Monaro Panthers v Gungahlin United – Riverside Stadium – 3pm Saturday

Buoyed by a strong performance against the Academy last weekend, Monaro will look to upset Gungahlin United at Riverside Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Panthers capitalised on a slow Academy start last weekend but were unable to close the match, letting slip a half-time lead to go down 3-2. Alicia Meuronen scored both goals for Monaro in that match and the combination of her and Zoe Szeremet has been a dangerous one for opponents so far. If Monaro can fire up front, their only major barrier will be nullifying United’s significant forward presence.

 

For Gungahlin, they sit currently on a four-match winning streak and will be confident of extending that this time out. Their win over Tuggeranong last weekend wasn’t their most convincing as Tuggies threatened to get back into the match, but they finished it off and sit equal second on the ladder on points. A win here gives them the chance to jump the Academy into second place after the weekend depending on the result in the other match, and after winning the previous version of this fixture 9-0, will be confident heading into this one.

 

Tuggeranong United v Canberra Olympic – Greenway Enclosed – 2pm Sunday

Canberra Olympic will continue the search for the first win of the season when they take on struggling Tuggeranong United on Sunday. Tuggeranong have drifted to sit seven points outside fourth spot at this stage of the season, and face an uphill battle from here on in to get back in touch with the top four. A run of four consecutive defeats since a Round Eight win over Canberra FC has set them back into that hole, and this weekend shapes up as a must-win game against bottom of the table Olympic.

 

For Olympic, their performances have been improving recently, with a narrow loss to Gungahlin a couple of weeks ago followed up by 2-0 defeat at the hands of Belconnen United last week, a far cry from the 13-0 thumping at McKellar Park in round five. The last match between these two opponents was a narrow win for Tuggeranong, and Olympic’s continuing improvement suggests that this match could be a big opportunity for them. If Rob Scott’s side start strongly and catch Tuggeranong out, then they can go on and win this.

 

Canberra FC v Canberra United Academy – Deakin 1.01 - 3pm Sunday

Keeping touch with the top three will be the main aim for Canberra FC this weekend as they host the Canberra United Academy at Deakin Fields. FC’s draw with Woden-Weston last weekend was followed up by an 8-0 drubbing at the hands of Belconnen in the Federation Cup on Thursday night, and they will need to bounce back quickly in this encounter. How the side pulls up from that game will count for a lot against the quick youngsters of the Academy, but experience is still a big factor, as it was when they defeated the Academy 1-0 in their previous encounter this season.

For the Academy, a come-from behind win over Monaro last weekend kept them nine points behind Belconnen, and continued getting them back on track after the 4-1 loss to Gungahlin a number of weeks ago. The Academy must avoid the slow start that plagued them in the win over Monaro, as a side like Canberra FC will not be so kind to let them back into the contest.

 

Woden-Weston FC v Belconnen United – Woden Park – 3pm Sunday

Woden-Weston and Belconnen United will clash in an important match on Sunday as Woden-Weston look to keep in touch with the top four. Diego Elmoudawar’s side were pegged back late last week by Canberra FC when three points was headed their way, and will have their work cut out this week against the reigning premiers. While the Wanderers do not have one major threat up front, their even spread of goals means that the United defence will need to be wary at all times.

For United, they come in off the back of an 8-0 thrashing of Canberra FC in the Federation Cup on Thursday night, and will be aiming to keep up their nine-point lead at the top of the table with a win here. The last outing between these sides ended up as a 6-0 win at this same venue for the visitors, and Antoni Jagarinec will be hoping for a similar performance this time out. Woden-Weston were arguably stricken by injuries on that occasion, but United should still have too much pace and experience for the young hosts.