South Hobart vs Kingborough Lions
Date: Saturday May 8
Venue: Darcy Street
Kick-off: 2:00 PM
2021 record: South Hobart: 3-1-0 (second in NPL TAS) Kingborough Lions: 4-0-1 (first in NPL TAS)
Top scorers: South Hobart: Nick Morton (6) Kingborough Lions: Adam McKeown (7)
Preview:
We are now five rounds into the NPL season, and this is a top of the table clash that not many would have predicted before the year started. Kingborough have kicked on nicely after their Summer Cup triumph, but it's hard to know what to expect here after both sides were below their best in the cup last weekend. The Lions have lost just once in the league so far in 2021, but they are also yet to beat either of the teams alongside them in the top three on the table. That makes this clash even more important to them, as it is a chance for them to stamp their papers as a genuine title contender and pull further ahead at the top. Adam McKeown continues to score goals for fun, and if any team has a way to stop him they haven't shown it yet this season. He and the rest of the Lions attack will face their toughest test yet in round six, up against a South defence that has conceded just three goals in four league games. Nicholas O'Connell has been outstanding in goal and their new-look backline led by Jayden Hey has barely faltered. At the other end, Nick Morton is among the league's leading goalscorers and has always given Kingborough plenty of trouble in these matchups. If he is at his best he could very quickly take the game away from them.Key player: Sam Berezansky, South Hobart
Berezansky has been a workhorse for South this year, pushing hard into attack and defence when needed. With plenty of attention likely to be on Morton, his creativity in the attacking third could be crucial in breaking down the Lions defence.Devonport Strikers vs Clarence Zebras
Date: Saturday May 8
Venue: Valley Road
Kick-off: 2:15 PM
2021 record: Devonport Strikers: 2-1-2 (fourth in NPL TAS) Clarence Zebras: 1-0-3 (sixth in NPL TAS)
Top scorers: Devonport Strikers: Brody Denehey (3) Clarence Zebras: Riley Dillon (4)
Preview:
Devonport returned to form in the Lakoseljac Cup with a big quarter-final win, and they will be looking to carry that into the league when they host the Clarence Zebras. It was the familiar faces that stood up for the Strikers in the cup, as Miles Barnard hit the scoreboard and Nathan Pitchford made some big saves in a 2-1 away win against South Hobart. That came after some poor form in the NPL, with a loss to Kingborough followed by a shock home draw against the Olympia Warriors. It has been a perplexing season so far for the Strikers, and it feels like it is only a matter of time before they turn their form around. The win over South may have been the first step in that process, and this game against the Zebras is a good chance for them to continue to build. While Clarence have somewhat fixed their biggest issue from last year and are scoring regularly, their defence has conceded an equal-league high 12 goals in four games. Up against a Strikers side featuring Barnard and Eddie Bidwell in good form, that could be a big problem.Key player: Riley Dillon, Clarence Zebras
Dillon has been a revelation playing further up the field in 2021, and he currently sits fourth in the NPL Tasmania goalscoring leaders. Up against a Strikers defence that settled back into their usual rhythm last week he will need to find a way to break the line if the Zebras are to win.Olympia Warriors vs Launceston City
Date: Saturday May 8
Venue: Warrior Park
Kick-off: 4:30 PM
2021 record: Olympia Warriors: 1-1-2 (fifth in NPL TAS) Launceston City: 1-0-3 (seventh in NPL TAS)
Top scorers: Olympia Warriors: Kyle Vincent (3) Launceston City: Yasin Mohammadi/Daniel Smith/Jarrod Linger (1)
Preview:
It's a second matchup in a week for these two sides after Launceston City claimed a 2-1 win over Olympia in the Lakoseljac Cup quarter-finals last week. While it took an extra-time minute winner from Alexander Rossetto to seal that result, it meant that City have won back-to-back games after a northern derby win in the last round of the NPL. Yasin Mohammadi hit the scoresheet again last week after dominating that game against Riverside, while coach Lino Sciulli spoke post-game last week about his hopes to use Rossetto and some of his Championship players more frequently. For the Warriors, that cup loss would have been disappointing after claiming a point on the road against Devonport the previous week. They would have been glad to see Kyle Vincent hit the back of the net again after his hot streak to start the season in the NPL, and a return home to Warrior Park should boost their chances of reversing the result this time around.Key player: Yasin Mohammadi, Lunaceston City
After his performance in round five, this couldn't be anyone else. Mohammadi was in the middle of everything positive for Launceston, and if he is in the same form against a youthful Olympia side then City will be tough to beat.Riverside Olympic vs Glenorchy Knights
Date: Saturday May 8
Venue: Windsor Park
Kick-off: 4:30 PM
2021 record: Riverside Olympic: 0-0-4 (eighth in NPL TAS) Glenorchy Knights: 3-1-0 (third in NPL TAS)
Top scorers: Riverside Olympic: Tom Prince (2) Glenorchy Knights: Alex Walter (5)
Preview:
Still searching for their first win of the season, Riverside Olympic will face another tough test when they host Glenorchy in round six. Olympic would have been disappointed to give up a two-goal lead in their derby loss to Launceston last time out, and they can't afford any such lapses against a side that is challenging for the title. There may be some good news in relation to perosonnel for this game, with Luca Vigilante expected to feature and Ryan McCarragher a chance to be included. Life after Alex Walter started well for the Knights with a 2-1 cup win over Kingborough, and they should be looking for plenty of goals here even without their leading scorer. Nicholas Devereux scored in his first senior game of the season last week, and with the likes of Joffrey Nkoso and Nic Naden still present coach James Sherman has plenty of options in attack. Up against a side that has conceded 12 goals in four games, there could be goals there for the taking at Windsor Park.Key player: Daniel Nash, Riverside Olympic
Nash is a quality goalkeeper and has had some strong showings this season, but he will be under the pump from the opening kickoff here. If he can string together some saves and keep his side close, there's no ruling them out on their home ground.