The following are previews with betting tips for selected fixtures in Round 17 of the 2020 NPL Queensland season.
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Lions FC vs Gold Coast United FC7:00PM/ SAT 03 OCT |
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Last RD- The Lions are in 1st place, that while the Gold Coast reside in 8th position on the ladder. The Lions have 10 wins, as opposed to the Gold Coast’s 4. Brisbane have suffered through just the 3 losses this campaign, while the Gold Coast are at double that (6). And the Lions have scored 50 goals this season, far and away the best in the comp. Whilst they’ve conceded just the 16. Those numbers for the Gold Coast are 23 and 27 respectively. Finally the Lions have 34 competition points and United just 18. Last round the Lions thrashed the Roar, 4 goals to 0, at home at Lions Park. As for the Gold Coast, they drew 1-all, with the Eastern Suburbs Football Club. That result occurred at Coplick Family Sports Park 1. The Lions scored their goals through Brindell-South in just the 8th min, Alexander in the 22nd min, Duckworth 5 mins later and to top it all of, via Farina in the 67th min. They also received nada cautions throughout the match. As for the Gold Coast, their sole goal came through Smith in the 56th minute, that after the opposition had opened the scoring in the 39th min. They also received 4 yellow cards throughout the match.
Key Stats- The Lions have won 4 of their last 5 played clashes. And the Gold Coast have lost 2 of their past 5, with the other 3 being draws. Also interestingly enough, whilst it’s not a stat, the Lions are currently coached by head A-League Roar coach, Warren Moon. Whilst the Gold Coast are currently being managed by Kristian Rees. Himself being a former A-League player, who played for all of Wellington, Adelaide and the Gold Coast.
Key Player- Shane ‘Smeltzy’ Smeltz. One of the best ever to lace on a pair of boots in the A-League, he’s now back at where it all started on the Gold Coast. And despite being 39 years of age, he’s never been better on the field. According to Wikipedia, he has scored 8 goals from 9 appearances so far for the Gold Coast this campaign. The former Sydney FC man and Wellington player (amongst others), brings a professional, experienced and calming presence to the field. And his side will definitely need all of that and more as they prepare to face off against the best side in the whole of QLD. His leadership and ability to help spark their (the Gold Coast’s) attack will go a long way to ensuring they can get something out of this encounter. Expect United to rely heavily upon him in this one.
Betting Tips- Pick the Lions to win at $1.28 (bet365)
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Moreton Bay United FC vs Brisbane Strikers FC7:00PM/ SAT 03 OCT |
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Last RD- Moreton Bay currently reside in 6th position, with 6 victories to their name this campaign. Whilst the Strikers are in 9th, with 4 wins. Each side have also respectively lost 6 clashes each this season. Moreton Bay have scored 29 goals and conceded 34 so far. For Brisbane, they’ve put through 22 goals and leaked 27. Moreton are on 22 points and the Strikers 18. There’s not a hell of a lot separating these two teams at the moment! Whilst Moreton’s GD is -5, as is Brisbane’s. Last round, Moreton had the bye. Prior to that however, they defeated the Sunshine Coast Wanderers, 2 goals to 1, at Ballinger Park. As for the Strikers, their latest affair saw them come out on top in the Brisbane Derby, against Brisbane City FC, 2-1, at Corporate Travel Management Stadium. Moreton claimed their goals courtesy of Arop in the 29th minute and then again through Grimley in the 77th minute, as he produced the relatively late winner for his side. Their only yellow of the game came in the 62nd minute, to Farr. And the Strikers goals came through Jackson in the 13th min and a converted Hills spot-kick in the 49th min. They also received a yellow to Halliday in the 84th min and a red to Mclean in the 60th min.
Key Stats- Moreton have won 3 of their last 5 clashes. With the other 2 being a draw and a loss. As for the Strikers they’ve struck out (no pun intended), winning just 1 of their last 5 games. The others being 3 draws and a loss. And whilst it’s not a stat, Moreton are currently managed by Pouria Nabi. Somebody who is also currently an Academy Head Coach & Performance Analyst/ First Team Leadership-Culture External Consultant at the Roar. Whilst the Striker head coach is Owen Baker. A man who once led the Strikers all the way to an FFA Cup Semi Final. Not at all a bad shout for a non A-League side!
Key Player- Chom Arop. The Striker hasn’t quite displayed what he’s capable of in the NPL this campaign, with just a single goal to his name. But when he gets going, he’s absolute fire. In 2018 he scored 13 goals, the year before in the U20’s, it was 15. That’s just an indication of the sort of stuff he can produce/ do when he’s got the confidence and is playing well. However, given that he’s only played 4 games this year, the more minutes/ game time he gets under his belt, it’ll surely equate to him only getting better. And given he’s coming up against a side with a somewhat leaky defence and one that’s going not so great, why can’t he get a goal and get the ball moving for his season? And that was meant both literally and figuratively. Expect him to have an impact in this game in one way or another.
Betting Tips- Pick Moreton to be victorious at $2.20 (bet365)
Other Betting Tips- Pick all of Peninsula Power to beat Olympic United at 2.60 (bet365), Brisbane Roar to beat the Eastern Suburbs at 2.30 (bet365), Gold Coast Knights to beat Redlands United at 1.062 (bet365) and Capalaba to beat the Sunshine Coast at 2.30 (bet365).