Flight Centre Premier League Weekly Preview - RD20
After last weekend's results, who knows how this season is going to end as it keeps throwing up twists and turns.
Another huge round of fixtures awaits us so let's take a look at what lies ahead in RD20. On with the show...
Mitchelton vs Albany Creek Saturday 6pm @ Teralba Park Mitchelton were aggrieved not to get away with three points from Lions and while it has almost certainly denied them a shot at the title, it's sure to provide some momentum as they pull out of their mini-slump. When Antonio Murray and Josh McVey are starting from the bench, you know they've got a helluva team. A tough run home starts here. Albany Creek have clung on for ages and have a simple equation in front of them. If they win the remainder of their games and the Mustangs don't, they will make the top four for the first time in the history of the club. Has anybody ever gone that far under the radar. A lot of people who were predicting a big season fell off the bandwagon ages ago but last season they were incredible in the run home. Something tells me this could be spectacular. Last time it was a 2-2 draw which won't be good enough for either team. Prediction: 2-2 draw Holland Park Hawks vs Grange Thistle Saturday 6:15pm at Whites Hill Holland Park Hawks collected their sixth red card of the season in only the 29th minute yet still managed to beat an Eastern Suburbs team which was favourite to win the league six weeks ago. That is ridiculous but it says a lot about how good they have actually been at times. They'll be clinging to the hope of making the finals, and it's mathematically possible, but inconsistency is their achilles heel. Grange Thistle did it again, taking points from the form team in Brisbane with a 2-2 draw against Ipswich Knights. Both teams can't make the finals and sit in tenth and elventh place on the table. Whatever complaints Mick Hornby might have about luck deserting him, deserves to be heard. Sure to be underdogs, in reality this game is 50/50, even if they are travelling to Whites Hill. Luck can't desert Grange forever. A lead by a couple of goals and they know how to defend well enough to end Hawks' season. Prediction: Thistle 3-2 Rochedale Rovers vs Capalaba Saturday 6:30pm at Underwood Park Rochedale Rovers come into this game with their lead whittled down to only two points after a serious thumping up North at AJ Kelly Field. Will nerves get too much for them? Of their remaining matches, this is far and away the easiest so a win is essential. It's at home and they have shown too much good form for this one to get away from them. Goal difference has little relevance. Getting over the line is everything. Capalaba haven't secured any points for so long they must be longing for the season to end. And it doesn't get any easier this week when they travel to Underwood Park to play first placed Rochdale Rovers. everyone expects them to lose so at least a lack of pressure is on their side. Time can be a real drag when it's running against you. Let's hope they can get another win before 2017 winds up. After last Saturday's shock loss, Rovers need to win all their games to definitely take the title. No hiccups will happen in this game. Prediction: Rovers 4-1 Lions FC vs Eastern Suburbs Saturday 7pm at Lions Stadium Lions FC turned over two points to Mitchelton and that could cost them their third title in a row. They are undoubtedly still one of the best teams in the league but more like a classic car which needs a service. This game looked as if it may be the biggest of the season but Lions are going to be at a very short price to win. It's all or nothing now. They must win to keep their double hopes alive. Eastern Suburbs have completely fallen away and may have reached the nadir by losing last Sunday to a Holland Park Hawks outfit which was reduced to only ten players for more than an hour. Finals are a possibility but in reality no-one outside of the club thinks they will get there. After producing some of the best wins, including the result at Peninsula, their season will be over after this weekend. Easts beat Mitchelton in the cup during the week but they won't have enough to beat a Lions side with everything to play for. Prediction: Lions 2-0 Souths United vs Peninsula Power Saturday 7pm at Wakerley Park Souths United are a tippers worst nightmare. A win over Logan FC seemed a certainty but they fell apart again. If they do make the finals who knows what could happen? On the other hand they have a good record at home against the better sides in the Flight Centre Premier League so expect an improvement. Such an important game for both sides and equally as important for Rochedale and Lions. Peninsula Power have absolutely everything to play for. Literally. Apart from qualifying for the Westfield FFA Cup, the holy grail these days, they have an opportunity to win the title, the Grand Final and the Pig and Whistle Canale Cup. It's out of their hands at the moment but who would put it past them? Red hot form has produced some red hot results. Team of the moment. Souths are capable of anything and Peninsula will have one eye on the Westfield FFA Cup. Tougher than expected to pick. Prediction: 2-2 draw Ipswich Knights vs Logan FC Sunday 3:15pm at Eric Evans Oval Ipswich Knights are scything their way to the end of the season and probably the biggest surprise last weekend came when they could only come away with a draw from Grange Thistle. Danny Wilson must surely be in line for the Coach Of The Month award. For the first time they will be certain favourites to take the points. How that will affect them remains to be seen. Logan FC were playing some uninspiring football, until last Saturday when they snapped out of it and collected a win over Souths United which could have serious ramifications for the top four. It's a welcome return to form and it makes this game an intriguing battle even though both teams have little to play for. Can thy still have a bearing on the make up of the finals? Prediction: It's the first dead rubber this season with simply pride at stake. 2-2
