Two heavyweight Queensland clubs with rich histories and differing form lines are ready to light up the NPL Men’s amid a mouth-watering midweek offering in Round 11.

Ten teams in total will be in action across a busy Wednesday night that could create more movement at the pointy end of the table.

Watch every minute live and on demand at NPL.TV, free for Australian residents.

Feature Match: Lions FC v Brisbane Strikers

Not much has gone to plan for Brisbane Strikers since their last meeting with Lions FC less than a month ago.

Impressive 2-0 winners that August evening, their luck seemed to disappear almost immediately as an unfortunate run with injuries took a toll on the squad.

Results have dipped to the extent that Strikers are now winless in five games and a looming rematch with the competition’s top team is unlikely to offer any comfort.

Lions roared back into first over the weekend as they came from behind to claim a crucial 3-1 victory over title rivals Peninsula Power.

Jean Carlos Solorzano, Joe Duckworth and teenager Fletcher McDonald scored second-half goals to complete the comeback and move the Premiers back to their perch.

Now back to winning ways after ending August with a draw and a defeat, Lions are sure to be brimming with belief as they seek to right the wrongs of the recent trip to Perry Park.

Their confidence will only grow greater if midfielder Danny Kim returns to the fold following the conclusion of his loan spell at Brisbane Roar.

But, with little room for error at the summit, anything less than three points could result in Lions quickly sliding back to fourth, a position Strikers can only hope to claim if they mount a quick turnaround.

Match Details
Lions FC v Brisbane Strikers
Wednesday, 9 September, 7:30pm
Lions Stadium
Live Stream Link

Key Matches:

Peninsula Power v Moreton Bay United

With seven points from three games and an ability to overcome deficits, Moreton Bay United are becoming one of the teams to watch in the NPL Men’s.

Jackson Courtney-Perkins and Linden Farr fired the Jets to a 2-1 win over fifth-placed Brisbane Roar Youth in Round 7 and Royce Brownlie’s men are looking capable of challenging the four other teams that sit above them.

Now, though, comes a stern test against high-quality opposition who will be stinging from their loss at Lions.

Power had that game – and top spot – in their grasp for over 40 minutes, but Brenton Fox’s opener ultimately went unrewarded.

The eventual defeat will have disappointed Aaron Philp but the Kippa-Ring club still hold a game in hand on Gold Coast Knights and two on both Lions and Olympic FC.

Match Details
Wednesday, 9 September, 7:30pm
AJ Kelly Park
Live Stream Link

Olympic FC v Redlands United

Both ends of the table will come into sharp focus when third-placed Olympic entertain a refreshed Redlands United at Goodwin Park.

The Red Devils had a chance to regroup and refocus with a Round 7 bye after suffering back-to-back defeats.

The extra training time will need to have been a success if the visitors, who sit two points above the bottom, are to upset an ominous-looking Olympic.

Ben Cahn’s side produced a strong 4-1 victory against Brisbane City at the weekend to complement their recent win over Lions, two results that have highlighted the potential for last season’s beaten Grand Finalists to go deep into the Finals Series once again.

Match Details
Wednesday, 9 September, 7:30pm
Goodwin Park
Live Stream Link

Other Matches:

Brisbane City v Brisbane Roar Youth
Wednesday, 9 September, 7:30pm
Corporate Travel Management Stadium
Live Stream Link

Capalaba FC v Gold Coast United
Wednesday, 9 September, 7:30pm
John Fredericks Park
Live Stream Link

Key Players:

Jean Carlos Solorzano (Lions FC): Back in Richlands and back in the goalscoring groove, striker Solorzano will be looking to make it two goals in as many matches since returning to Lions.

Frederick Yinka-Kehinde (Olympic FC): An FQPL Team of the Season entrant in 2019, Yinka-Kehinde is continuing to develop into one of the NPL Men’s leading attacking talents, as his weekend goal against City and subsequent Team of the Week berth confirmed.

Thomas Strickland (Peninsula Power): Power need a lift after slipping up at Lions and skilful midfielder Strickland, their leading scorer, could be the man to make the difference against Moreton Bay.

Image: Ian Judd/Lions FC