Tuggeranong United v Gungahlin United | Saturday, 3pm @ Kambah

Tuggeranong United and Gungahlin United will both be looking to get their seasons back on track when they face off at Kambah on Saturday afternoon. Tuggeranong have picked up one point from their last four matches and have dropped eight points off the pace for first after a strong start to the season. Mitch Stevens admitted after Sunday’s last gasp loss to Olympic that his men are now fighting for third and fourth, but he will want to avoid being drawn into the dogfight that currently includes this weekend’s opponents, amongst others. Stevens rued the missed chances in last week’s outing after his side played one of their better games, and his side will want to be more ruthless up front in this outing. Their opponents have also struggled of late and this game has real potential to open up as both teams chase a win.

Gungahlin have only taken two points out of the same four-match span and after looking as though they would steam back into the top four, their momentum has slowed coming into the final month of the season. They were pulled back by Woden-Weston last time out, their second draw in a three game home-stand at GEO with a loss to Canberra FC in the middle. United also appear to be a side that haven’t taken their chances when created this season and Marcial Munoz will be keen for his side to rectify that this week. His side remain two points off fourth place with four matches to play, and a win here is almost vital given the setup of the final few rounds.

 

Tigers FC v Canberra FC | Saturday, 3pm @ Nijong Oval

Tigers FC catapulted themselves right back into top four contention last week with a win over Monaro and can build on that here when they host Canberra FC in Cooma. A double from Nico Villafane and another goal from Mark Shields was enough for the visitors and they are hitting their straps at the right time. They have won three of their last four matches, have five games remaining and sit just one point off top spot. This weekend will not be easy though, taking on ladder leaders Canberra FC who they were beaten 7-2 by earlier in the season. Shields seemingly started the season slowly but has now scored eight goals, and his return to form at this point of the season is massive for Gaby Wilk. If Tigers can keep 11 men on the field in this outing, unlike at Deakin, then they can push the visitors all the way.

For Canberra FC, this match is the beginning of a big week that includes their maiden FFA Cup Round of 32 clash against Broadmeadow Magic. Last week saw a three-goal win in Griffith to help keep them top of the standings, but they face a more challenging outing this time. The big questions is whether Paul Macor will rest anyone to ahead of Wednesday night, knowing that a drop of points here could surrender first spot. The game was moved to Saturday to allow for an extra day’s rest for Macor’s men which means a weaker team is unlikely, but the match is likely to be in the back of his mind. His team have being excellent at focusing week to week so far this season though, so expect a focused side to come into this match looking for all three points.

 

Riverina Rhinos v Canberra Olympic | Saturday, 5pm @ Solar Mad Stadium & LIVE on BarTVSports

The live game heads to Griffith this weekend as the Riverina Rhinos welcome 2^nd placed Canberra Olympic to Solar Mad Stadium. The Rhinos went down 3-0 to Canberra FC here last weekend after a win over Monaro and will be aiming to rebound from that. They were well in the game for large parts of last weeks outing but fell to a good strike from outside the area, a penalty and a free-kick that beat everyone in the area so can take some solace from how they conceded. They have not been intimidated by opposition higher on the table than them and that is unlikely to change this weekend. With four games to play and seven points separating them and fourth spot their finals hopes are all but dashed, but this side are unlikely to drop their heads because of that, particularly at home. Expect them to present a tough test to a side well in the race for top spot.

Olympic are matching it with Canberra FC at the top, only a point behind, but the ladder leaders have a game in hand on Frank Cachia’s men. Coming up to the FFA Cup Round of 32 and fixture congestion though is the time for Olympic to ensure that they are taking maximum points, dare Canberra FC slip up or tire out. Olympic scored first last week before conceding two quick goals ahead of half-time, and it was a second-half equaliser followed by a wonder goal from Dom Giampaolo that secured them a very important three points. That was a very open game and Cachia may look for his side to tighten things up a bit more this week. The Rhinos are not without their creative weapons who can cause trouble for the visitors, but with Olympic boasting the third best defence in the league they are well equipped to deal. Cachia’s side have scored 14 goals in their last four matches as well and the likes of Giampaolo and Stephen Domenici are set to cause trouble for the hosts.

 

Belconnen United v Monaro Panthers | Saturday, 5:30pm @ McKellar Park

Monaro went down to Tigers 3-1 last weekend despite creating plenty of chances and holding their own for large parts of the game, and a lack of poise in front of goal can share some of the blame. An improved side this year, the Panthers have struggled, scoring only 15 times but this week face a side who have not fared much better. Despite them conceding three goals last week they were not bad at the back, with Tigers getting their second goal off a rebound and their third coming as the Panthers chased the game deep in second half stoppage time. Sam Smith continued his strong season with a goal, and he will trouble the Belconnen backline this weekend. The Panthers are all but mathematically out of the race for the four, but they have several chances over the final four weeks to put a dent in the hopes of other sides.

Belconnen United currently sit fourth on the table with Tigers one point behind and Gungahlin United one further adrift too. The top four race is coming down to the wire and there’s hardly time for slip ups at this stage of the season. Working in United’s favour is that they play every week from now until the end of the season, but Tigers do have a game in hand on them to complicate things. Last week’s bye will have given them a chance to recharge batteries and bring everyone up to fitness for the run home, and a win here is important ahead of a tough outing against Canberra FC next weekend. In round six it took a good goal from Lucas Mauragis to separate these two sides after a tough encounter, and this match is likely to be a battle too. Monaro will not make it easy here but at home, Belconnen will fancy themselves to get the job done.