Two huge clashes between four of the top five clubs in Queensland headline a big weekend in the NPL and FQPL Women’s competitions.
On Saturday night, second-placed Capalaba FC host fourth-placed Eastern Suburbs, while on Sunday, third-placed Gold Coast United meet fifth-placed Souths United.
All those clubs are chasing league-leaders Lions FC, who are eight points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand.
Lions play Sunshine Coast Wanderers this weekend as they look to extend their winning streak to 11 games.
Meanwhile, it will be students versus graduates as the QAS come up against a Moreton Bay United side stacked with former QAS players.
In the FQPL, Olympic FC remain in pole position, three points clear of second-placed Brisbane City.
Olympic are away this weekend against The Gap, while City face last-placed Peninsula Power and third-placed Western Pride travel to Toowoomba to play SWQ Thunder.
Fans can watch all First Grade NPL and FQPL matches LIVE on NPL.TV, free for Australian residents.
Feature matches:
Capalaba FC v Eastern Suburbs
Two of the form teams in the NPL will go head-to-head this Saturday night as Capalaba FC host Eastern Suburbs.
Capalaba are unbeaten in 13 games and are coming off a strong 2-1 win over Gold Coast United last weekend.
Goals to Larissa Crummer and Amber Simms were enough for Capalaba to see off Gold Coast and move into second spot on the ladder.
However, Eastern Suburbs have moved into the top four for the first time this season and will present a formidable opponent.
Easts have not lost a game since May and have won seven of their past eight matches, dropping points only against Capalaba in Round 13.
A win for Easts this Saturday could see them move into third place as the race to the Finals Series heats up.
Match Details
Saturday 11 September, 5:00pm
Max Haynes Field, Capalaba
Gold Coast United v Souths United
After consecutive losses at home, Souths United will be hoping to return to winning ways this Sunday on the Gold Coast.
Souths are in the middle of a tough few weeks of football which includes matches against the league’s top five teams.
After losing to Easts and Lions, Souths play Gold Coast United and Capalaba in a fortnight that could prove decisive.
All eyes will be on Souths’ playmaker Rie Kitano, who signed for W-League side Brisbane Roar midweek and comes up against her old club this Sunday.
Meanwhile, Gold Coast are coming off a loss against Capalaba and will be keen to come away with all three points this weekend.
A win for Gold Coast could see them move to second, while Souths need to win to return to the top four.
Match Details
Sunday 12 September, 3:45pm
Coplicks Family Sports Park, Tallebudgera
Key players:
Ayesha Norrie (Gold Coast United): Signed for W-League side Brisbane Roar midweek after a stellar campaign so far in 2021.
Mia Bailey (QAS): The Cairns goalkeeper will be looking to keep another clean sheet this weekend against free-scoring Moreton Bay United.
Larissa Crummer (Capalaba FC): Scored her tenth goal of the season last weekend in Capalaba’s 2-1 win over Gold Coast.
Sofie Persson (Eastern Suburbs): Persson scored the winner last weekend against Moreton Bay United and seems rejuvenated after moving to Easts from The Gap.
Click here for the NPL Round 6 Schedule.
Click here for the FQPL Round 8 Schedule.
Image: Eastern Suburbs