Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Brian Monro

The jostling for positions only intensifies this weekend as PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Round 16 delivers a host of mouth-watering showdowns.

Brisbane Roar FC Youth v Sunshine Coast FC
Saturday, July 2 | 4:00PM
Cleveland Showgrounds, Redland City

Match Centre - http://bit.ly/29d5ofj

Young Roar are out to make it five wins on the trot when they host the enigmatic Fire on the bayside to kick-off the round.

The hosts have proven unstoppable of late in a form surge that has seen them net 13 goals in their past four outings to surge to fifth on the table.

Meanwhile, Fire furthered their up-and-down fortunes with a solid win over Brisbane City in their last outing and got the better of Young Roar in their meeting in April.

However, with only two wins away from their home base in all competitions this year and Young Roar yet to be bettered at Cleveland Showgrounds this season it will be a tall order for the Fire.

Match Officials – Lara SMITH (referee), Max CRANE (assistant), Justin TEMPLE (assistant), Ryan MOONEY (fourth)

SWQ Thunder FC v Brisbane Strikers FC
Saturday, July 2 | 5:00PM
Clive Berghofer Stadium, Toowoomba

 

Match Centre - http://bit.ly/29kzA7Q

Strikers are aiming to extend their perfect PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues record against Thunder when the sides clash atop the range.

Strikers are yet to concede a goal in five previous meetings between the sides and, with their defence still the most miserly in the competition, it will be a tall order for Thunder to break their hoodoo.

Thunder are also in the midst of a worrying form slump that has seen the side concede 13 goals in three straight defeats.

However, their home ground has already proved a poor hunting ground for some of the league’s leading sides this year and Thunder are at their trickiest with their backs to the wall.

Match Officials – Nathan MACDONALD (referee), Joshua EiISER (assistant), Thomas CARROLL (assistant), Nathan SCOTT (fourth)

Moreton Bay United FC v Gold Coast City FC
Saturday, July 2 | 6:00PM
Wolter Park, Moreton Bay

 

Match Centre - http://bit.ly/294Py2N

Jets embark on the first of a four-match run of home games this weekend when they host City in a contest that looms as a “six-pointer” in this year’s finals race.

Currently sitting seventh on the table, Jets have taken four points from top four sides over the past fortnight but doubts surround their top four ambitions with the club unable to string together back-to-back league wins since March.

City have also struggled for back-to-back wins this season and, despite putting the rest of the competition on notice by shutting out leaders FNQ Heat last weekend, need to find consistency to truly prove their finals credentials.

These sides drew when they met earlier this year, however a repeat of that result is certain to do neither Jets’ nor City’s finals ambitions any good this time around.

Match Officials – Adam KERSEY (referee), James SHERRY (assistant), Joseph LEE (assistant), Trent SLEEMAN (fourth)

Brisbane City FC v Western Pride FC
Saturday, July 2 | 6:30PM
Corporate Travel Management Stadium, Brisbane

 

Match Centre - http://bit.ly/29fjSgp

Coming off the back of two straight defeats on the road, City are eyeing a return to winning ways when they host lower-table stragglers Western Pride.

Pride have never defeated City on their home patch in three previous attempts while recent form is also against the Ipswich club after conceding three goals in each of their past winless outings.

The visitors can take comfort from the fact they got the better of City earlier this season, however that result prompted the turnaround in fortunes that saw City stake their claim for the top four.

The City faithful will be hoping for a similar jolt in the arm this time around as well.

Match Officials – Matthew SKINNER (referee), James MAINEY (assistant), Benjamin ORWELL (assistant), Cameron FAWCETT (fourth)

Northern Fury FC v FNQ FC Heat
Saturday, July 2 | 7:00PM
Townsville Sports Reserve, Townsville

 

Match Centre - http://bit.ly/29fjXAU

The northern derby returns for its final instalment of 2016 with both club’s currently in the midst of markedly different seasons.

Without a league win this season, the bottom-placed Fury are out of finals contention and will view the chance to put one over the rivals as one of few remaining opportunities for redemption left in a frustrating season.

Conversely, Heat are desperate to maintain their hold on top spot after a disappointing defeat against Gold Coast City reduced their lead atop the table to three points.

History favours the visitors, who have never been defeated in Townsville in three prior PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues fixtures in the city.

Match Officials – Rachel MITCHENSON (referee), Graham BUZZI (assistant), Matthew TOUMAZOU (assistant), Liam O'CONNOR (fourth)

Olympic FC v Redlands United FC
Sunday, July 3 | 5:00PM
Goodwin Park, Brisbane

 

Match Centre - http://bit.ly/2971C8A

The sole Sunday fixture of the round sees Olympic look to keep their flagging finals push alive when they host the recently out-of-sorts Redlands.

The hosts saw a five match unbeaten run brought to a close by Young Roar last weekend and a further defeat could see them fall eight points off the pace for a top four finish.

Meanwhile, Redlands were fortunate to escape with a come-from-behind win against Thunder in their last start and are coming off a scratchy June that saw them concede three or more goals in every league game.

History favours the hosts with Olympic yet to taste defeat to Redlands at Goodwin Park in the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues.

Match Officials - Jason CROW (referee), Max CRANE (assistant), Cameron FAWCETT (assistant), Ryan MOONEY (fourth)