Woden-Weston v Monaro Panthers | Saturday, 3pm @ Woden Park

Two sides needing to break out of a slump will meet at Woden Park on Saturday afternoon as Woden-Weston host the Monaro Panthers. Monaro come in to the game on the back of a fourth straight loss in the league, and in desperate need of points soon. The loss to Belconnen United was a narrow one and a match in which the hosts had their chances but went down by just a single goal. Goalscoring continues to be an issue for this team, with just one goal in the league coming in the second-round win over Canberra Olympic. Sam Smith scored that goal and their only cup goal, and will be a vital cog once again. He threatened against Belconnen last week but could not make it count, so taking chances here against a side that can leave themselves exposed will be important.

For Woden-Weston the reversal of their wins over Tigers FC and Belconnen United leaves them sitting back in last, now two points behind Saturday’s opponent. The bye last weekend was a chance to reset, and coach Rey Castro will be looking for his side to enter this match full of energy and chase a result. With their place in the FFA Cup now removed, the league can be Castro’s only focus but he must make sure his team remain motivated and focused on what they can change. The Wanderers are still full of talent and can make a splash in the league, and have a great chance to do so here. Monaro have largely struggled at the back conceding 2 goals a game on average, although the hosts here have not fared too much better at times. If the Wanderers can be back at their best, with flowing, attacking football then they will be in good stead here.

Riverina Rhinos v Tigers FC | Saturday, 5pm @ EW Moore Oval

Tigers FC will have redemption on their mind this Saturday as they look to bounce back from their 7-2 thrashing at the hands of Canberra FC last weekend. After Osman Fofanah was sent off in that encounter, the match got away from Tigers and the last 15 or so minutes saw them fall apart entirely. Gaby Wilk said after that match that he is hoping to see a return from injury for a number of players here but they will be without Fofanah through suspension. Tigers impressed in the first half and in the second up until the dismissal, looking dangerous in attack with Nicolas Villafane unsurprisingly pulling the strings and scoring a brace for the visitors. He will be a key figure here on what is a tough road trip.

The Rhinos meanwhile will be looking to come back from two consecutive losses to Canberra FC and Canberra Olympic, and having dropped to sixth on the table. They stuck with Olympic for much of last week before two late goals proved enough to sink them, and they will be without Darren Bailey and Jacob Donadel after the two were given their marching orders in the dying moments. Bailey in particular will be a big loss after playing an important role last weekend, and Gabriel Abdula has some shuffling to do in his side. But the Rhinos have proved a tough matchup at home this season, and with the Tigers bringing struggles of their own to Griffith, this match is the perfect time for the Rhinos to get back on track.

 

Belconnen United v Canberra FC | Saturday, 5:30pm @ McKellar Park

A traditionally fiery clash lies in wait on Saturday evening as Belconnen United host Canberra FC in prime time at McKellar Park. United will enter the match boosted by picking up a much needed win against Monaro last weekend, but also now by suddenly sitting in fourth place by virtue of their loss to Woden-Weston now deemed as a forfeit. That means they now sit only three points behind their opponent in this outing, and will be ready to make a statement and pull themselves level. Last week’s win over Monaro was a scrap and a match that arguably could have gone either way, but the narrow win helps them bring momentum into this match.

They face a side in roaring form though, with Canberra FC throttling Tigers FC to the tune of 7-2 last weekend at Deakin. Paul Macor’s side have begun the year in exciting, disciplined form and with Thomas James firing on all cylinders they will test a Belconnen side who are still finding their groove. Sitting level in first place but with a game in hand means they are in a great spot, and a crunch clash with Canberra Olympic looms early in the second half of the season, and in the FFA Cup. Last week’s showing importantly showcase FC’s multiple threats going forward, with four separate players getting on to the scoresheet. An early meeting between these two last season at McKellar saw Canberra FC come out on top as 4-2 winners, and Macor will be confident on current form of leaving with the three points on Saturday night.

 

Gungahlin United v Canberra Olympic | Sunday, 3pm @ Gungahlin Enclosed

There’s only one clash on Sunday this weekend but it’s set to be a belter as Gungahlin United host Canberra Olympic at Gungahlin Enclosed. United picked up their first win of the season with a strong 4-2 win over Tuggeranong United last time out and will be keen to build on that here. Marcial Munoz’s side conceded first but struck back almost immediately, and Antoni Timotheou’s first half double helped them take the lead. United still sit in seventh place, eight points behind Olympic, but can begin making ground here as we approach the half-way mark of the season. The win means United have three matches without defeat in a row across all competitions, and that will help confidence coming into this match. These two fought out some pulsating clashes last year, with 13 goals across their two regular season matches and then an enthralling Preliminary Final meeting.

Olympic came out on top in that finals matchup, and they carry the upper hand heading into this match as well. The 2017 Premiers have not lost in all competitions since a defeat at the hands of Monaro in round two, and by all accounts scraped past the Rhinos last week with two late goals. Frank Cachia told the media afterwards that the side should have won by more and will want an improved showing here against a side that will likely also be around come the pointy end of the season. Goals are beginning to come more freely for Cachia’s team, and with players still set to return from injury things are looking bright after a shock start. This match will be a test though and a good measure of where the two sides are at as we near the halfway mark of the season.