Canberra Olympic v Canberra FC – Sunday – O’Connor – 2pm

Canberra Olympic will continue the search for their first win of the season on Sunday as they face off against rivals Canberra FC at O’Connor on Sunday. Olympic have struggled so far this season but had one of their better performances the last time these sides faced off, going down 1-0 after having chances of their own to take the game. While Canberra FC have arguably strengthened since then, Olympic should take heed from that display and be confident heading into this match. Coach Rob Scott will be aiming for similar this time out, and will hope his side can rebound from their 9-0 loss to the Academy last weekend.

For the visitors, a 4-0 win over Monaro last weekend was a return to form following a surprising loss to Tuggeranong the week before, and Mark Risteski’s side now find themselves perched third on the table. With the Academy above them and Gungahlin below them taking each other on this weekend, a good result for Canberra FC could see them jump into second place. However, if things turn out sour, then they risk dropping as low as fifth, dependent on other results. Last week was a powerful display however, and the visiting team should have too much firepower going into this one.

 

Tuggeranong United v Woden-Weston FC – Sunday – Kambah – 3pm

A heavy loss to Belconnen United last weekend gave a hit to Tuggeranong United’s top four chase, and Michael Aldred’s side will be aiming to rebound when they host Woden-Weston on Sunday. The 5-0 loss at McKellar Park will have stung them, having pulled off a fantastic victory the week before over Canberra FC. Tuggies looked blunted in attack and vulnerable in defense in the loss, but will back themselves more against a visiting side who have also struggled at the back at times this year.

Diego Elmoudawar’s side also come in from mixed form, with a nail-biting victory over the Academy two weeks ago dented by a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Gungahlin United last weekend. That continued something of a goal scoring struggle, with the Wanderers hosting a bottom-three attack in terms of numbers. That can be remedied here though with Tuggeranong boasting the third-worst defence in the league, and a propensity to have the floodgates open if a side gets on a roll. Woden-Weston will need to get used to the tricky Kambah surface though, and home-ground advantage may well prove a legitimate factor here.

 

Monaro Panthers v Belconnen United – Sunday – Riverside – 3pm

Belconnen United will look to continue their dominance at the top of the league when they meet Monaro Panthers in Queanbeyan on Sunday afternoon. The Blue Devils are in relentless form, coming in off the back of a 5-0 win over Tuggeranong, and having not lost since Round two. With a ridiculous goal difference of +44, having conceded only twice, United are steaming towards the end of the season already, and with this matchup finishing 8-0 to them last time, Antoni Jagarinec’s side will be confident of a result heading into this one.

 

For Monaro, a 4-0 loss to Canberra FC in controversial circumstances last weekend was arguably not a true reflection of the game, with Panthers creating plenty of their own chances. Angelo Maralit’s side have steadily improved through the season but are still prone to mistakes as a young side, and will need to be at their best here against Belconnen’s formidable forward line. Panthers possess their own firepower as well though, and as shown in their recent four-goal second half against Tuggeranong, can turn it on when needed. This is a week where it will be needed, and how Monaro start this match off will have a major bearing on the outcome.

  

Canberra United Academy v Gungahlin United – Sunday – Hawker – 4pm

After blitzing the start of the season, the Canberra United Academy have had on-off struggles, including a narrow loss to Woden-Weston a fortnight ago. They rebounded from that though with a 9-0 thrashing of Canberra Olympic last time out, and will look to build on that against Gungahlin United. Their opponents this weekend now sit only three points behind them, and the Academy are also within the reach of third-placed Canberra FC. Their free-flowing style has created many chances, with Aroon Clansey’s side laying claim to the second-best attack in the league, but it has also left them vulnerable at the back, and the more experienced Gungahlin side will look to find those holes this weekend.

 

Beaten two weeks ago by Belconnen, Diego Iglesias’ side responded with a clinical 3-0 win over Woden-Weston on the road, jumping two spots on the table up to fourth. As mentioned, a win here could put them level with the Academy, and give them a real run at a top two spot for the rest of the season. Ashleigh Palombi got on the score sheet once more last week and with nine goals to her name this season will be a big threat to the leaky home defence. The first clash between these two finished as a 2-1 victory for the Academy, but with more knowledge of their young opponents this time and the edge in experience, the visitors will be confident of a result.