Round 15 is set to be a cracking round of NPLW action with Monday's clash between Bulleen and South Melbourne to shape the top of the ladder moving forward.
Preston Lions v Southern United
8:15 pm, Friday 16 June, B.T. Connor Reserve
Southern United managed a draw against Alamein in Round 14, as Preston squandered another three points, going down to Calder United 2-1.
Southern would be ecstatic to claim their second point of the season last week and would count themselves a chance against the out-of-form Preston lineup.
Midfielder Belinda Stojcevski found the back of the net with a thunderous strike outside the box against Calder last week and if she can be a further midfield-scoring threat alongside Miri Nishimura - the Lions will be hard to stop. Izzy Coppel will lead Southern's midfield after starring last week, however, she will be without Alyssa Rose who has made an immediate impact since joining from Heidelberg.
Southern defender Rachel Binning will lineup against Preston striker Rachel Stirton, although last week the veteran proved she was also dangerous from a set piece - scoring Southern's ninth goal for the season with a well-placed header.
After impressing through the midfield in the early parts of the season, Yaka Sato has moved to a more attacking role but will have a hard time getting quality shots on goal against Preston's Emma Checker, Kaitlyn Torpey, and Olivia Edwards.
Southern United have scored two goals in two out of their past three matches but had scored multiple goals only once across their 37 games in the competition prior to that span.
The last time the two sides met, Preston defeated Southern United 3-0 with Rachel Stirton, Miri Nishimura, and Hailee Mesit finding the back of the net.
Can Preston get their season back on track or will Southern continue the Lions' misery?
Alamein v Boroondara Eagles
3:00 pm, Saturday 24 June, Dorothy Laver West Reserve
Alamein was forced to settle for a draw against Southern United last week and Boroondara smashed Box Hill United at home.
After back-to-back defeats, Boroondara stormed back to second place with a terrific performance in Round 14.
Alamein defender Chinatsu Shidara will get the match-up of Boroondara striker Kuera Okino who is back to her best, scoring a hat-trick last week to bring her season tally to 20 goals.
The Eagles' proved they are more than a one-trick pony against Box Hill with Emily Sutcliffe and Ellen Turner both scoring braces in the big win.
After enjoying an early-season purple patch, Alamein's last victory came in Round 7 with the seventh-placed side also only scoring one goal in their past two matches.
Alamein would be disappointed with only picking up a point against the winless Southern United last week, with only midfielder Molly Burke stepping up with a goal in the first half.
Striker Rebecca Saber (Alamein) will come up against Boroondara defender Cassie Carmen, while wingers Savanna Anastasopoulos and Elaina Vatcky will need to create more chances this week if they are going to come away with a result.
Boroondara star midfielder Margot Robbine made her return last week and will cause plenty of headaches along with Hayley Guerts and Becky Lim. Ashleigh Lefevre was Alamein's best through the midfield against Southern United and along with captain Sidney Allen and young gun Molly Burke will bring the fight right up to the equal ladder leaders.
The Eagles defeated Alamein 3-0 in Round 4 this season, Golden Boot leader Kuera Okino was scintillating with three goals.
Can Alamein get back on the winners' list or can Boroondara make it two wins in a row?
Bayside United v FV Emerging
5:00 pm, Saturday 24 June, Kingston Heath Soccer Complex
Bayside defeated Heidelberg last week and FV Emerging narrowly lost to Bulleen.
After three wins in a row, Bayside find themselves in the top four and could jump to second place with a victory on Saturday.
The rising side will regain dominant striker Kayla Deaver for this week's clash after she spent Round 14 on the sideline for a red card. The forward is second in the Golden Boot race with eight goals for the season. Julia Budiongo stepped up in her absence, scoring a brace in last week's victory, setting up a tough matchup for FV Emerging's full-backs Zoe Bennett and Mia Bulic.
