VPL Round Twenty-One Preview

All the stats and figures going into the penultimate round of the Victorian Premier League.

Oakleigh Cannons v Northcote City
Fri 8:30pm, Jack Edwards Reserve
2nd v 5th

Last Round:
Dandenong Thunder 0-0 Oakleigh Cannons
Northcote City 0-1 South Melbourne

VPL History:
Oakleigh Cannons win: 4
Northcote City win: 1
Draw: 0

Reverse Fixture:
Northcote City 3-2 Oakleigh Cannons

Form:
Oakleigh Cannons: WWWLD
Northcote City: LWDDL

Currently in the top five, Northcote City have their work cut out to keep their position. Only two points ahead of Hume City and South Melbourne (both clubs with a favourable final round match and a better goal difference that Northcote), and with a match against Green Gully to finish off the season, the team from John Cain are in real danger of missing out on finals.

They will need a win here to maintain hope, and though Oakleigh are in second place, the Cannons have been prone to sluggish performances at times. Northcote need one of those this week.

Richmond v Melbourne Knights
Fri 8:30pm, Kevin Bartlett Reserve
8th v 9th

Last Round:
Hume City 3-3 Richmond
Melbourne Knights 0-0 Green Gully Cavaliers

VPL History:
Richmond win: 2
Melbourne Knights win: 6
Draw: 4

Reverse Fixture:
Melbourne Knights 1-0 Richmond

Form:
Richmond: LDWLD
Melbourne Knights: LLDWD

Both clubs are effectively out of the finals race after draws last round, so this match will be a matter of who wants to finish the year stronger.

Green Gully Cavaliers v Dandenong Thunder
Sat 3pm, Green Gully Reserve
4th v 1st

Last Round:
Melbourne Knights 0-0 Green Gully Cavaliers
Dandenong Thunder 0-0 Oakleigh Cannons

VPL History:
Green Gully Cavaliers win: 3
Dandenong Thunder win: 4
Draw: 2

Reverse Fixture:
Dandenong Thunder 3-0 Green Gully Cavaliers

Form:
Green Gully Cavaliers: WDWLD
Dandenong Thunder: WDWWD

With the title already wrapped up for Dandenong Thunder, this match could well be an underwhelming occasion as both sides try to hide what they will offer in the finals. A single point for Green Gully will seal a top five spot, but they will be eager for three to secure a place in the top three and the double-chance that goes with it, while results are no longer necessary for the Thunder.

Southern Stars v Hume City
Sat 3pm, Kingston Heath Soccer Club
10th v 6th

Last Round:
Moreland Zebras 3-3 Southern Stars
Hume City 3-3 Richmond

VPL History:
Southern Stars win: 0
Hume City win: 0
Draw: 1

Reverse Fixture:
Hume City 1-1 Southern Stars

Form:
Southern Stars: LLLWD
Hume City: WLLWD

Hume City will be looking for a big win over Southern Stars to possibly put them over Northcote City after their draw last round meant their fate was no longer in their own hands. With a  match against Moreland to finish the regular season next week, six point from the final two weeks is a real possibility and all Hume will need is a single slip-up by Northcote who have some tough matches. 

Moreland Zebras v Heidelberg United
Sun 3pm, Epping Soccer Stadium
11th v 12th

Last Round:
Moreland Zebras 3-3 Southern Stars
Bentleigh Greens 3-0 Heidelberg United

VPL History:
Moreland Zebras win: 8
Heidelberg United win: 9
Draw: 3

Reverse Fixture:
Heidelberg United 0-4 Moreland Zebras

Form:
Moreland Zebras: LLLLD
Heidelberg United: LWLDL

Undoubtedly the two poorest clubs this season, Heidelberg and Moreland will go head-to-head with the loser effectively guaranteed the wooden-spoon.

South Melbourne v Bentleigh Greens
Sun 5pm, Lakeside Stadium
7th v 3rd

Last Round:
Northcote City 0-1 South Melbourne
Bentleigh Greens 3-0 Heidelberg United

VPL History:
South Melbourne win: 4
Bentleigh Greens win: 2
Draw: 1

Reverse Fixture:
Bentleigh Greens 1-0 South Melbourne

Form:
South Melbourne: WWDLW
Bentleigh Greens: WDDWW

South Melbourne still have hope to claim fifth spot but will face a big test when they go up against the third-placed Bentleigh Greens. South have had quite a rocky season this year and it is remarkable they are still in finals contention – but it will be hard work against a team whose finals position is basically assured.

Free live web streaming will be available for this match through VPL Live TV.

Goals
17 – Luke Sherbon, Dandenong Thunder
11 – Nicholas Hegarty, Hume City
9 – Nate Foster, Dandenong Thunder
8 – Tom Cahill, Richmond
8 – Mathew Sanders, Green Gully Cavaliers
7 – James Kalifatidis, Northcote City
7 – Mark Leech, Hume City
7 – Ricky Diaco, Oakleigh Cannons
7 – Osagie Ederaro, Green Gully Cavaliers
7 – Scott Bulloch, Bentleigh Greens
7 – David Stirton, Southern Stars

Yellow Cards
6 – Steven Topalovic, Richmond
6 – Jonathan Voulgaris, Northcote City
6 – Kristian Konstantinidis, Northcote City
6 – Nicholas Marinos, Heidelberg United
6 – Saso Alexovski, Heidelberg United
6 – Alan Mulcahy, Southern Stars

Red Cards
4 – Melbourne Knights (Ben Surey, Tomislav Uskok, Shaun Romein, Marijan Cvitkovic)
3 – Richmond (Liam Cannell, Michael Ferrante, Mate Eterovic)
3 – Southern Stars (Lean Williams, Ridvan Saglam, Halil Gur)
3 – South Melbourne (Thomas Matthews, Trent Rixon, Shaun Kelly)
2 – Green Gully Cavaliers (Patricio Vargas, Mile Medjedovic)
1 – Heidelberg United (George Papadopoulos)
1 – Bentleigh Greens (Jack Webster)