Finals Series spots and promotion hopes hang in the balance heading into a potentially decisive Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL) weekend.
Most teams have just two games remaining and at least seven sides are still in the mix to fill the top four places.
Catch all Round 17 matches live on NPL.TV, free for Australian residents.
Key Matches:
Wolves FC v Holland Park Hawks
Wolves FC have the chance to take a big step towards a Finals Series spot when Holland Park Hawks visit Carmichael Park on Friday night.
Matt Chandler’s men have a one-point lead and a game in hand on fifth-placed Ipswich Knights, but Wolves (28 points) have played a match more than sixth-placed Rochedale Rovers (25 points) and have to be careful.
Recent results suggest this particular fixture should fall in their favour.
While Wolves won 5-1 away to Souths United last Saturday, Holland Park haven’t tasted victory since 16 August.
Three points for the home side would rule Knights out of top-four contention, almost end Western Pride’s hopes, and make the equation difficult for Rochedale.
This is, simply, a match that matters to many clubs.
Match Details
Friday, 6 November, 7:30pm
Carmichael Park
Live Stream Link
SWQ Thunder v Southside Eagles
The regular season ends on Saturday for SWQ Thunder and it will have to end with a win if they are to remain a strong chance of capturing promotion.
Logan Lightning are breathing down Thunder’s necks and have two games in hand that could prove crucial in the battle for top spot.
But results elsewhere cannot be the primary concern for this SWQ side. Dealing with Southside Eagles at Clive Berghofer Stadium comes first.
The visitors have endured a tough year, but Tuesday’s goalless draw against Holland Park represented progress – importantly, it was their second clean sheet of the campaign.
It would be a major achievement to record another against a team that scored eight goals against them in August.
Match Details
Saturday, 7 November, 6:00pm
Clive Berghofer Stadium
Live Stream Link
Western Pride v Logan Lightning
SWQ’s result against Southside will count for little if Logan go on to claim five points or more from their final three fixtures.
That’s all Rick Coghlan and his high-quality squad need to cement first spot and a place in next season’s NPL Men’s competition.
Logan have their destiny in their own hands after sweeping aside Sunshine Coast FC in Round 11, scoring five goals en route to a seventh successive victory.
Western Pride, who sit seventh with eight wins from 18 games, will be aiming to interrupt Lightning’s charge to the title.
They remain a mathematical chance of reaching the top four and notably beat this weekend’s opponents 1-0 at Cornubia Park back in August.
Match Details
Saturday, 7 November, 7:00pm
Briggs Road Sporting Complex
Live Stream Link
Other Round 17 Matches:
Rochedale Rovers v Souths United
Friday, 6 November, 7:15pm
Underwood Park
Live Stream Link
Sunshine Coast FC v Mitchelton FC
Sunday, 8 November, 4:00pm
Kawana Western Precinct
Live Stream Link
Players to Watch:
Brodie Welch (SWQ Thunder): On target twice in Thunder’s 5-0 win over Mitchelton, attacker Welch is up to an equal-high 12 for the season. He could have more goals in store in Toowoomba this Saturday.
Will Orford (Western Pride): The former South Melbourne midfielder scored the 90th-minute goal that earned Pride their narrow victory over Lightning earlier this season and also got on the scoresheet against the Southside in October.
Greg Cheshire (Rochedale Rovers): Rochedale need their experienced leading scorer to fire against Souths United in order to stay in touch with the top four.
Image: David Wilson Photography
