Intriguing matchups affecting both ends of the ladder await in Round 20 of the National Premier Leagues (NPL) Queensland.
League leaders Olympic FC travel north to face the in-form Cairns FC, top four contenders Moreton Bay United and Western Pride clash at Wolter Park while SWQ Thunder and Magpies Crusaders play out a relegation tussle in Toowoomba.
Redlands United FC v Brisbane City FC
Cleveland Showgrounds 1
Friday, 6 July, 7.00pm
Redlands and City kick off Round 20
Redlands United host cross-town rivals Brisbane City in the first NPL Queensland match of the round.
Redlands had a morale-boosting win over Sunshine Coast FC last time out – a match in which Connor Mcauley netted three times – and will fancy their chances against City, despite the 10 point gap that separates the two sides.
City have just one win in their past five outings and haven’t kept a clean sheet since their Round 14 win over Lions FC.
Sunshine Coast FC v Lions FC
Sunshine Coast Stadium
Saturday, 7 July, 2.00pm
Fire host Lions
A tough match awaits Sunshine Coast FC on Saturday afternoon as third-placed Lions FC journey up the Bruce Highway to Sunshine Coast Stadium.
The Fire suffered an incredible 13-0 loss at the hands of Lions when these two sides met in Round 7 and have only kept one clean sheet all season.
Lions have won their last five matches in a row, including a thrilling 3-2 victory over Western Pride last weekend.
SWQ Thunder v Magpies Crusaders FC
Clive Berghofer Stadium
Saturday, 7 July, 5.00pm
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Relegation battle in Toowoomba
In a match that could prove vital come the end of the season, SWQ Thunder play host to Magpies Crusaders on Saturday night at Clive Berghofer Stadium.
Thunder sit three places and nine points clear of the relegation zone, while Magpies are dangerously close – just three points ahead of North Queensland United in 13th place.
The last time these two sides met, Thunder’s Anthony Grant scored a 91st minute winner in a 4-3 win after Magpies were ahead 2-0 up at half-time.
Moreton Bay United v Western Pride
Wolter Park 1
Saturday, 7 July, 6.00pm
Top four clash at Wolter Park
With both teams on 42 competition points and separated by two places on goal difference, Saturday night’s clash could prove significant come finals time.
Western Pride ran out comprehensive 5-0 winners when these two clubs met in Round 7 but will need to regroup after a demoralising 3-2 loss to Lions last weekend.
The Jets haven’t played at home since Round 16 and are undefeated in their last four fixtures at Wolter Park.
Cairns FC v Olympic FC
Barlow Park
Saturday, 7 July, 6.30pm
In-form Taylor’s Cairns host league leaders Olympic
Cairns FC face one of their toughest tests of the season so far, welcoming current league leaders Olympic FC to Barlow Park on Saturday night.
The home side are in a remarkable run of form, having won their past five matches which has included three trips to Brisbane and one visit to the Sunshine Coast.
Olympic will be keeping close tabs on Cairns FC striker Josh Taylor who has netted 10 times in those five wins and will be keen to add to his tally in front of a home crowd.
Brisbane Roar Youth v Brisbane Strikers
Logan Metro Sports Complex
Saturday, 7 July, 7.00pm
Fourth home game in a row for Roar
Brisbane Roar Youth host Brisbane Strikers at Logan Metro Sports Complex in what is their fourth home fixture in a row.
In those four matches, the Young Roar has recorded a mixed bag of results – two losses, two draws and just the one victory.
Strikers, who conceded five last week at the hands of Cairns FC, will like their chances against the youngsters after taking a 4-1 win in the reverse fixture in Round 7.
Gold Coast United v North Queensland United
Cornubia Park
Saturday, 7 July, 8.00pm
Please note the late change in venue and kick-off time
NQU trek to Gold Coast
An intriguing battle awaits in Robina on Saturday evening as North Queensland United make the long trip south to play Gold Coast United.
Gold Coast is without a win since Round 15, a series of results that has seen them slip to ninth on the NPL Queensland ladder, while North Queensland has recorded just four wins all season.
