Words: Matt Dorman
Image: Western Pride FC

Round 13 in PlayStation® 4 could set the tone for the remainder of the season as the top three all enter after defeats.

Brisbane Strikers FC v Brisbane City FC
Saturday, 13 June / Perry Park / 6:00PM

The weekend action commences with a traditional Brisbane derby on Saturday night.

Strikers have had to wait a fortnight to erase their surprise 2-1 defeat away to Redlands United in Round 12, when two first-half goals ended a run of four straight wins and three consecutive clean sheets.

That result makes Brisbane City the next target of any pent-up frustration, but the visitors have salvaged their season in recent weeks and will be hopeful of their biggest result yet.

Three victories on the spin for City have set up a blockbuster.

Moreton Bay United FC v Redlands United FC
Saturday, 13 June / Wolter Park / 6:00PM

Two weeks have elapsed since Moreton Bay United tasted defeat for the first time this season in a 4-2 loss away to Olympic FC.

Jets return on Saturday night but can hardly expect a straightforward return winning ways as Redlands United, unbeaten in four, aim to continue their ascension toward the top half.

The Red Devils shocked Brisbane Strikers in their last outing and will have plenty of belief in their ability to claim another big scalp.

Charles Mendy, who grabbed his third brace against Olympic, will require close attention if that’s to happen.

Northern Fury FC v Western Pride FC
Saturday, 13 June / International Park / 7:00PM

After seemingly shaking off a patchy start, Northern Fury have slumped to two straight defeats to sit eighth after nine matches.

A second straight home match presents the chance to even their record at 5-0-5 with Western Pride in town on Saturday night.

Pride occupy a similarly unpredictable space having ended a run of three defeats by blowing away SWQ Thunder 7-0 in which recent acquisitions Mitch Bird and Todd Norris both grabbed braces.

This match will be played in Ayr as Fury seek to take NPL Queensland football outside of Townsville and to the greater North Queensland region.

FNQ FC Heat v Sunshine Coast FC
Saturday, 13 June / Barlow Park / 7:30PM

After steaming to the Semi-Finals in 2014, few would have predicted FNQ Heat to be off the pace in 10th at the midway point of the season.

Cairns has hardly been a safe haven this season with Heat winning just once in six games played in the Far North.

Jamie Carroll and Alex Smith remain a handful and a two-week break has given Martin Docherty time to identify improvements to a defence which is the fourth most generous in the league.

Sunshine Coast also need a form reversal after dropping three straight to slip out of the top four.

Brisbane Roar FC Youth v South West Queensland Thunder FC
Sunday, 14 June / Perry Park / 3:30PM

Brisbane Roar Youth showcased the kind of damage they can cause against Olympic FC last week, dominating the second-half in an emphatic 4-1 win.

That victory marked the third time Young Roar have netted four goals or more and another high-scoring affair could be in store at Perry Park.

SWQ Thunder will be relieved to be put May behind them after a last-start 7-0 loss to Western Pride made it 18 goals conceded in four weeks.

Breeding some confidence ahead of Sunday’s match will be last weekend’s effort to push Palm Beach SC to penalties in the Westfield FFA Cup.

Olympic FC v Palm Beach SC
Sunday, 14 June / Goodwin Park / 4:00PM

The second Grand Final rematch of the season rounds out the weekend as title-holders Palm Beach SC visit challengers Olympic FC.

Olympic will be intent on proving last week’s shock loss to Young Roar was only a stumble and exacting revenge on a team now chasing their top four spot would be the ideal way to move on.

Sharks are sure to have other ideas as their season hits the crossroads.

The champions’ record reads 4-2-4 with time still to break back into the finals places; two matches without defeat have set the platform to launch.