Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Anthony Napoli

It may be the start of winter but the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues action is heating up with another five big matches this weekend.

Brisbane Roar FC Youth v Moreton Bay United FC
Saturday, June 4 | 3:00PM
Cleveland Showgrounds, Redland City

With both sides boasting just a single win in their past five league outings, Young Roar and Jets will be eager to give their campaigns a much-needed kick start this weekend.

The tenth placed Young Roar continue to prove enigmatic this year with their third best defensive record in the competition nullified by less than stellar return in front of goal.

They will face a Jets side that is struggling to regain its mojo in mid-table and in danger of losing touch with the league leaders if they let another three points slip.

Their task will prove difficult though, with Young Roar yet to be defeated on their home patch this year.

Match Centre - http://bit.ly/1RT2es8

Gold Coast City FC v Western Pride FC
Saturday, June 4 | 5:00PM
Duncan McKenna Field, Gold Coast

Fresh off their first league defeat in three months, City are eyeing a possible return to the top four when they host the notoriously inconsistent Pride on the Glitter Strip.

Despite tasting defeat just three times in all competitions this season, City have failed to dispel doubts of their Premiership credentials and are looking to demonstrate greater ruthlessness in the run towards September.

However, the battling Pride have proven a tricky opponent this season despite languishing second-from-last in the standings, with only three defeats of more than a single goal throughout the league campaign.

History also suggests that, like their previous meeting, there will be goals in store – with both sides failing to keep a clean-sheet far this season.

Match Centre - http://bit.ly/1TSpY7k

Brisbane City FC v SWQ Thunder FC
Saturday, June 4 | 6:30PM
Corporate Travel Management Stadium, Brisbane

Thunder are out for revenge as they return to the scene of their largest ever league defeat to take on the high-flying City.

The timing could not be better for the seventh-placed Thunder after their last start win over Fury ended a 26 match winless streak away from home while also marking the first time the Toowoomba club has recorded back-to-back wins in their short history.

However, they will face no easy task against a City side looking to lock away a league double over Thunder for a third straight year and maintain the pressure on the league’s top three.

Form also favours the hosts who are undefeated in their past six league outings and without defeat since April.

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/1XniSJ4

Northern Fury FC v Olympic FC
Saturday, June 4 | 7:00PM
International Park, Ayr

Another week and another chance for Fury to shake the monkey off their back as they seek their first points of the 2016 campaign – this time against the resurgent Olympic.

Fury came their closest yet to ending their club record 12 match losing run last round after taking the lead for the first time in the league this year before succumbing late to Thunder.

The lessons from that performance will need to be learned quickly if they are to get the better of an Olympic side that has won three of their past five matches – including last week’s stunning upset of league leaders FNQ Heat.

Working against Olympic is the absence of striker Ramone Close, whose second-half dismissal took some of the shine off last week’s result.

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/287GJQ7

Sunshine Coast FC v FNQ FC Heat
Sunday, June 5 | 2:00PM
Kawana Sports Precinct, Sunshine Coast

Following two straight defeats, the league-leading Heat are out to remind the rest of the league of their Premiership credentials this weekend away to Fire.

Despite sitting in the bottom half of the table, Fire will prove a handful for Heat – with the hosts’ workmanlike and direct style certain to test a back four that leaked five goals last weekend to Olympic.

However, Fire will have their own defensive challenges as well with a backline that has kept just one clean sheet in the league this year needing to somehow stifle a side that posted four goals against them earlier in the season.

No matter the result Heat will remain top of the table come round’s end, with the Redlands United and Brisbane Strikers tie rescheduled to accommodate the clubs’ respective Westfield FFA Cup ties.

Match Centre - http://bit.ly/1TMIN6y