The race for points is on in the National Premier Leagues as the halfway mark of the men’s competition approaches and the mid-season split looms in the women’s competition.
The action kicks off on Friday night in the NPL Women’s as Capalaba FC take on Olympic FC, a match that will likely feature current and former W-League players on both sides.
Capalaba and Olympic will meet twice in the space of five days, first in the league and then on Tuesday night in the Round of 16 in the Kappa Women’s Super Cup.
On Saturday, 11th-placed Eastern Suburbs will be hoping to gain valuable points against Sunshine Coast Wanderers as they fight for a spot in the top eight, while Virginia United come up against high-flying northside rival Moreton Bay United.
After two consecutive losses, defending premiers Gold Coast United will be determined to bounce back against the QAS, while Logan Lightning will enter their clash with Mitchelton FC buoyed by last weekend’s draw against Capalaba.
In the NPL Men’s, league-leaders Peninsula Power come up against Capalaba FC as they look to make it 11 straight in front of their home fans at AJ Kelly Park.
Gold Coast United and Redlands United will battle for much-needed points, with both sides coming off 3-2 losses last weekend.
Ninth-placed Eastern Suburbs have a tough assignment against third-placed Gold Coast Knights, while Lions FC and Sunshine Coast Wanderers will be looking to stay in touch with the top six in matches against Magpies Crusaders United and Brisbane Strikers respectively.
Meanwhile, Olympic FC will host Logan Lightning in Goodwin Park with a view to extending their unbeaten streak to eight games.
Fans can watch all First Grade NPL Men’s and Women’s matches live on NPL.TV, free for Australian residents.
Feature matches
Moreton Bay United v Brisbane Roar
After a big win over Capalaba last weekend, fifth-placed Moreton Bay United face a much tougher test against Brisbane Roar on Sunday afternoon.
The Roar, who sit second on the ladder, have been one of the standout sides this season in the NPL Men’s, scoring more goals than any other side.
But as the A-League finals series approaches, they will once again be without boom attackers Alex Parsons and Cyrus Dehmie.
Eli Adams has stepped up in their absence in recent weeks, scoring four goals in the past four games.
The Roar will come up against a confident Moreton Bay United side that put six past Capalaba FC last weekend.
Going forward, the Jets will again look to Ono Ryo and Zac Kierpal, who between them have scored 20 of Moreton Bay’s 30 goals this season.
The Jets are currently sitting fifth on the ladder, seven points behind Brisbane Roar, with three games against lower-table sides to follow.
A win over the Roar would put them in a great position to cement their spot in the top four.
Match details:
Sunday 6 June, 6:00pm
Wolter Park, Albany Creek
Souths United v Brisbane City
Third plays seventh this Saturday night as Souths United host Brisbane City at Wakerley Park.
After winning four of their opening five games, City have endured a torrid month of May, losing four games on the trot with no goals for and 17 against.
By contrast, Souths United have been one of the most consistent sides in the competition, winning seven games with just one loss to Capalaba FC.
Souths’ success has been built on the creativity of Rie Kitano and the twin attacking threats of Dominique Spampinato and Amy Moreland.
Kitano, Spampinato and Moreland were all on the scoresheet last weekend as Souths dismantled The Gap FC in an inspired second half performance.
After three wins in a row, Souths face a tough month ahead with games against Gold Coast, Virginia, Lions and Moreton Bay.
A win this weekend against City would give Souths plenty of confidence as they look to qualify for finals football for the first time since 2018.
Match Details:
Saturday 5 June, 6:30pm
Wakerley Park, Runcorn
Key players:
Eli Adams (Brisbane Roar): The Toowoomba youngster has seven goals in 11 games, including a winner against Gold Coast United in Round 10 and a late equaliser in Round 11 against Olympic FC.
James Bonomi (Redlands United): Scored a brace in Redlands’ loss away in Mackay last weekend, including a classy effort from range that earned him a Goal of the Week nomination.
Darcie Wilson (Brisbane City): After scoring eight goals in the opening five rounds, City’s go-to striker has been starved of opportunities in the past few weeks. Will be crucial if City are to turn their season around this weekend against Souths.
Brittney Lacek (Logan Lightning): Scored the equaliser last weekend as Logan drew 2-2 with Capalaba, taking her tally to seven for the season.
NPL Men’s Schedule:
Peninsula Power v Capalaba FC
Saturday 5 June, 5:00pm
A J Kelly Park, Kippa Ring
Gold Coast United v Redlands United
Saturday 5 June, 6:30pm
Coplick Family Sports Park, Tallebudgera
Eastern Suburbs v Gold Coast Knights
Saturday 5 June, 7:00pm
Heath Park, East Brisbane
Lions FC v Magpies Crusaders United
Saturday 5 June, 7:00pm
Lions Stadium, Richlands
Sunshine Coast Wanderers v Brisbane Strikers
Sunday 6 June, 4:15pm
Ballinger Park, Buderim
Olympic FC v Logan Lightning
Sunday 6 June, 6:00pm
Goodwin Park, Yeronga
NPL Women’s Schedule:
Capalaba FC v Olympic FC
Friday 4 June, 8:30pm
Max Haynes Field, Capalaba
The Gap FC v SWQ Thunder
Saturday 5 June, 4:45pm
Walton Bridge Reserve, The Gap
Eastern Suburbs v Sunshine Coast Wanderers
Saturday 5 June, 4:45pm
Heath Park, East Brisbane
Virginia United FC v Moreton Bay United
Saturday 5 June, 5:00pm
Albert Bishop Park, Nundah
Peninsula Power v Western Pride
Sunday 6 June, 4:00pm
A J Kelly Park, Kippa Ring
QAS v Gold Coast United
Sunday 6 June, 4:00pm
Clem Jones Field, Meakin Park
Logan Lightning v Mitchelton FC
Tuesday 8 June, 7:30pm
Cornubia Park, Loganholme
BYE – Lions FC
Image: Ian R Judd – AQUA [PD]/Lions FC.