) and Savanna Anastasopoulos (3 goals) will also be a handful for EMerging defenders Silver Bell Morris and Isabella Accardo.
FV Emerging will head into this clash looking to square the ledger against Alamein after going down 3-1 when they last met in Round 6.
Can Alamein remain in the finals race or will FV Emerging spoil the party?
Calder United v Boroondara Eagles
3:00 pm, Saturday 8 July, Keilor Park Recreation Reserve
Boroondara continued its reign of the NPLW with a 5-2 victory over Preston last week, and Calder survived a scare against Southern United to solidify the fifth spot on the table.
Calder will be looking to make a statement this week against the ladder leaders and could potentially jump into the top four with a victory.
Kiewa Hidea and Larissa Walsh will be the vocal points up forward for Calder and will need to contend with Boroondara's in-form defence of Cassie Carmen and Hayley Guerts
Calder midfielder Raquel Deralas has scored five goals this season and will look to press the Boroondara midfield alongside Ava Groba and Larissa Walsh. Margot Robinne (5 goals) has been just as damaging as an attacking midfielder for Boroondara, while Emily Sutcliffe and Becky Lim are also a threat forward of the ball and in the middle of the park.
Calder defenders Alana Cerne, Nikola Dakic and Julia Sardo will need to work together to curtail the influence of Golden Boot leader Kurea Okino, who has been scoring for fun this season.
The Eagles defeated Calder United 3-2 earlier in the season, Kurea Okino was the difference in the match with two goals.
Will Boroondara continue its stranglehold on the top spot on the table or can the defending Champions upset the Eagles?
Bulleen Lions v Bayside United
4:00 pm, Saturday 8 July, Veneto Club
Bayside was defeated at home by South Melbourne in Round 16, as Bulleen enjoyed the week off.
Bulleen has been in a rich vein of form since the last meeting, with their last defeat coming over 10 weeks ago when they last met Bayside.
Bayside defenders Zoe Haractsis, Caitlin Storay, and Izzy Fernandez will try and contain Bulleen striker, Maja Markovski, while Alana Jancesvski and Tyla Vlajnic will play attacking midfield roles with Grace Taranto and Rosie Rodger attacking options off the bench for the Lions.
Bulleen's defence is star-studded with Katie Beck and Claudia Mihocic supported by Lia Muldeary and Faith Stephenson, however, Bayside's forward half is the fourth-best attack in the league with Miwa Sasaki, Kayla Deaver, and Julia Budiongo scoring 19 goals for the season so far between them.
Midfielder Sarah Johnston has been terrific since moving to Bayside and along with Kate Shearing and Olivia Bomford faces a massive test this week against Bulleen Paige Zois, Ahora Little, and Alana Burn, however, if they can provide their forwards with enough chances at goal it may be too much for the Lions.
In Round 6, Bayside easily accounted for Bulleen, with Miwa Sasaki scoring a brace in the victory.
Bulleen will look to avenge their Round 6 defeat to Bayside this week when Miwa Sasaki scored a brace to ensure her side the three points.
Can Bulleen avenge their Round 6 loss or will Bayside reign supreme over the Lions in 2023?
Preston Lions v Heidelberg United
3:00 pm, Sunday 9 July, B.T. Connor Reserve
Heidelberg's Round 16 clash with Alamein was postponed due to the condition of the pitch, and Preston was comprehensively defeated by Boroondara.
This match will end up being ultra-important for both sides in the scheme of the season, as they both remain hopeful of making the top four.
After being comprehensively beaten by Boroondara last week, Preston will be out to prove they belong in the top echelon of sides this season.
Preston defenders Emma Checker, Lisa Founa, Delaney Lindahl and Eva Harrington will have the difficult job of marking Heidelberg captain Steph Galea and forwards Georgia Beaumont and Katrina Nikpour - who have scored 13 goals between them this season.
Preston will most likely rely on forwards Mel Camilleri and Rachel Stirton upfront with Heidelberg full-backs Elwyn Parbery and Felicity Georgopoulos likely to match up on the strikers.
Miri Nishimura (6 goals), Georgia Henderson and Monica Founa have made a powerful partnership through the midfield for Preston, however coming up against Heidelberg's Nicole Blackett (6 goals), Reona Omiya and Keely Lockhart will be no easy test, making this clash anyone's game.
When the two sides met in Round 6, the match ended 1-1 with Steph Galea (Heidelberg) and Mel Camilleri (Preston) scoring for their respective sides.
Who can take away the three points and inch one step closer to the NPLW finals?