Flight Centre Premier League Weekly Preview - RD18
It may have gone under the radar but Lions FC, who have started to threaten at the right end of the Flight Centre Premier League, were beaten in the Pig 'N' Whistle Cup by Taringa Rovers from Capital League 1. The strange season continues. Rochedale are in the box seat so they’ll be hoping they don’t get struck by the regular strangeness going around. On with the show...
Holland Park Hawks vs Lions FC Saturday 3:15pm at Whites Hill Reserve Holland Park Hawks looked so good for so long but this fortnight was always going to be a problem for them with back to back games against the reigning Premiers. The first half of the equation has gone against them and it seems too much to ask from here. But they still have a chance of making the top four if they can get something from this game. They are better at Whites Hill as they head into this one with Joe Fenech taking over the coaching helm following the return to the UK of Anth Smith. Lions FC are creeping closer but it seems unlikely they can catch Rochedale from here. The upset losses are now coming back to haunt them but they can keep applying pressure and see just what happens in this season of irregularities. Last week it took them more than an hour to score but three goals in the last half an hour, two from Nathan Shepherd will do heaps for their confidence. Is the Whites Hill advantage enough to turn last week’s result around? Massive game for both teams for different reasons. Prediction: Lions 2-1
Albany Creek vs Peninsula Power Saturday 4:45pm at Wolter Park Albany Creek came close to getting something from Power last week at AJ Kelly Field but a 1-0 loss still means no points which could just about put paid to their season with four teams ahead of them by a single game. It’s out of their control and all they can do is focus on themselves. Playing at home is enough of an advantage to suggest they are capable of reversing that result. Peninsula Power are so close now they can just about taste it. Second by three points with all the pressure on Rochedale to keep them at bay. A lack of consistency has become history with a good string of wins pushing them into title contention for the first time this season. They know how to beat ACE after last week and the fact it was such a close game ensures they won’t be complacent. Will Power provide the final twist in the tail and take out the title despite being written off many times? Maybe, but this is no walk in the park. Prediction: 2-2 draw Capalaba vs Mitchelton Saturday 6pm at John Fredericks Park Capalaba are probably, almost certainly, going to finish with the wooden spoon but for a moment last week it seemed they were right in the contest against Mitchelton before eventually copping a bit of a hiding. It must be daunting knowing they are up against the same team but of course there is an advantage to be had in prior knowledge. Football is a funny old game sometimes... don’t write them off. Mitchelton have fallen from grace after being title favourites for so long and it must be so frustrating winning so convincingly last weekend but relying on others to get them back into the race. The real danger is that they will also miss the post-season entirely with two teams on equivalent points but with a superior goal difference. This game has come at a good time for them. Surely Capalaba won’t lose by five goals again but it’s only possible to tip the Mustangs based on that result. Prediction: Mitchelton 3-1 Rochedale Rovers vs Logan FC Saturday 6:30pm at Underwood Park Rochedale Rovers have the title well and truly in their own hands with a three point lead and a sizable goal difference over second placed Peninsula. Could this season, which threatened to come down to multiple teams with a chance on the last day, turn into a runaway? Logic says no, and they have to negotiate this derby game to keep that lead. Memories of bad Rovers are not too far in the past. Logan FC have been gone for ages even though mathematics gives them a chance at the finals. But they don’t have one in the real world. It’s been ages since the Lightning have put in a decent performance, probably since they lost in the Cup on penalties to Peninsula. Last time out they were never in the game against ACE despite not conceding after halftime. Motivation is sure to be an issue. Even in a commanding position there are still doubts about the Rovers credentials. They should win this one though. Prediction: Rochedale 3-1 Ipswich Knights vs Eastern Suburbs Sunday 3:15pm at Eric Evans Oval Ipswich Knights were the worst team in the league. Now, they are the form team in the league. How that happened is anybody’s guess but Danny Wilson seems to be working wonders right now. They can’t make the finals but they are doing a sparkling job of being a wrecking ball. If they do it again this week there could be another former Flight Centre Premier League leader by the wayside. Eastern Suburbs played arguably the best football of any team this season when they had Abe Yango up front with Youeil Shol but aren’t even in the top four anymore. A sure three points from Eric Evans Oval is now more of a mountain to climb than a bit of flat-track bullying. The Tigers can make a big impact and maybe even win the league but not if they lose this game. Ipswich can’t keep this form going forever, can they? Easts have too good a squad to disappear already. Prediction: Easts 2-0 Souths United vs Grange Thistle Sunday 6pm at Wakerley Park Souths United fell apart in the second half last weekend but somehow came away with a win which could be the difference between playing in a Grand Final and taking early holiday. Jacob Alexander was out and is unavailable again this weekend and he makes a big difference when available. With their run home, they are now favourites to finish in fourth place, but not if they lose this game. Grange Thistle have been playing some good football without luck leaving them frustrated but not without a chance of winning any game. Overall, they were better than Souths last weekend but were unable to find the vital equaliser despite hitting the post twice and creating countless chances. Luck is unpredictable but it falls both ways and Thistle are due for their share. A mental battle of epic proportions despite their relative placings. No result would surprise but Souths have the knack of coming back. Prediction: Souths 3-2
