Port Melbourne Sharks SC (7th) vs Green Gully SC (8th)
The form:
The Sharks have been in good knick recently, toppling a few of the lower end clubs in the NPL Victoria before taking South Melbourne all the way in their clash last week, twice clawing back a deficit before eventually falling 4-2. Green Gully have come away from a tough month of football with wins against the Knights, Bentleigh and Hume City, last week consolidating those results with a draw against Pascoe Vale.
The players to watch:
Nick Krousoratis has been exceptional in recent weeks for the Sharks, he’ll fancy his chances of a goal against Gully. Mathew Breeze was impressive in the absence of Liam Boland, but with their main-man likely to make his way back into the line-up from injury, he may have to settle for a spot back on the wing.
The prediction:
In regards to finals, it’s curtains for both of these sides with the pair fighting off for that spot just outside the top six. A narrow 2-1 win to Port Melbourne will perhaps secure that spot, in a flip-of-the-coin contest.
Pascoe Vale SC (5th) vs Melbourne Knights FC (4th)
The form:
As mentioned, Paco grabbed a draw from their clash against Green Gully, grabbing an equaliser in the second half of their match up. They’re now winless in three attempts, but draws in their last two against South Melbourne and the aforementioned Cavaliers won’t give them sleepless nights. Knights. The Knights made light work of Hume City in their match up on Sunday, controlling the contest in a 2-0 win.
The players to watch:
Matthew Lazarides had a couple of sights on goal last weekend, he’ll be hoping to do one better this time round as well as create some opportunities from the wing.
Rodrigo Luis Covarrubius Tapia went down injured against Hume City, Josh Brekalo missed the match in similar vein. Marijan Cvitkovic came on as a sub and may find himself starting this week.
The prediction:
Melbourne Knights can jump up to second place with at the weekends conclusion if all results go to plan. Mathematically still in the title race and they’ll give their all until someone else clinches it. 1-0 to the Knights.
Oakleigh Cannons FC (11th) vs Werribee City FC (13th)
The form:
The Oakleigh Cannons have played the role of mediator for the bottom three sides, pumping North Geelong Warriors 4-1 a fortnight ago before last week succumbing to Dandenong Thunder 1-0. Werribee – sensing the pressure of the Thunder – secured an important win of their own, triumphing 2-1 over Northcote City on the weekend. This puts the three sides equal on 15 points, all desperate to grab that invaluable 12th half-relegation spot.
The players to watch:
It may not be going well in the league for the Cannons, but a mid-week win against the Far North Queensland Heat has effectively kept their season alive for just a little longer. That effort by Dean Piemonte capped it off.
As for Werribee, midfielder Kobbie Boahene proved he’s a thinking footballer both on and off the pitch with a string of tweets that made us think just that little bit harder than usual about life, and we thank him for it.
The prediction:
Two impossible to predict sides go at it. Logic dictates that the Cannons should take this one comfortably. So with that, a 3-0 win to Werribee City just to throw the cat amongst the pigeons.
Avondale FC vs South Melbourne FC
The form:
South were stumbling on their way to the NPL finals, losing to the Knights, drawing against Pascoe Vale and losing in the FFA Cup. Then a monumental 3-0 Dockerty Cup victory over Oakleigh seemed to have breathed life into the Lakeside outfit, also accounting for Port 4-2, playing some blistering football in the process. Avondale have also been on a decent run, backing up their Round 21 loss to North Geelong by beating Thunder 3-0, smashing Werribee City 6-0, and drawing against Bentleigh.
The players to watch:
A new combination has emerged for South, with Brad Norton marauding forward from left-back, delivering absolute peaches of crosses for Milos Lujic to send into the back of the net. A key to negating that threat will be Michele Crazia, who has been Avondale’s rock at the back this season.
The prediction:
Not easy considering Avondale’s tricky home ground, but South with their eyes on the prize should be able to see off the potential banana-peel fixture, winning 2-0.
North Geelong Warriors FC vs Dandenong Thunder SC
The form:
Both relegation threatened sides have earned important results in recent times. Thunder snapped a 14-game winless streak to beat Oakleigh 1-0, while North Geelong’s draw – so close to being a victory – against Heidelberg means they’ve taken seven points from their last five games, beating Avondale and Northcote in the process.
The players to watch:
Michael Anderson has been deadly on North Geelong’s wing, involved in a number of goals. It’ll actually be an interesting match-up against left-back Faisal Sakhizada, with the Afghan international also in top form.
The prediction:
A cagey, tense occasion with neither side willing to give anything away, but North Geelong to sneak a goal at home, winning 1-0.
Northcote City FC vs Bentleigh Greens SC
The form:
After pretty much guaranteeing safety a long time ago, almost competing for a finals spot, Northcote have dropped off the radar recently. Their loss to Werribee accompanies a draw against Thunder and loss to North Geelong, teams they would have been once expecting to beat. Bentleigh, have also dropped points against the likes of Avondale, Port and Hume, continuing the trend of the top 3 stumbling in the race for the title.
The players to watch:
For Bentleigh, Dion Kirk has had a good run of late at right back, providing an assist last week, so keep an eye out for the youngster. Jonathan Bounos was also good for Northcote in their defeat last week, and he could be key if City want to snatch a result from the Greens.
The prediction:
Bentleigh to get their title aspirations back on track, putting the challenge back on South and Heidelberg with a 3-0 win over a recently disappointing Northcote.
Heidelberg United FC vs Hume City FC
The form:
Both sides seem to be struggling to juggle league and cup commitments, with Hume losing to the Knights and Gully consecutively by two goal margins, while Heidelberg have also lost to the Knights, and took just the one point against North Geelong last week.
The players to watch:
We normally say Dan Heffernan is a player to watch, but with especially good reason, following his goalscoring exploits in the FFA Cup, trial for Central Coast, and against North Geelong last week. Marcus Schroen has had plenty of attention surrounding him since his FFA Cup exploits as well, and will be one of the key players if Hume want to snap out of their recent league slump.
The prediction:
An inspired Heidelberg to give the title race one last shake with a thrilling 3-2 home victory.