Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Sam Attwood

A full complement of PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues fixtures this weekend will sees raft of blockbuster fixtures with big implications for the title race.

Brisbane Strikers FC v Gold Coast City FC
Saturday, June 18 | 6:00PM
Perry Park, Brisbane

 

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The competition’s best defence hosts its most potent attack when Strikers and City clash to open the round.

Strikers are the form team of the competition on the back of an imposing defensive return - conceding just two goals since the end of March in a run that has seen the club only lose twice in all competitions.

City have proved equally hard to beat with only three defeats across all competitions this year, but despite boasting the league’s most prolific attack have suffered for a defence that has conceded at key times to post a league highest six draws.

These sides couldn’t be separated in their last meeting, however both will be well aware of the value of three points this time out with City seeking a return to the top four, while Strikers look to keep the pressure on competition leaders FNQ Heat.

Match Officials - Adam KERSEY (referee), Joey LEE (assistant), James SHERRY (assistant), Justin TEMPLE (fourth)

Moreton Bay United FC v Redlands United FC
Saturday, June 18 | 6:00PM
Wolter Park, Moreton Bay

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Finals hopefuls Jets and Redlands are each seeking a return to winning ways when they clash in a match that is a must-win for both sides.

The Jets’ form woes remain an ongoing cause of concern for the defending Champions, with the early season high fliers failing to recapture last year’s cutthroat edge and notching just one win in their past six league outings.

While their form isn’t in question, Redlands last start loss to Brisbane Roar Youth saw them miss the chance to move to outright second on the table and lessons will need to learned if they are to bounce back and continue their push for a maiden league title.

Interestingly, the last meeting between these sides marked a turning point in both sides’ campaigns – the result marking the last time Jets kept a clean sheet in the league and the only time Redlands have been held scoreless this year.

Match Officials – Lara SMITH (referee), Sarah PRATT (assistant), Renae COGHILL (assistant), Brad BURTON (fourth)

FNQ FC Heat v Western Pride FC
Saturday, June 18 | 6:30PM
Barlow Park, Cairns

 

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Pride are looking to become just the second team this year to record a ‘tropical double’ when they take on the league-leading Heat in Cairns.

The enigmatic Pride continue to confound the tipsters this season, proving good value for a draw against Gold Coast City last weekend – but the result extending a three match winless run.

Alternatively, Heat appear to have overcome a mid-season hump with last week’s Westfield FFA Cup win marking back-to-back wins in all competitions after a two match losing streak at the end of May.

Pride were well within the contest when these sides met earlier this year, but their inability to keep a clean sheet this term will only further encourage Heat’s prolific attack that includes league-leading goalscorer Jamie Carroll.

Of note, despite three previous away trips to face the Heat this match marks the first time Pride have played at Barlow Park – with prior encounters in Mareeba, Port Douglas and at Heat’s secondary Endeavour Park venue.

Match Officials - Trent SLEEMAN (referee), Chris DAWSON (assistant), Chris DOHERTY-FISHER (assistant), Wayen KUYPERS (fourth)

Northern Fury FC v Sunshine Coast FC
Saturday, June 18 | 7:00PM
Townsville Sports Reserve, Townsville

 

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The Fury faithful are hoping an out-of-sorts Fire will prove vulnerable as the Townsville club looks to finally end an inglorious 13 match losing streak in Saturday’s late kick-off.

Comprehensively outplayed last weekend by community Surfers Paradise Apollo in the Westfield FFA Cup, Fire are boosted by the return of their cup-tied contingent and will see the bottom of the table Fury as the ideal opponent to regain some much needed confidence.

Fury’s problems are also myriad – conceding three or more goals per game in all but one league outing this year and boasting a toothless attack that averages less than a goal per game.

History is also against the Fury in this clash with Fire never tasting defeat at Townsville Sports Reserve in the competition’s history and comfortably accounting for Fury earlier this season.

Match Officials - Graham BUZZI (referee), Liam O’CONNOR (assistant), Jack NICOLOSI (assistant), Matthew TOUMAZOU (fourth)

SWQ Thunder FC v Brisbane Roar FC Youth
Sunday, June 19 | 2:00PM
Toowoomba Grammar School, Toowoomba

 

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The red-hot Young Roar are out to record a club record equalling third straight win in PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues competition when they travel to Thunder in Sunday’s early kick-off.

Young Roar truly hit their straps last week putting both Jets and Redlands to the sword in two impressive wins in the space of six days – striker Nicholas D’Agostino netting four goals in the process.

Their return this week will depend on the performance of the notoriously inconsistent Thunder, who continued their up-and-down results with a less than stellar defeat to Brisbane City last weekend.

Thunder have failed to better Roar in five previous meetings, however both sides will be equally motivated by the knowledge that a win could well see them move into the top half of the table depending on other results.

In a small piece of history, this is the first PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues match to be played at the elite Toowoomba Grammar School, which boasts close ties to Thunder.

Match Officials - Matthew SKINNER (referee), Alex HOHN (assistant), Joshua EISER (assistant), Ethan QUINLAN (fourth)

Olympic FC v Brisbane City FC
Sunday, June 19 | 5:00PM
Goodwin Park, Brisbane

 

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One of the competition’s most entrenched rivalries concludes the round when Olympic welcome cross-town rivals City in what promises to be another blockbuster showdown.

City and Olympic come into the contest in impressive form – City are flying high in fourth place on the back of a seven match unbeaten run, while Olympic have shrugged off their early season woes and are undefeated in their last four.

Both sides are also coming off their biggest wins of the campaign to date after City notched four goals against Thunder and Olympic slotted an imposing six against Fury in their last starts.

City are yet to taste defeat to any of their capital city neighbours so far this campaign, while Olympic have thrice failed to claim bragging rights in derbies this term.

However, form and history could well go out the window if the heavens have their expected say – with heavy rain forecast to play a crucial role in deciding the outcome.

Match Officials – Andrew LINDSAY (referee), Ben ORWELL (assistant), James MAINEY (assistant), Daniel OLSON (fourth)