Canberra FC v Riverina Rhinos | Saturday, 3pm @ Deakin Stadium

It’s second taking on third this weekend at Deakin as Canberra FC host the Rhinos in a big clash for both teams. The hosts have played two matches and won two, as well as progressing in the FFA Cup, and are already looking a strong chance to be around at the pointy end of the season. A convincing 3-1 win at home over Gungahlin United last weekend was a good sign after a tough season at home last year, and Thomas James already looks in brilliant form with three goals to his name in just two matches. This fixture last year was in round one at the same venue and ended in a 7-0 thrashing over the Rhinos, but this matchup doesn’t look anywhere near as lopsided now.

The Rhinos triumphed over Monaro last week with a strong second half, before losing to the same side in their midweek FFA Cup tie by a goal. Gabriel Abdula will be hoping that they can return to that league form for this match, and will want to avoid going behind early. The Rhinos have almost scored half of their 2017 goal tally so far in just three games, indicating that there has been a marked improvement in this side. They will now head to Canberra with confidence rather than trepidation, and this clash is set to be a belter.

 

Woden-Weston v Gungahlin United | Saturday, 3pm @ Woden Park

Woden-Weston and Gungahlin United will both be aiming to cut short winless runs on Saturday as they face off at Woden Park in Round five. United remain winless after four rounds in the league and need to get off the mark soon to avoid falling further behind the eight-ball. Marcial Munoz’s side started strongly last weekend against Canberra FC before eventually being overrun and going down 3-1. But a 2-1 win over Queanbeyan City in their mid-week FFA Cup clash will have helped to spark the side and they now come into this match off the back of a victory instead. Ben Obst has impressed so far with the opener last weekend and scoring in that cup clash, and he will be important here at both ends.

Woden-Weston’s strong start to the league has been followed by two straight losses to Canberra Olympic and Tuggeranong United, and a rebound is important now to regather some of that momentum. This team have shown that they have no trouble scoring, but there issues are more centered around the other end of the pitch, with 10 goals both scored and conceded. Rey Castro has a plethora of attacking weapons at his disposal, and they will cause no end of trouble for United this weekend. This match will be a crunch clash for both sides; Woden-Weston to get back in touch with the leaders, and Gungahlin just to get off the mark.

 

Tuggeranong United v Canberra Olympic | Sunday, 3pm @ Greenway Enclosed & LIVE on BarTV Sports

It’s a blockbuster live clash on BarTV Sports on Sunday as Tuggeranong United seek their fifth straight win to begin the league season. United saw off Woden-Weston last weekend to continue their run but will face a challenge against a Canberra Olympic side who are also building momentum. A win here for Mitch Stevens men can keep them at least six points clear ahead of their nearest competitors, a strong buffer to have, even so early in the season. United’s forward line has clicked so far and they have one of the strongest attacks in the league on a per-game average, with Tom Pagett, Danny Crkovski and Aisosa Ihegie sharing the load with two goals each. A strong two-way performance will be key this weekend against a team that is always there or thereabouts.

For Olympic, last Friday’s win over Belconnen United was another feather in the hat for Frank Cachia with his wounded squad having lost Nik Popovich and Daniel Colbertaldo before a ball had even been kicked in the match. Whether those two can prove their fitness for this week remains unclear, but Olympic’s depth is still full of quality and they will be a tough side to beat. After dropping their first match to Monaro they have rebounded with wins over Woden-Weston and Belconnen, but this match gives them a chance to make a statement against the form team in the league thus far. Player availability will be Cachia’s biggest concern, but he must also set up his team to not be exposed by the pace of Ihegie, who has been one of the best players in the league to this point.

 

 

Tigers FC v Monaro Panthers | Sunday, 3pm @ Nijong Oval

Fresh off a Round four FFA Cup win in Griffith, Monaro will travel to Cooma looking to put their Premier League season back on the rails. After winning their opening match against Canberra Olympic the Panthers dropped off with consecutive 3-0 losses at home, and Zoran Glavinic slammed the effort of his squad as they lost to the Rhinos last weekend. But they turned it around during the week out West as Sam Smith’s late goal gave them an important win, and gives them the chance to make a run to the semi-finals as they did last season. They must turn their focus back to the league this week though and be ready for a Tigers side who are yet to pick up a win, league or cup, and will be fighting hard for a result.

Gaby Wilk’s side have only played twice in the league but have shipped eight goals already, and tightening up at the back will be necessary here. Monaro have hardly set the league ablaze with their scoring prowess but are still a dangerous side, as they showed in their opening win against Olympic and Tigers must be wary. A loss here could be devastating for Tigers this early, with the chance to be 15 points behind at the end of the round, albeit with a game or two in hand. Wilk’s men have not really struggled to score, averaging three goals a game thus far and will have a chance to improve that against a Monaro team who have shipped six in their last two. Nicolas Villafane showed glimpses of his talent in the loss to Tuggeranong in the league, and he can prove his worth with an impact performance here.