Runners up Eastern Suburbs do battle against an out-of-form Logan Lightning on Saturday afternoon while the undefeated Peninsula Power are aiming to move within a game of a Premiership-Championship double against Souths United later that evening.

All NPL, NPLW and FQPL Finals Series matches will be livestreamed on Football Queensland Facebook and YouTube.

 

Eastern Suburbs (2) v Logan Lightning (3)
Heath Park
Saturday, 1 September, 5:00pm

Easts and Logan battle at Heath Park

Runners up Eastern Suburbs host Logan Lightning at Heath Park for a spot in the Grand Final in what is one of the most entertaining match ups in the FQPL.

Lightning have the better head-to-head record, but Easts have managed to pip their opponents to a second place overall finish and the advantage of playing at home.

The two teams last played each other in Round 14, Logan triumphing 4-2 in a see-sawing encounter that showcased a glut of free-flowing, attacking football.

They also played each other on the opening day of the season, with honours even in a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Youeil Shol, the 2018 FQPL Golden Boot award winner, scored three minutes into the round one fixture – the first of his 35 goals in the regular season.

Despite not beating Logan this season, Eastern Suburbs have the better recent record of the two with Logan suffering a late season slump in form and only recording a single victory in their last five matches.

On the other side of the coin, Easts have only lost once in their last five outings, however it was a humiliating 6-1 drubbing at the hands of fellow top four finishers Souths United.

With Easts finishing higher on the table, but Logan having the impetus in the head-to-head standings, it is almost impossible to split these two teams.

However, if recent history is anything to go by, spectators can expect a close, high-scoring encounter.

 

Peninsula Power (1) v Souths United (4)
AJ Kelly Park
Saturday, 1 September 7:00pm

Can Souths stop Power?

Undefeated Premiers Peninsula Power host a Souths United outfit who just scrapped into the top four  on goal difference in the second FQPL semi-final on Saturday night.

The two teams last meet as recently as Round 22 with the Power overwhelming Souths 4-0 in a dominant display.

Things were a lot closer when they meet earlier in Round 9, Power just edging Souths 4-3 thanks to a stoppage time winner from Ramone Close.

Thomas Strickland was the stand out player for the Power on that occasion, notching a brace, including a superbly-controlled volley from the edge of the area in what will be remembered as one of the games of the season.

The most eye-catching statistic from Power’s undefeated regular season is the fact they have not conceded a goal in their last seven consecutive games.

As for Souths, they will be buoyed by their 6-1 dismantling of runners up Eastern Suburbs two weeks ago and will need to continue that form if they’re any chance of ending Power’s invincible season and progressing to the Grand Final.

The seemingly-unstoppable Power are not only favourites to progress past Souths, but are also tipped to go all the way and complete the Premiership-Championship double.

If their previous two match ups with Souths this season are anything to go by, there is only one guarantee: there will be plenty of goals.

 

Words: Samuel Johnson
Image: Kylie Wells Images