Flight Centre Premier League Weekly Preview - RD16
Only five games were completed last week, with Peninsula Power vs Logan FC being the only game where the favourites actually went on to win. It’s been that kind of season and suddenly we have a new contender on our hands in Souths United who sit third on the table. On with the show... Albany Creek vs Grange Thistle Friday 8:30pm at Wolter Park Albany Creek would definitely have pencilled in three points from this contest some time ago but it’s become a high-pressure affair which at the very least could see their title hopes over if they lose. Last weekend’s handy draw against Eastern Suburbs promises an improvement and a return to the consistency which marked the first half of the year. It’s worth noting that 17 of their 22 points have come at home. Grange Thistle can relax and focus on a serious Pig 'N' Whistle Canale Cup run after the high-adrenaline events of the last fortnight. How that affects their league performances remains to be seen but it could well be a positive as they work their new look side into shape. Thistle are officially no longer pushovers for anyone, so they have every chance of taking something at Wolter Park. Both teams have questions surrounding them which makes them unpredictable on the day. ACE rarely lose at home. Prediction: 1-1 draw.
Peninsula Power vs Mitchelton
Saturday 6pm at AJ Kelly Field
Peninsula Power would have understood the importance of this game a long time ago but in the context of a title blockbuster rather than a desperate struggle to keep themselves in the running for the semi-finals. Impossible to predict all season, things look as good as ever and the addition of Michael Baird to the line-up is sure to be a big bonus with two goals last week making a confident statement.
Mitchelton probably didn’t realise the enormity of the incredible upset loss to Ipswich Knights straight away but they are sure to have their heads around it now. For the first time in 2017 the title is out of their hands and they must rely on others conceding lots of goals if they are to win under their own steam. A win in this game is as valuable as it gets because without three points they probably drop out of the top four.
Mitchelton have got this far without mirroring the form collapses plaguing everyone else. Power won’t be favourites but at home, they should be. Prediction: Power 2-1
Capalaba vs Logan Lightning Saturday 6pm at John Fredericks Park. Capalaba are still struggling to stay afloat with players abandoning regularly. Still, they have improved and, obviously, have further room to improve. There is a chance they could get beaten heavily each week but they will still get points from the remaining games. The real question is which teams will they play well against? It could be this one as they search for redemption from the awful performance at Cornubia Park. Logan Lightning fell to Peninsula Power on Tuesday night and with that any faint hope of making the finals was extinguished and a promising season fell by the wayside again. How the rest of the season pans out is as much psychological as it is physical. They might come out of this game with a solid win, but no one would be surprised if it went the other way. Disappointing. Logan will be favourites which is way over the odds. The Bulldogs should not be under-estimated. Prediction: Capalaba 3-1 Rochedale Rovers vs Eastern Suburbs Saturday 6:30pm at Underwood Park Rochedale Rovers are equal top of the table with a sparkling excision of their recent troubles last weekend away at Lions FC. As well as they played, it was still a result which could have gone either way suggesting luck is starting to go with them just a little. This fortnight always looked like it may define their season with a three point lead at the table of the table guaranteed if they can go back to back. Eastern Suburbs couldn’t keep up their amazing run forever so what looks on the face of it to be a disappointing draw last weekend against Albany Creek is really not too bad an outcome. All the talk surrounds the loss of Abe Yango and how much of a part his absence played in the result. The jury is out on that one at least until the Tigers have played a couple more games without him. First against second means this is the real deal. A lot depends on which team turns up on the day and it’s all about converting opportunities. Prediction: 2-2 draw. Ipswich Knights vs Holland Park Hawks Sunday 3:15pm at Eric Evans Oval Ipswich Knights have been fooling everyone by playing some terrible football before harking back to their win over Lions FC with the biggest upset of the season last weekend. Only hardened supporters would have tipped the Knights to bounce back so spectacularly. Where that leaves them now is another matter with everything pointing towards a return to something more dire. Holland Park Hawks find themselves in a dilemma in sixth place having been top or in the top four for most of the season but last weekend’s 2-0 home loss against Souths United has tipped the balance against them. A couple more losses and their precarious location could be terminal but it’s unlikely to happen this weekend. Last week’s inability to find the net won’t be a problem on Sunday. Ipswich Knights will go down as the giant killers in season reviews but consistency is not in their vocabulary. Hawks to win easily. Prediction: Hawks 4-0 Lions FC vs Souths United Sunday 5pm at Lions Stadium Lions FC have reached crunch time despite playing some of their best football in last weekend’s loss to Rochedale Rovers. Of all the teams outside the top four, Lions are the only credible chance of still winning the title and it all starts (again) on Sunday. They arguably have the easiest run home from here but another slip-up could be curtains. This game will be much tougher than they had planned. Souths United continue to come from the clouds and find themselves as surprise title contenders in third place with a game in hand and better goal difference/goals scored than the two teams above them. If they can do the double over Lions, things will start getting real, particularly since they seem to have the mythical ability to play poorly and still get points. Lots to be learned from this result. Two heavyweights from the modern era go head to head with huge rewards for the victor. Unmissable. Prediction: Lions 2-1
