Round 11 of the National Premier Leagues is headlined by a blockbuster clash between Moreton Bay United and Gold Coast United in the women’s competition, and two huge matches between the top four sides in the men’s competition.

Third-placed Gold Coast Knights take on league leaders Peninsula Power on Saturday night, while second-placed Brisbane Roar play Olympic FC on Sunday afternoon.

Further down the ladder, Moreton Bay United travel south to play Capalaba FC, and sixth-placed Lions FC meet eighth-placed Sunshine Coast Wanderers at Lions Stadium.

Brisbane Strikers will be hoping for a win on Sunday evening at home against Eastern Suburbs following the appointment of former player Vedran Becirbegovic as head coach.

In the NPL Women’s, fourth-placed Moreton Bay United will host second-placed Gold Coast United, while new entrant Virginia United will face its toughest assignment yet against high-flying Lions FC.

After two strong wins in the past fortnight, Souths United travel north to The Gap FC on Friday. The Gap, who are coming off their first league win in eight weeks, will be looking to turn their season around in the first of three consecutive games at home.

With the season split fast approaching, it will be a scrap for points at the bottom half of the ladder as SWQ Thunder host Peninsula Power, and Western Pride meet Mitchelton FC.

Fans can watch all First Grade NPL Men’s and Women’s matches live on NPL.TV, free for Australian residents.

Feature matches:

Gold Coast Knights v Peninsula Power

After a strong win over Brisbane Strikers last weekend, third-placed Gold Coast Knights face a much tougher test against league-leaders Peninsula Power on Saturday night.

Defending premiers Power are still yet to drop points this season and have a two-point lead at the top of the table with a game in hand.

It has been a near-perfect start for the Power, who also eased past Ipswich Knights midweek in the FFA Cup.

Boom striker Andy Pengelly is once again scoring for fun, registering 14 goals across the league and the Cup, including a hat-trick against Brisbane Strikers last Sunday followed by a double against Ipswich on Wednesday.

May has been a crucial month for the Knights, with a crammed schedule of six games in the league and the FFA Cup.

Saturday night’s clash will be Knights’ third game in seven days after they beat Moreton Bay last weekend in the league and Holland Park Hawks in the midweek FFA Cup game.

For the Knights, who are always strong at home at the Croatian Sports Centre, it is a terrific opportunity to draw level with the Power as the race for the premiership heats up.

Match details:
Saturday 29 May, 6:30pm
Croatian Sports Centre, Carrara

Moreton Bay United v Gold Coast United

Moreton Bay United have the chance to move to second spot on the ladder this Saturday in a home game against Gold Coast United.

After strong wins over Brisbane City and The Gap, as well as a thumping 9-0 victory against Peninsula Power, the Jets have had a brilliant month of May and will be looking for their fourth win in as many weeks.

The key to their success has been the twin threats of Samantha Bambling and Sharn Freier, who have scored ten goals between them in the last three outings.

The Jets will come up against a wounded Gold Coast United side that lost 5-0 to Lions FC last weekend.

The scoreline was perhaps surprising considering Gold Coast had not previously lost a game or been kept scoreless this season.

Despite the hiccup, Gold Coast remain one of the teams to beat with sensational strike power in Isabella Habuda, Deeanna Thompson and Kira Richards-Bassett.

Match Details:
Saturday 29 May, 3:30pm
Wolter Park, Albany Creek

Key players:

Josh Pin (Eastern Suburbs): The Cairns attacker scored two crucial goals against Lions FC last weekend as Easts mounted a second-half comeback to draw 3-3.

Curtis Stollery (Gold Coast Knights): Earned a Goal of the Week nomination for his stunning strike in last week’s win over Moreton Bay United.

Molly Waddingham (Moreton Bay United): Moreton Bay’s midfield metronome has been a quiet achiever for the Jets this season, scoring her third goal of the season last weekend against Brisbane City.

Tegan Riding (Lions FC): The veteran striker scored a double in Lions FC’s convincing 5-0 win over Gold Coast United last weekend, taking her tally to 12 for the season.

NPL Men’s Schedule:

Capalaba FC v Moreton Bay United
Friday 28 May, 8:30pm
Max Haynes Field, Capalaba

Logan Lightning v Gold Coast United
Saturday 29 May, 6:30pm
Cornubia Park, Loganholme

Gold Coast Knights v Peninsula Power
Saturday 29 May, 7:30pm
Croatian Sports Centre, Carrara

Magpies Crusaders United v Redlands United
Saturday 29 May, 7:30pm
Sologinkin Oval, Mackay

Brisbane Roar v Olympic FC
Sunday 30 May, 4:45pm
Goodwin Park, Yeronga

Lions FC v Sunshine Coast Wanderers
Sunday 30 May, 6:00pm
Lions Stadium, Richlands

Brisbane Strikers v Eastern Suburbs
Sunday 30 May, 6:00pm
Perry Park, Bowen Hills

NPL Women’s Schedule:

The Gap FC v Souths United
Friday 28 May, 7:30pm
Walton Bridge Reserve, The Gap

SWQ Thunder v Peninsula Power
Saturday 29 May, 3:45pm
Clive Berghofer Stadium, Toowoomba

Logan Lightning v Capalaba FC
Saturday 29 May, 4:15pm
Cornubia Park, Loganholme

Lions FC v Virginia United FC
Saturday 29 May, 5:15pm
Lions Stadium, Richlands

Western Pride v Mitchelton FC
Sunday 30 May, 4:00pm
Briggs Sporting Complex, Ipswich

Sunshine Coast Wanderers v Olympic FC
Sunday 30 May, 4:15pm
Ballinger Park, Buderim

BYE – Eastern Suburbs

Image: Peninsula Power