Capital Leagues Weekly Preview
The Capital 1 title looks to be settled with Taringa winning the battle of 1 v 2 and a win this weekend will give them the title. It is advantage Centenary Stormers in Capital 2 after Virginia’s shock loss, with the Stormers having the easier run in. Capital 3 also looks to be run and won with St George having a sizeable lead. Capital 4 got more interesting as there are only three points separating the top four who have pulled away from the rest. CAPITAL LEAGUE 1
Match of the Round – North Pine v Wolves FC It is 2 v 3 in this match, with 2nd position to play for. North Pine went down 4-2 in the top of the table clash against Taringa to all but extinguish their premiership hopes. Wolves got up in a tight one over Brisbane Knights. A few weeks back the top two looked settled but Wolves have gone on a good run of results (five wins) to put themselves in the frame. Wolves are in form but the Gorillas won’t want to give up 2nd. North Pine had won four on the trot prior to the Taringa loss. Should be a big night out at Bob Brock Park. Wolves are on a roll and I think they have momentum with them. I’ll tip them to win. Brisbane Knights v Southside Eagles Brisbane Knights were beaten by Wolves in a close result (1-0). Southside Eagles had a good win over Acacia Ridge which propelled them to 6th. A few weeks back Knights looked a shoe-in for the semis after some great results, but the wheels have fallen off, having lost their last two in the league. Eagles probably still have one last chance to make the finals with a win here (and in all their other games) otherwise they will be seeing the season out. Knights to get the wheels rolling again with a win. North Star v Taringa Rovers North Star’s match at Bayside was postponed. Taringa came up trumps in the top two clash with North Pine to all but seal the Premiership. These two have had many battles over the years and Star will want to put the champagne on hold if they can. Friday night at O’Callaghan Park and, come around 10.15pm, Taringa should be celebrating. Acacia Ridge v The Gap Acacia Ridge lost their 3rd game in the last four, Going down to Southside Eagles. The Gap beat Moggill but slightly unconvincingly (3-1). Ridge were also almost guaranteed a finals’ spot until their two consecutive losses to Wolves. The Gap are still in with a slim chance of the semis but also need to win their remaining matches. Ridge to rebound. Mt Gravatt v Bayside Utd Mt Gravatt lost by a single goal to UQ while Bayside’s match was called off due to ground damage. The Hawks sit 2nd last but only four points from 6th. Bayside are one position and two points ahead of the Hawks. Crunch game for both teams which will end in a draw. Moggill v UQ FC Moggill let me down after I tipped a draw with The Gap. UQ got up by a single goal over Mt Gravatt to keep their finals’ chance (just) alive. Can Moggill get the draw they desperately want? I’ve tipped them twice to do so and it hasn’t happened. I’ll tip UQ.
CAPITAL LEAGUE 2
Match of the Round – Virginia Utd v Brisbane Phoenix Another surprise result with Virginia travelling to Pine Hills and coming away empty handed. Brisbane Phoenix lost in the “Phoenix” derby against Toowong to damage their chance of a top four finish. Virginia’s loss could have been worse but Centenary drew, so they are equal on points and Goal Difference but 2nd due to less goals scored. Virginia must win their remaining fixtures to have a chance but have a harder run in than the Stormers who have a match in hand. Phoenix have to win to have any chance of the finals. I think Virginia will make amends for that loss to the Pythons and get up here. New Farm Utd v Ipswich City New Farm got spanked by Western Spirit. Ipswich City held Centenary to a draw. In each case, not the required result. The Farmers are still in with a chance of the top four but need wins. The Bulls are out of the title race (not mathematically, but realistically) and will be looking to lock up 3rd place and a home final. A Sunday afternoon match at the Park has plenty riding on it. Ipswich City have the firepower (averaging four goals a game) and that should get them home here. Toowong v Western Spirit Toowong won their Derby over Brisbane Phoenix. Spirit finally scored big with a 5-1 win over New Farm. Toowong have hit form at the right time (5 wins in 6) but their poor start to the season has hit their finals’ chances, although they are still in the hunt. Spirit are also in form (4 from 5) leading the chase of Annerley in 4th. Gut feeling says Toowong. Centenary Stormers v Pine Rivers Utd Centenary had their first draw of the season away to Ipswich City. In spite of that, they returned to the top of the table (based on scoring more goals than Virginia). Pine Rivers were well beaten by Annerley and are destined to finish 11th unless there is a dramatic form change. Stormers to win. Annerley v Oxley Utd Annerley easily accounted for Pine Rivers up at Strathpine. Oxley had their second 4-1 win in a row, beating bottom side Park Ridge. Can’t see the Dunlop Park boys repeating that score line (unless it is reversed). Annerley to take the points. Park Ridge v Pine Hills 12th v 10th and not much to play for for either team apart from pride. The Panthers lost to Oxley while the Pythons had a shock 2-1 win over previous leaders Virginia. Pine Hills won 5-1 last time and it would be no surprise if they repeat that result.
