In one of the biggest weekends yet of the Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL), the race to the top four is shaping up to be just as thrilling as the Premiership battle, with four sides on the brink of Finals Series contention.
At the top of the table meanwhile, SWQ Thunder will be keen to reclaim top spot, but current ladder leaders Logan Lightning remain in fantastic form coming into Round 10 of the FQPL.
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Key Matches:
Rochedale Rovers v Logan Lightning
Logan Lightning will look to strengthen their Premiership chances as they come up against Rochedale Rovers in Round 10 of the FQPL.
This weekend’s hosts have struggled to find consistency in recent weeks, recording two losses and a draw in their last three games, including a 3-1 Round 9 loss to Ipswich Knights in their last game a fortnight ago.
Rochedale’s last taste of victory came last month against Western Pride as they secured a 4-0 win. Despite sitting in seventh though, they remain just three points outside of the top four and will need to find some winning form if they are to challenge for a Finals Series spot in 2020.
This weekend’s opponents will no doubt prove a worthy challenge. Logan Lightning sit atop the table currently, two points ahead of SWQ Thunder with a game in hand and no doubt eyeing off the Premiership with just four games left to play.
The Logan side have won their last six, recording a 3-1 victory in their last match against Wolves FC in a Round 9 clash, which followed a 3-2 defeat of fellow top two side SWQ Thunder the week prior.
If Logan Lightning can continue their run of recent form, they look on track to extend their winning streak against Rochedale Rovers this weekend.
Last time the two sides met, they had to settle for a share of the spoils in a Round 21 0-0 draw in
August this year, but both teams have everything to play for this weekend so we’re set for an entertaining Round 10 encounter.
Match Details
Saturday, 24 October, 4:30pm
Underwood Park
Live Stream Link
SWQ Thunder v Wolves FC
A top four clash this weekend will see Premiership hopefuls SWQ Thunder welcome Wolves FC for what is set to be a fascinating watch.
Currently sitting in second, SWQ Thunder have struggled in recent weeks against the higher-placed teams, recording just two wins from their last four matches.
While the Toowoomba side secured the three points against Holland Park Hawks in their last match and Souths United last month, they couldn’t do enough to claim the win against Sunshine Coast FC or Logan Lightning as they fell to two disappointing losses in Rounds 9 and 16.
With Logan Lightning currently in top spot two points ahead of Thunder, they will need to get back to the striking form from earlier in the season which saw them hold onto the ladder lead for consecutive weeks if they are to challenge for the 2020 Premiership.
Wolves FC meanwhile have come good at the right time in the season, displaying some impressive form in recent weeks which saw them record five consecutive wins against Western Pride, Rochedale Rovers, Mitchelton FC, Ipswich Knights and Southside Eagles.
A finals spot isn’t confirmed for Wolves just yet though, with three of their five recent opponents hot on their tail including Western Pride in fifth on equal points.
Their winning run came to an end last round, as Wolves fell to a 3-1 loss against current ladder leaders Logan Lightning.
This weekend will be another big test for Wolves’ finals potential as they come up against the Premiership contenders in SWQ Thunder, and the three points this round may prove vital come season’s end.
Last time the two sides met, Wolves fell to a 3-1 defeat in a Round 21 clash in August.
Match Details
Saturday, 24 October, 6pm
Clive Berghofer Stadium
Live Stream Link
Mitchelton FC v Ipswich Knights
Round 10 is set to bring a close battle between Mitchelton FC and Ipswich Knights as the race to the top four continues.
Hosts Mitchelton FC may be sitting in third, five points ahead of Wolves FC, but they have struggled against lower-placed teams in recent weeks.
In their last four matches, they’ve recorded just one win alongside two draws and a loss, but will come into the clash off the back of a 4-1 win against Holland Park Hawks.
The win followed two draws against Souths United and Rochedale Rovers, and a disappointing 3-1 loss against Wolves FC in Round 15 last month.
Ipswich Knights meanwhile remain one point outside the top four in sixth, and will look to make it three straight wins this weekend against Mitchelton as they push for a top four spot.
The last two rounds saw the side record wins against Rochedale Rovers (3-1) and Holland Park Hawks (2-0), following a draw and a loss in the weeks prior.
While they may sit outside the top four for now, Ipswich Knights are certainly a chance this weekend and won’t be an easy opponent against a Mitchelton FC side who will need to build on last week’s win to finish the season strong.
Their last encounter this year was a close one, with Mitchelton coming out on top in a 1-0 win in Round 21.
Match Details
Saturday, 24 October, 7pm
Teralba Park
Live Stream Link
Other Round 10 Matches:
Southside Eagles v Holland Park Hawks
Saturday, 24 October, 4:30pm
Perry Park
Live Stream Link
Souths United v Sunshine Coast FC
Saturday, 24 October, 6:30pm
Wakerley Park
Live Stream Link
Players to Watch:
Jack Cabassi (Rochedale Rovers): Cabassi’s performance against Ipswich Knights last round booked him a place in the Team of the Week, and he could prove vital this weekend as Rochedale take on the ladder leaders.
Lucky Joe (Ipswich Knights): Scoring two goals in his last two matches, Joe’s form for Knights saw him earn a spot in the last FQPL Team of the Week and he will need to be at his best again against Mitchelton FC.
Brodie Welch (SWQ Thunder): The club’s leading goalscorer will need to find the back of the net this weekend if he is to help his side reclaim top spot.
Image: SWQ Thunder
