Westfield Matildas Clare Polkinghorne and Katrina Gorry played a crucial role in Brisbane Roar’s win over Newcastle Jets last time out but the arrival of Melbourne City will be the Queensland club’s biggest test of the season.
Fourth-placed Brisbane are on a four-match unbeaten run ahead of City’s visit and with a bunch of Australian internationals involved this Thursday evening contest looks one you cannot afford to miss.
Elsewhere, Canberra United welcome Sydney to the ACT looking to make a statement and Adelaide United and Perth Glory face off in a match neither side can afford to lose.
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WESTFIELD MATILDAS WRAP: Ibini nets stunner while Polkinghorne heads rare goal
Brisbane can stake Premiership claim against City
After four matches unbeaten, Brisbane are building a case for Premiership dark horses nicely and Hayley Raso, Mackenzie Arnold, Clare Polkinghorne, Katrina Gorry and Tameka Yallop all know they can send a message to the competition by turning over City this Thursday night.
After a Round 7 bye City are ready to pick up where a five-match winning streak has left them off. Steph Catley, Emma Checker, Ellie Carpenter, Lydia Williams, Kyah Simon, Aivi Luik and Emily van Egmond enter the match in second place but can retake the competition lead by avoiding defeat.
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Do or die for United and Glory
It is approaching last chance saloon for Adelaide United and Perth Glory as the two bottom clubs face off desperate to revive their Finals Series chances on Friday night.
The margins for error are sure to be fine when the two teams take to the pitch in South Australia, and a victorious team may come down to the performance of two Westfield Matildas goalkeepers.
Adelaide’s Sarah Willacy was in inspired form against Sydney FC last time out, while Eliza Campbell has been a standout performer for Glory this season. Mary Fowler will also be a key figure for the Reds if she returns for Ivan Karlovic’s side.
Victory can boost Finals Series chances with Jets scalp
Reigning Premiers Melbourne Victory could crash into the top four should results in Brisbane and Canberra go their way, but they’ll need to deal with the challenge of Newcastle Jets on Sunday afternoon.
Victory are on eight points with six matches played, and Westfield Matildas defenders Jenna McCormick and Teigen Allen know they cannot afford to slip up against Gema Simon’s Newcastle side, who are on four points and need to morale-boosting win themselves.
Canberra need to bounce back against Sky Blues
Heather Garriock’s Canberra are usually no pushovers but their 4-0 defeat to Western Sydney Wanderers in Round 7 is a result that has the potential to derail their Finals Series chances.
A lot will depend on how well Karly Roestbakken’s Green Machine respond this Sunday against the reigning Champions. Alanna Kennedy, Caitlin Foord and Princess Ibini were all involved in Sydney’s 2-0 win over Adelaide in Round 7 but they will need to turn in a sharper performance in the nation’s capital in order to stay in touch with Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne City.
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