Emilie Keppens will spearhead the attack for Emerging, the striker has scored seven goals for the season and will test Bayside defenders Zoe Haractsis and Elsa Sousa. The dangerous Alana Cortellino (3 goals, 4 assists) will play on the wing alongside Candice Kilderry, while Kiera Meyers will provide an option up forward or through the midfield.
Miwa Sasaki has had a fantastic season through the midfield and will look to dominate the midfield battle alongside Olivia Bomford and Sarah Johnston. FV Emerging captain Anika Dovaston scored her second goal in as many weeks and is proving to be a real handful but will fellow midfielders Carina Rossi and Ehva Gutszmit to rise to the occasion if Emerging is claim their second victory for the season.
In Round 4, both sides couldn't be split with the match ending in a 4-4 draw. Anika Dobaston and Emilie Keppens both scored brace Emerging in the classic encounter.
Can Emerging build on their last performance with a big upset win or will Bayside continue to climb the ladder?
Box Hill United v Heidelberg United
3:30 pm, Sunday 25 June, Wembley Park
Box Hil was decimated by Boroondara last week and Heidelberg was left empty-handed by Bayside at home.
The Bergers have lost their last two matches and could be in danger of making it three in a row against a seething Box Hill side that has won four out of their last five matches.
Heidelberg has been kept goalless over the past fortnight with their attacking duo of Georgia Beaumont and Steph Galea due for a game-winning performance. The pair have combined for 10 goals this season but will need to contend with Box Hill defenders Maxine Diblasi, Madison Van Dooren and Olivia Ellis.
Asuka Doi (8 goals) will be Box Hill's main threat up forward along with Anais Josefski (6 goals), while Heidelberg's Felicity Georgopoulos and Elly Torre can quell their influence.
Box Hill may be able to break the game open through the midfield with Melindaj Barbieri, and Sofia Sakalis a dangerous scoring threat, while Laura Pickett also provides plenty of stability. Heidelberg's Nicole Blackett has been terrific all season in midfield, scoring six goals, however, will need Kathryn Vlahopoulos, Reona Omiya, and Karina Tolios to perform to match Box Hill's quality.
Heidelberg defeated Box Hill 3-2 the last time they met with Asuka Doi scoring a brace in the losing side.
Will Box Hill continue its resurgence or can Heidelberg can get to their winning ways?
Bulleen Lions v South Melbourne
8:15 pm, Monday 26 June, Veneto Club
South Melbourne had the bye on the weekend and Bulleen defeated FV Emerging 2-1 in a close battle.
In the match of the round, two of the top three sides are set to battle it out with the top spot on the line.
Midfielders Alana Jancesvksi and Tyla Vlajnic have both found the net twice in the past three weeks, while Aroha Little (2 goals) will play up front and need to overcome the defensive capabilities of South Melbourne's Brianne Reed.
Bulleen's defence is the best in the league (12 goals against), but this week they come up against the reigning NPLW Golden Boot Danielle Wise who has shown she hasn't lost a step at her new side, scoring seven goals so far this season.
The striker will come up against Bulleen full-backs Katie Beck and Claudia Mihocic, while wingers Tayla Christensen and Janna Lawson will need to contend with Lia Muldeary and Faith Stephenson.
Midfielder Meisha Westland has shown the ability to become a goal-scoring option for South, while Bulleen's Alana Jancesvksi has been on fire since joining the Lions in the mid-season transfer window, scoring four goals. Paige Zois and Grace Taranto have also been pivotal in Bulleen's recent form but face a tough matchup against Scottish midfielder Dragana Kljajic (South Melbourne) and Francesca Iermano.
Danielle Wise (7 goals) will be the focal point up forward for South, with Janna Lawson and Tayla Christensen playing on the wings.
Bulleen defeated South Melbourne 3-1 earlier in the year, Audrey Oaster was best on with a second-half brace.
Will someone step up and lead their side to the top spot on the ladder or will Boroondara pip them both if we see a draw in this fixture?