Capital Leagues Weekly Preview
We are at the top of the home straight with all to play for. Some interesting results over the weekend have made things tighter in Capital League 1 and Capital League 3.
This weekend, Capital League 1 has three matches that are of great importance to those involved. Capital League 2 also has three big clashes. Looks like an exciting weekend ahead! CAPITAL LEAGUE 1
Match of the Round – Acacia Ridge v Brisbane Knights (Being played at Meakin Park) Ridge have lost their mojo. They have gone down two weeks in a row to Wolves which has endangered their top four position that, a few weeks ago, looked a formality. In early June, they were hammered by Brisbane Knights (5-1) as well. Injuries appear to have affected them in recent weeks. Knights will also be looking over their shoulder at a fast finishing Wolves. They also know a win keeps them on North Pine’s heels in 2nd spot. So this is a big match for both teams. It is a local derby that neither can really afford to lose. Recent form says Knights should win and I’m agreeing with that. Ridge are also forced to play the remainder of their home games at Meakin Park due the field condition at Ron Proud Field. Taringa Rovers v Wolves FC Taringa Rovers have their eyes on the prize needing, at the moment, only eight more points to secure the Premiership. A win this week and next week (v North Pine) would wrap it up if they can do that. Wolves have their eyes on the top four and are on a roll with two wins in a row over Acacia Ridge. Taringa handed out a 5-1 lesson to Wolves a few weeks back and will be looking for a repeat. But Wolves will make Rovers work for everything at Jack Speare Park. I have a feeling that this may end up all square. North Pine v Bayside Utd North Pine must win to have any chance of catching Taringa, especially as they travel there next weekend. Bayside must win to still be in with a chance of the finals. The Gorillas have won their last three matches while Bayside’s recent form is shaky. The previous meeting was a 2-2 draw. Have to go with North Pine to win this one. North Star v UQ FC Two teams with an outside chance of the top four but the loser here will be out of the running one would think. North Star won last start after a poor run, including a loss to UQ. The Students lost their last two (to the top two). UQ should get up. Mt Gravatt v The Gap Another two with an outside chance for the finals and the same applies to the loser of this one. The Hawks had a goalless draw last start at Southside Eagles while The Gap went down to North Star. The Gators won the recent catch up match but the Hawks are my tip. Moggill v Southside Eagles Moggill will want to avoid a complete disaster in losing every match. This is one they may think they can get something from. Eagles still believe they can figure in finals’ calculations and, to do so, have to avoid a slip up here. I’ll go out on a limb and tip a draw.
CAPITAL LEAGUE 2
Match of the Round – Annerley v Ipswich City A critical match for both teams for different reasons. Annerley are in a fight for fourth and will need to turn around the recent result against the Bulls (a 4-2 loss). Ipswich City have a glimmer of an opportunity to win the league if results go their way. Defensively, both have a similar goals against tally, but Ipswich City are the leading scorers with 70 in 16 matches. The Bulls have won six in a row, so are in form. Annerley have lost their last two. That tells me that Ipswich City will win. Centenary Stormers v Western Spirit A critical match for both teams for different reasons. Centenary have slipped to second (albeit with a game in hand – against Spirit) and cannot afford to drop any more points. Spirit are in a fight for fourth and have two games to catch up. These are that first round match against Stormers and the Ipswich Derby, so no gimmes there. Stormers will be smarting from their last start loss to Brisbane Phoenix and I expect them to rebound and beat Western Spirit. New Farm Utd v Brisbane Phoenix Both are in the race for fourth and a finals’ spot. A loss would not be the end of it but would make life a lot harder. New Farm won the reverse fixture 2-1 and will be looking to do the “double”. Phoenix got hammered by Virginia last week after a good win over Centenary, so it’s hard to know which Phoenix team will show up. I’ll back the Farmers. Virginia Utd v Park Ridge Virginia have risen to the top of the ladder and will be looking to stay there. They should do so after Park Ridge have visited. I can’t see the Panthers getting anything from this trip. If Virginia keep winning, it is up to Centenary to do the same. Toowong v Pine Hills Toowong have snuck into the race for fourth. Only proviso is that they have played more games than the other contenders so need results to go their way. Pine Hills are just a win out of the bottom two, so need to get results. Toowong are in form and will want it more. Pine Rivers Utd v Oxley Utd Pine Rivers have lost four in a row. Oxley have lost five in a row. Another one that is difficult to predict. It may be that the Predators, at home, will give their supporters something to cheer about.
CAPITAL LEAGUE 3 Match of the Round – Bardon Latrobe v St George Willawong Bardon’s match on the weekend was postponed due to ground conditions. St George may have wished theirs was too as they were shocked by a committed Clairvaux side who got up 3-0. Bardon would have been keen to get back on track after a loss the previous week following a winning run. The Saints will have to regroup and may find the bumpy surface not to their liking at Bowman Park as they rely on a passing game. I’m sure Saints’ Coach Bojan Vilic will have his troops fired up to perform better than they did last week. St George will rebound. Slacks Creek v Caboolture Slacks Creek fell to a revitalised Narangba Utd after the long trip north. Caboolture had the weekend off and probably used it to recover from their great win over Flight Centre Premier League team Ipswich Knights in the Pig ‘n’ Whistle Canale Cup in midweek. After a run of seven straight home games, the Snakes will have to fire up their GPS systems and hit the road down to Usher Park. They should enjoy the trip and come home with all the points. Tarragindi Tigers v AC Carina The Tigers were due to play Bardon on the weekend but that was postponed. Carina travelled to Westside looking to overtake Caboolture in 2nd but came away empty handed. They took an 11th minute lead but went down 2-1 in the end. Carina beat Tarragindi in the recent catch up and should recover and get back to winning ways. Narangba Utd v Westside Two last start winners meet up at Narangba. Both would have been happy with the wins for different reasons, Narangba for finding form and Westside to keep a hold of fourth. Can Narangba make it three in a row? I’ll be brave and say yes. Clairvaux v Redcliffe PCYC Big upset when Clairvaux rolled St George on Sat evening. As I said last week, they would be playing for pride as they are out of semis contention. PCYC are still in with a shout but need to win. Don’t think Clairvaux can do it again – a draw. Newmarket v Jimboomba Utd Newmarket have not lost in four as they climb the table. Jimboomba’s last start saw them get a 4-4 draw to break a ten game losing sequence. Newmarket have the finals in their sights and won’t want to drop points here.
CAPITAL LEAGUE 4
Logan Metro v Samford Rangers It will be a brisk evening at Compton Park this Saturday. But that shouldn’t worry Samford as it gets a bit chilly up north as well. Metro sit 4th but have played two more matches than their challengers so need to get a result against Rangers. Samford have hit their straps in recent weeks, knocking in 26 goals in three matches. Logan Metro’s goal scoring record is not fantastic (just over two a match) while conceding almost as many. Rangers’ superior firepower should be enough to overcome Metro. Springfield Utd v Kangaroo Point Rovers Both are in with a shot at fourth position. A loss here doesn’t necessarily put them out of that picture but a win would obviously boost their chances. Springfield, a little surprisingly, won the first round encounter at Raymond Park but their form since has been inconsistent. KPR to take it out. North Brisbane v Logan Village The Aces sit 2nd and need to keep winning to maintain the pressure on Samford at the top. The Falcons have given better performances in recent weeks (including their first win). I can’t see them winning this one – North Brisbane to take the three points. Mooroondu v The Lakes A match between two teams at the wrong end of the table. It’s a chance for either to get back into the winners’ circle. A tough one to predict. If in doubt, go for the home team. Bethania Rams - BYE
