PS4 NPL Round 19 Preview
Words: Matt Dorman
Image: Patrick Kearney
The title race takes on a new dimension while several teams aim to enhance their top four credentials in Round 19 of the PlayStation® 4 National Premier Leagues.
SWQ Thunder FC v Olympic FC
Saturday, July 30 | 5:00PM
Clive Berghofer Stadium, Toowoomba
Match Centre – http://bit.ly/2av9Upy
Olympic FC have the chance to momentarily move into the top four for the first time this season when they visit a vulnerable SWQ Thunder on Saturday.
The visitors have won seven of 10 matches since edging Thunder 3-2 at Goodwin Park in April and enter this second encounter on a run of three straight victories.
It’s been a different story in Thunder’s second half of the campaign having not won since late May – a costly two-month spell which curtailed the young side’s Finals Series ambitions.
With form and history against them – Thunder are yet to take a point from their seven meetings with Olympic – the Toowoomba team will need more of the home ground magic that’s produced four memorable wins at Clive Berghofer Stadium this season.
Northern Fury FC v Brisbane Roar FC Youth
Saturday, July 30 | 5:00PM
Townsville Sports Reserve, Townsville
Match Centre – http://bit.ly/2az9sYs
Though scoreless in their last three, Northern Fury will have taken plenty of confidence from last week’s hard-earned 0-0 draw away to Brisbane City.
Their third draw in six matches suggests the Townsville team will target this weekend’s visit of Brisbane Roar Youth as the best chance to taste victory before the season closes.
Young Roar cruised to a 6-0 win when Fury visited Brisbane in Round 8 but have been less productive on their travels, winning only twice in eight matches.
After enjoying four wins from four in June, Josh McCloughan’s men will need to atone for last year’s 3-0 defeat in Townsville to add to their lone point this month.
FNQ FC Heat v Redlands United FC
Saturday, July 30 | 7:00PM
Callendar Park, Innisfail
Match Centre – http://bit.ly/2alcaAr
Finals Series implications and Westfield FFA Cup preparations are both in play as fourth-placed Redlands United head north to tackle the league-leading FNQ Heat.
Innisfail plays host to PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues football for the first time in what is set to be one of the biggest matches of the season.
Heat, fresh from the disappointment of Westfield FFA Cup defeat in midweek, have returned their attention to the pursuit of maiden silverware.
Redlands have their own Cup concerns as Adelaide United visit on Wednesday, but can ill afford to lose focus with both Brisbane City and Olympic FC hunting their top four spot.
The Red Devils steadied their flagging form in last weekend’s 1-0 win over Western Pride and will need to be just as resolute to keep out a Heat side which has won six of nine at home and lost just once.
More – "Heat Focus Returns To PS4 NPL"
Moreton Bay United FC v Sunshine Coast FC
Saturday, July 30 | 7:30PM
Wolter Park, Brisbane
Match Centre – http://bit.ly/2afBfdE
It’s seventh against eighth as Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast meet in what’s effectively a do-or-die fight to remain in the Finals Series reckoning.
Both teams sit six points shy of fourth but will almost certainly need maximum points to stand a chance of breaking the status quo.
Despite slipping to a 2-0 home loss against Brisbane Strikers, Fire boast the better of either side’s recent form courtesy of a recent three-match winning run.
Jets, however, have lost only once in this tie’s seven instalments and will be desperate to preserve their fading chances of a second straight Grand Final.
Gold Coast City FC v Brisbane City FC
Sunday, July 31 | 3:00PM
Duncan McKenna Field, Gold Coast
Match Centre – http://bit.ly/2agzba9
While one side seeks to strengthen their grip on the top four, another arrives in search of snatching it away.
Gold Coast are peaking perfectly for the run-in, plundering 14 goals and conceding zero across a commanding four-match winning streak.
John Kosmina’s men, currently fifth, can still force their way into the post-season but must be more clinical than last round’s stalemate with Northern Fury if they’re to trouble the hosts.
With two away fixtures still to follow, City will be eager to add to their enviable record of just three defeats in eight road engagements.
Brisbane Strikers FC v Western Pride FC
Sunday, July 31 | 6:00PM
Perry Park, Brisbane
Match Centre - http://bit.ly/2aedcwa
Midweek trips to Darwin are hardly welcome amid a tough title race, but Brisbane Strikers made the most of their hand in returning to Queensland with a Round of 16 berth secured in the Westfield FFA Cup.
That victory over Darwin Rovers followed an important 2-0 win away to Sunshine Coast which kept Strikers within touch of first-placed FNQ Heat.
A welcome return to Perry Park this Sunday sees Western Pride seeking revenge for the 4-0 defeat suffered earlier this term, a result which underscored the end of Pride’s early-season promise.
Now lagging back in 11th, the Ipswich outfit have gained some late momentum with three encouraging draws from the last six rounds.
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