CAPITAL LEAGUE 3 Match of the Round – Newmarket v AC Carina Newmarket’s good run came to an end at Caboolture, losing 4-0 with all the goals coming in the second half. AC Carina had a surprisingly comfortable 5-0 win over Slacks Creek (given the Tigers’ recent win over Caboolture). This is Newmarket’s last chance to stay in the finals’ race with a win an absolute must. Carina are still nipping at Caboolture’s heels in the battle for 2nd and so this is an absolute must win for them as well. I think Newmarket have run their race and will have to settle for mid-table positioning. Carina to win and keep the pressure on the Snakes for the double chance in the finals. Slacks Creek v St George Willawong Slacks Creek couldn’t follow up their upset win over Caboolture, being soundly beaten by AC Carina. St George are marching on to the Premiership after beating the other Tigers (Tarragindi). The (Slacks Creek) Tigers have been much like this all season – very up and down. The Saints have bounced back from their loss to Clairvaux, recording two 4-1 wins. St George need five points to secure the title. They will get three of those here. Clairvaux v Westside Clairvaux have not played since their win over St George, the last two weekends’ matches being postponed. Westside easily accounted for bottom side Jimboomba. Clairvaux should be rested and have had time for any injuries to recover. However, I think Westside will want it more to firm up their hold on 4th position. Bardon Latrobe v Narangba Utd Bardon overcame Redcliffe PCYC with tho goals in the first half. Narangba’s match was postponed due to field issues. Both teams have good recent form. Bardon are still in the race for 4th while Narangba will want to keep climbing the ladder with Tarragindi in their sights. In spite of Narangba’s form upturn, Bardon look the winners. Jimboomba Utd v Caboolture Jimboomba went down to Westside. Caboolture recovered from their slump to overcome Newmarket. The Jets will end up with the wooden spoon unless they win their last three matches. Not going to happen, especially against the Snakes. Tarragindi Tigers v Redcliffe PCYC Both last start losers. Tarragindi were beaten by St George while PCYC lost to Bardon Latrobe. The Tigers were a pre-season tip but have under-performed. Redcliffe have been good on their day and not so good other days. I’ll back the draw.
CAPITAL LEAGUE 4
Match of the Round – North Brisbane v Bethania Rams The current top two meet in a match vital to both teams. North Brisbane lost for the second time to KPR (their only two defeats). The Rams did the job out at Springfield to be on equal points with the Aces but 2nd on Goal Difference. This is an important match in the destination of the Premiership. With the top four so tight though, a loss would not be the end of things for either side. But neither side will accept that (a loss). The Aces won at Opperman Park and I can see them repeating that result at Prentice Park. Springfield Utd v Samford Rangers Springfield made Bethania work for their win. Samford return to action after a Bye weekend. Springfield are mid table for a reason, they are beating the teams below them and are losing to those above them. I can’t see any reason for that to change after they entertain Samford as the Rangers have too much to play for. Logan Village v Kangaroo Point Rovers The Falcons lived up to my tip for them to beat The Lakes to move off the bottom of the table. Kangaroo Point did the double over North Brisbane to tighten up the race at the top end of the table. Sorry Villagers, but I don’t see you making it two wins in a row. Logan Metro v The Lakes Logan Metro beat Mooroondu. The Lakes went down to Logan Village. Metro are out of the finals’ race and their goal now would be to finish 5th where they currently sit. The Lakes are now equal last, only goal difference keeping them off the bottom. Metro to win. Mooroondu - BYE
