We have now passed the halfway mark of the 2019 WSL season, with 31 of the 60 games having been played and its getting mighty tight up at the top of the table. The Hobart Zebras moved within a point of Olympia with their midweek win over Clarence, and they have a game in hand over the Warriors as it stands. With the sides still to play two more times including a final day showdown, it could well be a race that goes right down to the last game of the season. Both sides will be expecting to pick up three points this weekend and with just 3 goals separating the sides on goal difference, they will be looking to win handily.
Third placed Ulverstone still remain an outside chance following their big win last weekend over Olympia, but they would need to get on a roll like they did in 2018 and probably have to win 9, if not all 10 of their remaining games. Winning 10 games would take them to 46 points, which could be enough if the Warriors (who can reach 53 points) and Zebras (55 points) were to drop games elsewhere. So it's improbable but not impossible. They face the toughest test of the top 3 this week when they host the Kingborough Lions and will be looking to avenge their defeat from their previous meeting at Lightwood Park, a 4-2 Lions victory.
The Lions will want to push up into third place but need to at least get a draw in this one to keep within touch. An Ulverstone win would mean that gap between the pair opens back up to 7 points 9 games left to go. The Lions best is as good as anyone's, they play some wonderful eye catching football at time but consistency within games and remaining tight at the back remains their Achilles heel.
In the other games, the Hobart Zebras take on Clarence for the second time in the week, having comfortably dispatched them 8-0 on Wednesday night. Again they will meet at Wentworth Park and again the Zebras will heavy favourites as they look to really build that goal differential that could yet prove so pivotal to the title race.
Olympia will also want to boost their own goal difference, but need to be on guard against a South Hobart side that nearly pulled off one of the shocks of the season the last time they played. Olympia claimed the win eventually, but it was only 2-1, with South almost producing a late leveller. Back on their home deck, Olympia have been much stronger than when on the road and despite an injury to Madi Chambers, they should still have plenty of firepower. South looked in fine touch when they torched Clarence 8-0 last week, but a 12-0 loss to Ulverstone the week prior still leaves pause for caution ahead of this one.
Saturday 29 June
Olympia Warriors v South Hobart, 2:00pm, Warrior Park
Clarence United v Hobart Zebras, 2:00pm, Wentworth Park 2
Ulverstone SC v Kingborough 2:30pm, Ulverstone