Flight Centre Premier League Weekly Preview - RD19
Rochedale can move one step closer to claiming the premiership this weekend although Peninsula Power will have something to say about that.
It's a huge weekend that could have a major bearing on the last few games. On with the show...
Peninsula Power vs Rochedale Rovers Saturday 5pm at AJ Kelly Field Peninsula Power head into the last four games as a genuine Premiership threat and if they win this game against the ladder leaders, the cat will be right amongst the pigeons. The draw last weekend didn't help but they still have their head above water but it will go under if they lose this on Saturday though. It will be an amazing feat if they do but they'll most likely need to win all their remaining games. Rochedale Rovers have the title to lose but last week's confident win over Logan Lightning was the latest in a long string of impressive performances. They've been sharing the goals around as well which is always a sign of a team in form. But this is the big one. The pressure will be much greater than any game since they were knocked out of the Westfield FFA Cup. On form though, they'll be short-priced favourites and a win is to be expected. The impact of this result will resonate through the remainder of the weekend. It'll be an upset but Power are capable of beating anyone at home. Prediction: Peninsula 2-1 Logan Lightning vs Souths United Saturday 6pm at Cornubia Park Logan Lightning were outclassed in the M1 derby last weekend, the latest in a long string of losses, and there's an argument to suggest they are currently the worst team in the league. If anything it looks as if they won't win again, starting on Saturday against another of their close geographical rivals. All that's left is do their best to have some kind of impact on the rest of the season. How they do that is another matter all together. Souths United always looked as if they could be in with a chance of playing in the finals but for a long time they lacked consistency and fell apart at the wrong times. But that seems to have been resolved, leaving them as favourites to take out fourth place with a relatively easy run home. This is a must win, there can't be any lapses, so that makes it a little harder to win away from home. You just never know if Logan will snap out of it but a full-strength Souths should have too much even away from home: Prediction: Souths 2-1 Capalaba vs Albany Creek Saturday 6pm at John Fredericks Park Capalaba just cannot take a trick at the moment. If luck wasn't against them already, it ran out on the weekend when they took an early lead against a vulnerable Mitchelton only for the game to be rained out after 17 minutes. And it wasn't even a rainy weekend! You just get the feeling that if everything actually falls into place, they have so much stockpiled karma that they will collect themselves a victory to remember. Albany Creek haven't had a lot of luck themselves but they have had some nice outcomes including the draw last weekend against in form Power. If any team outside of the top four can wreak havoc it's definitely Albany Creek. They will be formidable opposition for the Bulldogs despite their reasonably low placing in the league and could run out with a big win if they score early and take the majority of their opportunities. As much as it's impossible to tip Capalaba right now, Creek are a chance to get past anyone they come up against. Prediction: Albany Creek 4-1 Mitchelton vs Lions FC Saturday 6pm at Teralba Park Mitchelton most likely said goodbye to the title some time ago but with a winnable game in hand, are still right in the race for the top four. If they can get three points at home against Lions they will take destiny back into their own hands as well as release a lot of unnecessary pressure. Time is running out in their chase for some kind of silverware. They won this fixture out at Richlands from a similar position which gives plenty of motivation. Lions FC will get plenty of motivation if Peninsula are leading Rochedale when this game kicks off because they are the number one challengers for the crown. After this round is complete, the run towards top spot could be over depending on results. Would anyone be surprised if Lions were to come home with a wet sail and take out the whole thing again? They are playing better now than they were when thy lost to the Mustangs at home. Two teams on opposite trajectories with similar goals in mind. Lions have been playing better recently but Teralba Park is a tough venue. Prediction: Lions 2-1 Eastern Suburbs vs Holland Park Hawks Sunday 4:30pm at Heath Park
This game also features the Don Mackie Shield to commemorate Don Mackie who is life member of both clubs and who's health is not great. Eastern Suburbs became the latest victim of Ipswich Knights as their spectacular fall from being the best team in the league to struggling to make the finals continued. And they are only a single point behind fourth place, such is the season we have seen in the 2017 Flight Centre Premier League. This derby means a lot to the Tigers, with the recent invaders of their territory coming to town. An unusual Sunday kick off could be an advantage. Holland Park Hawks will probably look back with regret on this season after promising so much but it seems as if the loss of Dan Smith to Power was just too much to handle. Ironically, their draws against Mitchelton and Ipswich Knights were fairly good results on the face of it. It's still possible to make the top four but too many results need to go their way. They have a chance in this game of course. The Tigers need a win more than Holland Park and playing at home is to their advantage. Tight, and a draw won't really help either side. Prediction: 2-2 draw Grange Thistle vs Ipswich Knights Sunday 5pm at Lanham Park Grange Thistle are playing good football which is highly commendable for a team which had little hope for the season only halfway through. Last weekend they secured a draw against Souths which so easily could have been a win. It's been an ongoing thing which must b frustrating. They have plenty of gas in the tank and will continue to cause problems. Not long to go and a deserved win will happen. Ipswich Knights are, incredibly, the best team running around at the moment barring Rochdale Rovers. If their results against Mitchelton, Lions and HPH were considered to be a bit lucky, last weekend's big win over the Tigers mad an even bolder statement. It's impossible to tip against them at the moment and they will now be expected to win this game easily, Amazing, truly amazing. When the final game has been played, what has happened with the Knights this year will seem like fiction. Prediction: Ipswich 2-0
