Clarence Zebras vs Devonport Strikers
Date: Saturday June 26
Venue: Wentworth Park
Kick-off: 12:00 PM
2021 record Clarence Zebras: 7-1-1 (first in WSL) Devonport Strikers: 4-0-3 (fourth in WSL)
Top scorers Clarence Zebras: Allie Berry (10) Devonport Strikers: Jazmin White (8)
Preview:
A thrilling win last round saw the Clarence Zebras extend their lead atop the table, and they will look to do the same again when they host the in-form Strikers this week. It took a late surge to see the Zebras over the line in round 10 as they came back from a two-goal deficit to defeat Launceston United. That wasn't their first close call this season, and yet they still sit eight points clear on top of the table and undefeated since round one. They have won their last four games, including a 4-1 victory over the Strikers at Valley Road, and they would be confident in keeping that run going at home this week. Allie Berry has been phenomenal since returning to their lineup, but it was promising to see the Zebras storm home late without her hitting the scoreboard. The difference in this game may come from the opposite end of the field, where they will need to negate one of the league's premier forwards in Jazmin White. Speaking of White, she was outstanding once again in last round's 5-2 win over South Hobart, scoring twice in the first half to send the Strikers on their way. While she leads the way with eight goals, handy contributions from the likes of Danielle Mitchell (three goals), Emily Smith (two) and Nikita Boyd (two) could prove to be the difference in games like this. The league's lesser teams can be blown away by White alone, but she will need some further support against the ladder leaders if the Strikers want to succeed. A top-two finish is still well and truly within reach if they can continue their current form, with three straight wins keeping them in contention.Key player: Shelley Cook, Clarence Zebras
The Strikers have plenty of pace in their attacking line, meaning there will be danger aplenty with every long ball over and through the defence. That will heap the pressure onto Cook to read the ball well and decisively come off her line to intercept, and to shut down the attacking angles where necessary. It's a tough job, but the veteran goalkeeper has proven time and again that she is up to the challenge.Kingborough Lions vs Launceston United
Date: Saturday June 26
Venue: Lightwood Park
Kick-off: 4:30 PM
2021 record Kingborough Lions: 2-2-3 (sixth in WSL) Launceston United: 4-0-6 (third in WSL)
Top scorers Kingborough Lions: Laura Davis (7) Launceston United: Danielle Gunton (6)
Preview:
Two sides in desperate need of a win will meet under lights at Lightwood Park, with both Kingborough and Launceston struggling for form and slipping down the table. The Lions are coming into round 11 after a fortnight with no games, following up the Statewide Cup final weekend with a bye last round. They will need to quickly shake off any rust against a dangerous Launceston United side, but their recent form gives even more cause for concern with just one win in their last five games. Still, this is largely the same side that made it all the way to the Summer Cup final in the pre-season, and their lineup is packed with enough talent to turn things around. Laura Davis and Danielle Kannegiesser are proven stars, but the young talent around them will need to find some more consistency if they are to start a climb up the table. It's a similar story for Launceston; after a fast start to the season revealed plenty of budding stars, they have since fallen into a hole and lost their last four WSL games. One positive ahead of this matchup is that their last league win was against the Lions, albeit on their home ground at WMPS Park. There were plenty of positives to take out of the first 50 minutes of their game last round too, where they took a 2-0 lead against the league-leading Zebras and barely looked like conceding at the other end. That should be the focus for players and coaches alike, rather than the 40 minutes of disaster that followed. Gonya Luate was rock-solid at the back and scored a cracking goal, while Jess Robinson was impressive once again. They have given United a strong spine in the midfield, but who can step up elsewhere?Key player: Bronte Gadon, Kingborough Lions
One of Kingborough's experienced heads, Gadon will be a key player if they are to steady the ship in the back half of the season. In this matchup, she will be tasked with keeping United's midfield stars accountable at both ends of the field.South Hobart vs Olympia Warriors
Date: Sunday June 27
Venue: Darcy Street
Kick-off: 2:15 PM
2021 record South Hobart: 3-1-5 (fifth in WSL) Olympia Warriors: 4-2-2 (second in WSL)
Top scorers South Hobart: Pishon Choi (4) Olympia Warriors: Mia Cane (7)
Preview:
Two teams in need of a win for vastly different reasons will meet in round 11, with the Olympia Warriors facing South Hobart. At risk of slipping out of the title race, the Warriors will travel to Darcy Street looking to keep the pressure on the Zebras at the top of the table. A 2-2 draw with last-placed Taroona saw them fall further behind the ladder leaders last round, and it could have been much worse after they fell behind 2-0. Some sides would be relieved to salvage a point from that scenario, but the Warriors would surely be disappointed to leave anything on the table. If they can produce a full 90-minute performance they should have no trouble bouncing back here, but that is suddenly a much bigger 'if' than a week ago. Madi Chambers was the spark after a quiet first half last week, ably supported by Meghan Goscombe once she was shifted forward. They may be too much for South's defence to handle. Having said that, South Hobart have not been terrible defensively this season; their 17 goals conceded is less than the two sides directly above them on the table, and the equal-third best mark in the league. Their problems start at the other end of the field, where they have just 12 goals this season and five in their last six games. That scoring drought has seen them go winless over that six-game span, and they will need to find consistent scoring if they want to turn things around. Pishon Choi has stepped into the attacking void and worked tirelessly every game, but her setup work so often goes unrewarded.Key player: Sophie Westwood, South Hobart
Westwood was a bright spot in a tough loss last round, scoring both of her side's goals in an impressive display. Those were her second and third goals of the season; if she can start turning in goals more consistently, she could help her side to climb the table.