There are three rounds left in the NPL Women’s competition, and just a week after clashing in the Nike FC Cup Final at The Home of the Matildas, Bulleen and Preston will do battle again, this time with the NPL Premiership at stake.
There’s still just one point between the bottom three teams battling for survival, and South Melbourne look to gain ground on the top four, who are all jostling for semi-final hosting rights.
Bulleen Lions v Preston Lions: Monday 8:15pm
Bulleen can lock up the 2024 NPLW Premiership this weekend if they are victorious against Preston, and if Essendon drop points earlier in the round.
Playing on the Monday night, Bulleen will know all the other results, and if their second trophy in as many weeks will be up for grabs or not.
Preston, whilst trying to keep Bulleen in touch, will also be looking to solidify their second position from the chasing pack behind; Essendon and Heidelberg hot on their heels for a home semi-final.
Essendon Royals v Bentleigh Greens: Saturday 3:00pm
The Bulleen v Preston matchup is a double-edged sword for the Royals. A Bulleen win would help Essendon towards a top two spot but would almost certainly rule out their chances of clinching the Premiership.
On the other hand, a Preston win keeps all three teams in the balance for top spot and a home semi-final. Either way, the Royals need to win in order to capitalise on any slip ups.
Bentleigh meanwhile sit one point from safety with three rounds to play, tied up in a three-way battle for survival with Brunswick and Calder.
Heidelberg United v Brunswick Juventus: Saturday 4:00pm
With a four-point lead over South Melbourne in 5th, a win for Heidelberg will primarily lend itself towards securing their finals ticket.
An improvement into second and a home semi-final is not out of the question however, they currently sit two points behind both Preston and Essendon.
Brunswick are the team in the relegation battle that currently hold the point advantage over Bentleigh and Calder. Any result will be valuable in their fight for survival.
South Melbourne v Box Hill United: Saturday 4:00pm
South Melbourne is the one team currently sitting outside of the four that can still crack into finals if results fall their way.
They can’t do it this week, but if they fail to earn three points here against Box Hill, Heidelberg could open up too big of a lead to catch.
Box Hill meanwhile is also in that mid-table fight, unable to qualify for finals and safe from relegation.
Alamein v Calder United: Saturday 3:00pm
Currently sitting at the bottom of the table (only by goal difference), Calder will be looking to pick up points wherever they can in their efforts to escape the drop.
Alamein both cannot qualify for finals and are safe from relegation, so it’s a wrestle between themselves and three others for those mid-table positions.
Boroondara Eagles v FV Emerging: Saturday 7:00pm
The clash between Boroondara and FV Emerging on Saturday evening is a direct matchup of two of those mid-table teams.
The Eagles hold a one-point lead over the Emerging squad heading into the final three rounds.
Neither team have any risk of falling into relegation.