Mt Franklin Women's Premier League Preview - RD9
Apart from catch-up games, of which there are many, we reach the halfway point of the season with the ladder yet to really sort itself out except of course for Mitchelton who are powering away at the summit. This weekend features possibly the Mustangs toughest home game of the season when the welcome the Capalaba Bulldogs to Teralba Park. It’s the game of the round. On with the show... Virginia United vs Souths United Friday 8:30pm at Albert Bishop Park Virginia United lost to Annerley last weekend which leaves them in a precarious position. Both teams immediately below them on the ladder have two games in hand so they need to take some points soon or they could be struggling not to get relegated. They shouldn’t have too much problem this weekend but the pressure is on them. Souths United may have lost by a lot of goals last weekend against Capalaba but it could easily have been plenty worse. They just need to keep plugging on, learning as they go. This game could fall their way if they create and convert some chances so motivation is a big factor. Luck will be on their side at some point. Virginia have to win this game, Souths don’t. That’s basically the difference but it would be a stretch not to see a home victory. Prediction: Virginia 3-1 Peninsula Power vs Eastern Suburbs Saturday 2:30pm at AJ “Jock” Kelly Field Peninsula Power copped a bit of a surprise shellacking last weekend which allowed Pine Hills to jump above them and into the important fourth place. While it’s not a disaster, it’s definitely an opportunity missed. They should be warm favourites to win this game and a return to the wide open spaces at home will help. Eastern Suburbs conceded a narrow 1-0 loss to The Gap last weekend which leaves them still in the second relegation position. Even with two catch-up games in hand they’ll need to get a wriggle on if they are to make the top four and this game shapes up as being a lot more difficult. Despite their poor return last week, Peninsula will be expecting three points from this game. If there is to be an upset, though, it could be here. Prediction: Power 2-1 Logan Lightning vs Pine Hills Saturday 6pm at Cornubia Park Logan Lightning are the under-performers so far this year, but got closer last weekend than anyone has against Mitchelton. Form hasn’t been too bad but they need to find the net more often in a league which has already given us plenty of goals. An improvement at the other end would help with the only clean sheet coming against Souths. Pine Hills are into the top four again and must be happy with such a dominant win against their Northern rivals last weekend. Once again the games in hand make a difference because they need to keep winning to stay where they are. Expectations of a win are deserved but even a draw could cause problems. Logan will need more than one goal to win and they will need to be at their best for that happen. Tight but Hills should come away with the points. Prediction: Hills 3-2 Mitchelton vs Capalaba Saturday 6:15pm at Teralba Park Mitchelton are in a different class at the moment although they showed some minor cracks last weekend but still won. The benchmark is set, the only question is can they hold on long enough? Eventually the chasing pack will narrow the gap but not yet. Their toughest test of the season up to this point. Capalaba are clear second and also the next best team after the Mustangs. They will really fancy themselves to get something here with tactics looking to have a big part in proceedings. They longer they go without conceding, the more their chances will increase exponentially. Tough ask, but a draw would give some confidence. Mitchelton may slip up at some stage but they will know the importance of this game. If they win, the title is theirs to lose. Prediction: Mitchelton 3-1. The Gap vs Annerley Sunday 6pm at Walton Bridge Reserve The Gap secured their best three points of the season so far with a narrow win over the Tigers but need to back that up if they are to stay in contention. It’s not going to be easy despite being at home against the third placed team. Not conceding a goal last week was vital and defence like that could take them further. Annerley are definitely better than their form suggests and last weekend’s confident win over Virginia United is a good marker. This game is more important than it looks on paper because they could easily roll over if they aren’t careful. They have a great chance of going into second if Capalaba get beaten by Mitchelton. Annerley need to win this type of game if they plan on taking out some silverware. The Gators are good enough if they play well enough. Prediction: Annerley 2-1
