Points remain close at both ends of the table, with every remaining match of the regular season now a must-win for many clubs in the race to the Premiership and the fight for survival.
Brisbane Strikers will welcome Olympic FC on Saturday night in Round 28 of the NPL Queensland.
The Match of the Round clash will be available to view live and on demand on the FQ website, FQ Facebook and FQ YouTube.
Both sides have had a mixed run of form in recent weeks.
Strikers have recorded two losses in their last five matches, including a 3-0 loss to Gold Coast Knights last week and a 4-2 loss to Brisbane City in Round 24.
The side has also experienced some success in recent weeks however, most notably in their FFA Cup defeat of Hyundai A-League side Wellington Phoenix last Wednesday to book their spot in the Round of 16.
Fellow FFA Cup Round of 16 qualifiers Olympic FC have also had mixed results recently.
After a run of two losses and one draw, Olympic got back into the winners’ circle last weekend with a 3-2 win over Brisbane City in their Round 27 clash.
While the Premiership is all but out of reach for the top four side, they will no doubt be keen for a strong finish to the regular season ahead of the Finals Series.
Last time the two sides met resulted in a 1-1 draw in Round 13 and if recent form is anything to go by, this weekend’s match could be just as close.
MATCH DETAILS:
Brisbane Strikers v Olympic FC
Saturday, 17 August, 6pm
Perry Park
Other matches to watch:
Brisbane City v Magpies Crusaders:
Brisbane City will look to return to winning ways against Magpies Crusaders this weekend having recorded three straight losses, all to top four teams. Magpies meanwhile secured a solid 4-1 win over Eastern Suburbs last weekend thanks to a Kyren Walters hat-trick, and will back up after this clash for an FFA Cup Round of 16 match down south next Wednesday. Last time they met, City recorded a dominant 5-0 win in Mackay in Round 13.
Brisbane Roar Youth v Gold Coast Knights:
Brisbane Roar Youth have lost their last two matches, against Brisbane City and Brisbane Strikers, and will face another tough task this weekend coming up against top three side Gold Coast Knights. Knights on the other hand are currently flying high on a six-game winning streak and will look to extend this as season’s end draws near. The Gold Coast side haven’t conceded a goal in their last four games and remain within reach of the Premiership but look likely to settle for a place somewhere in the top three based on their run home.
Players to watch:
Kyren Walters (Magpies Crusaders FC): Walters’ hat-trick against Eastern Suburbs last week helped his side to a solid 4-1 win, and they will need him to repeat his goal scoring form as Magpies travel to play Brisbane City.
Shelford Dais (Olympic FC): Dais scored a 90th minute winner in last week’s 3-2 victory against Brisbane City to earn his team the three points, and a spot in the NPL Queensland Team of the Week, and can make an impact come this weekend’s match against Strikers.
David Salin (Redlands United): The defender has been a consistent force for Redlands in their recent resurgence, featuring in the last two NPL Queensland Teams of the Week.
Image: Kylie Wells Images/Peninsula Power
