The stakes are as high as ever this weekend as SWQ Thunder and Logan Lightning vie for top spot in a nail-biting top two clash in Round 16 of the Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL).
The race to finals is also heating up, with three sides sitting on equal points and ready to battle it out for a place in the top four.
Watch all of this weekend’s FQPL matches live on NPL.TV.
Feature Match: Logan Lightning v SWQ Thunder
We’re in for a treat in the FQPL this weekend as current ladder leaders SWQ Thunder travel to take on second-placed Logan Lightning in what is set to be a thrilling Round 16 clash.
Just one point separates the two teams heading into this round, with an equal goal difference making the weekend’s battle all the more important on both sides.
Hosts Logan Lightning come into the match with four straight wins to their name in recent weeks, securing the three points against Southside Eagles, Souths United, Ipswich Knights and Holland Park Hawks. In their last four matches, Logan have scored 11 goals and conceded just one.
Their last loss came five weeks ago in a 1-0 Round 6 defeat at the hands of Western Pride – their sole loss in their 2020 campaign to date.
The top two sides have defeats against Western Pride in common coming into this round, with SWQ Thunder recording just one loss in their last five games in a shock 6-1 Round 14 result against Pride.
Thunder have secured wins in their last two matches, including a 3-2 comeback victory against Ipswich Knights in Round 15, and a recent 4-1 win against Souths United last weekend.
A 2-2 draw ensued last time Logan Lightning and SWQ Thunder met, in Round 5 at the beginning of August. This weekend’s battle is looking just as close, with a nail-biting encounter set for this round’s FQPL Feature Match.
Match Details
Saturday, 3 October, 5pm
Cornubia Park
Live Stream Link
Other Key Matches:
Western Pride v Wolves FC
Western Pride will welcome a Wolves FC side in red-hot form for Round 16 of the FQPL this weekend.
Currently sitting in sixth and fourth respectively on equal points, a win this weekend could prove vital in the race to finals.
Hosts Pride haven’t managed to secure a win in their last three games, recording two straight losses to Rochedale Rovers and Mitchelton FC before a 2-2 draw with Holland Park Hawks last weekend.
While they’ve struggled to find consistent form in their latest matches, the Ipswich side have recorded wins against the current top two sides in recent months, including a stunning 6-1 victory over ladder leaders SWQ Thunder thanks to doubles to Nathan Yoon and Yuta Hirayama.
Wolves FC meanwhile will be keen to extend their winning run this weekend, having recorded four consecutive wins against Southside Eagles, Ipswich Knights, Mitchelton FC and Rochedale Rovers.
Their last loss came a month ago in a mid-week clash with Mitchelton FC, but Wolves will bring plenty of confidence into their Round 16 encounter with Western Pride after producing a dominant performance last time the two sides met to secure a 4-0 victory.
Match Details
Saturday, 3 October, 7pm
Briggs Road Sporting Complex
Live Stream Link
Ipswich Knights v Holland Park Hawks
Two sides desperate for a win will meet this weekend as Ipswich Knights and Holland Park Hawks go head to head.
Ipswich Knights remain in seventh, just four points out of the top four but behind three other teams all challenging for a finals finish.
This weekend’s hosts haven’t tasted victory since Round 22 in August, when they recorded a 2-1 win against Western Pride.
Since then, Knights have recorded four consecutive losses followed by a draw last weekend to Sunshine Coast FC in their Round 8 clash.
Holland Park Hawks have garnered similar results recently, recording three losses and two draws in their last five matches, including last week’s 2-2 draw with Western Pride.
Their last win came in August, a 4-0 defeat of Southside Eagles in Round 21, marking just their third win of the season.
Last time this round’s opponents met, Ipswich Knights put three goals past Holland Park Hawks to record a 3-1 win in Round 5 of the FQPL.
Match Details
Sunday, 4 October, 3pm
Eric Evans Oval
Live Stream Link
Other Round 16 Matches:
Souths United v Mitchelton FC
Saturday, 3 October, 6:30pm
Wakerley Park
Live Stream Link
Southside Eagles v Sunshine Coast FC
Sunday, 4 October, 3pm
Perry Park
Live Stream Link
Players to Watch:
Russell Parker (Wolves FC): One of five Players of the Month for September, Parker has been consistently strong at the back for Wolves to help them establish a four-match winning streak.
Jed Brown (Logan Lightning): His side’s joint leading goalscorer, Brown’s recent form secured him a spot in the Round 8 Team of the Week, and he will need to be at his best against the ladder leaders this weekend.
Veco Serugo (SWQ Thunder): Selected in both the Round 8 Team of the Week and as one of five Players of the Month for September, Serugo has been a key part of SWQ Thunder’s recent success.
Image: SWQ Thunder
