Article: Lachlan Roberts
Photo: Michael Daniel Photography

Belconnen United vs Tigers FC | Saturday, 29th August – 3pm @ AIS Grass Field 1 
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AIS Grass Field 1 is where Round 7 kicks off, with a crucial clash between Belconnen United and Tigers FC on Saturday afternoon. It is a battle of third vs fourth and whoever loses could fall out of the top four. Belconnen United could have ensured their finals spot last weekend but they conceded two goals in stoppage time against Canberra Croatia, which now leaves them in desperate need of all three points this weekend. If they lose to Tigers, they will have to rely on both Tuggeranong United and Canberra Olympic failing to win this weekend. Paul Macor's side will be hoping not to have a repeat of their 2019 season, where they finished in fifth spot with their goal difference kicking them out of the top-four. United have lost their last three encounters to Tigers (3-2, 3-2, 3-2) and have not made finals since their 2017 Grand Final victory of Canberra Olympic, so they will be aiming to end both of those ducks this weekend.

Tigers FC has had one topsy-turvy NPL1 season. They started strongly with two wins against Tuggeranong and Monaro, before suffering two tough losses to Canberra Croatia and Gungahlin United. They upset Canberra Olympic 4-1 away from home before astonishingly losing to Woden Weston at home last weekend, so the pattern would suggest that they will get the result this weekend but make of that what you will. A win against Belconnen United will see them climb to 12 points, safe from the clutches of Tuggeranong United and Canberra Olympic. The Tigers have a strong record against Belconnen United in recent years, so they will fancy their chances at AIS. It is bound to be an absolute classic, so make sure you don't miss this match.

Monaro Panthers vs Gungahlin United | Saturday, 29th August – 5:30pm @ Riverside Football Stadium 
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Their chances of finishing inside the top-four might have evaporated, but the Monaro Panthers will want to prove a point at Riverside Football Stadium on Saturday evening against defending champs Gungahlin United. 2020 has been a tough and disappointing year for the Panthers. Filled with optimism ahead of the season, the Panthers have only four points to their name after six matches, their only win coming against Woden Weston. If they fail to beat Gungahlin this weekend, they are in real danger of finishing the season on the bottom of the ladder, which would be a devastating result for Jimmy Kanaridis' side. In of their last four matches against United, Monaro has only been able to grab one point so it looks set to be a tough evening in Queanbeyan.

It is safe to say that Gungahlin United has struggled over the past three weeks with mixed results. Since Jack Green's late strike won all three points against Tigers in Round 4, they have lost to Tuggeranong United and scrapped back from 3-1 down to snatch a share of the points against Canberra Olympic last Saturday evening. Despite their run of form, Marcial Munoz's side has a guaranteed finals spot in 2020, but they will hope to get back to winning ways and find momentum ahead of finals.

Woden Weston vs Canberra Olympic | Saturday, 29th August – 6:25pm @ Melrose Synthetic 
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What looked set to be a goalless and winless season for Woden Weston has quickly turned into almost a salvageable situation for the Wanderers. After scoring their first goal of the season against Canberra Croatia in Round 5, they backed it up with a 1-0 against the Tigers at Nijong Oval. Granted the have still only scored once this season since their goal against the Tigers was a Christian Junna own goal, but the Wanderers won't care. If the Wanderers can back it up with a win against Canberra Olympic on Saturday night and the Panthers lose to Gungahlin, they could find themselves off the bottom of the table which would be mightily impressive.

After letting a two-goal lead slip against Gungahlin United last Saturday night, Olympic needs a solid 3+ goal win over Woden Weston and results to fall their way if they want to make the top-four. If they win comfortably against Woden Weston, their superior goals for will see them overtake either Tigers or Belconnen, regardless of the result at AIS. Olympic is winless in their last three matches, so the fact that they still have a chance to make the top-four is surprising. Olympic has an astonishing record against Woden Weston, winning their last 10 matches against the Wanderers, scoring 42 goals and conceding a measly nine. The last time the Wanderers defeated Olympic was on 27 July 2014 with a 2-1 win at Kaleen Enclosed, so expect Oympic's dominance in this fixture to continue.

Canberra Croatia vs Tuggeranong United | Sunday, 30th August – 4:45pm @ Deakin Stadium 
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The 2020 NPL1 regular season wraps up at Deakin Stadium before the competition splits off into the bottom and top-four. Top of the table Canberra Croatia hosts Tuggeranong United, focused on keeping their undefeated streak alive. Croatia showed their resilience last weekend, scoring two goals in stoppage time to ensure they finish the season on top of the ladder. CCFC has a strong record at home against Tuggeranong, having won their past two matches at the venue without conceding a goal (5-0, 3-0) so Dean Ugrinic's side will be confident that they can continue that form.

Tuggeranong United have resurrected their season after a slow start which saw them lose their opening two matches 4-0 and 5-1. After grabbing eight points from their last four matches to find themselves within touching distance of the top four, Tuggeranong will be hoping to make it 11 points from five matches on Sunday afternoon. Nothing but a win will do if United wants to play finals in 2020, which is a daunting task against the undefeated home side. Can Tuggeranong cause their second upset in three weeks and force their way into the top four? Tune in at 4:45pm to see for yourselves.