Brisbane Strikers start their run of five home games in a row without suspended player-coach Stuart McLaren, and Adam Webber and Gareth Musson who are struggling with an ankle and hamstring injury respectively. The empty spaces in the squad sees players who have recently been playing in the Brisbane Premier League are likely to get a run. QAS, on the other hand, will want to build on the form that saw them beat Whitsunday Miners 5-3 last week. The win was their first since Round 9.

Logan United will be aiming for their first home win of the season following their impressive 2-2 draw with Strikers last weekend. The home side will be without Daniel Gecic and Spirit without Jason De Papi, both players having accumulated their fourth yellow cards of the season and therefore having to serve a mandatory one match suspension. A win for either side would be a significant start to leaving the bottom spots of the table.

Sunshine Coast FC fly north to play Capricorn Cougars nine points clear at the top of the QSL table. The league’s leading goal-scorer, Shaun Blackman, will be missing through suspension, and his absence means that Kema Jack will partner Ben Knight in the Coast’s attack – both players having scored in last week’s 6-0 romp over Redlands City Devils. Cougars will want to trouble the table toppers and at least want to hit the back of the net following their goalless draw with Bundaberg last time out.

Whitsunday Miners host the high-flying NQ Razorbacks in the Sunday afternoon kick-off, the visitors on a high after coming from behind to take the points against Olympic FC last weekend. The win catapulted them into second place on the table, equal on points with Redlands but with a superior goal difference. Whitsunday will want to give Mick Tonner’s team a good fight – they have scored seven goals in their past three games but have lost all three.

Sunday evening sees the Brisbane derby between Olympic FC and Redlands City Devils. Both sides are coming off disappointing losses which had detrimental effects on their end of season hopes – Olympic losing ground on a top four spot and Redlands giving up second place. Last time these two sides met the Devils emerged 7-1 winners, but this encounter is sure to be more evenly matched. Devils will travel without their captain Ryan Bridge, Josh Filewood and Evan Parish, all missing through suspension. Olympic will be without regular first team player Jack Petrie, also suspended.

Words: Michelle Tobin

Picture: Brian Monro

QSL ROUND 15

Brisbane Strikers FC Vs Queensland Academy of Sport, Sat 12th Jul - 7:00pm, Perry Park, Albion, Brisbane

Logan United FC Vs Bundaberg Spirit, Sat 12th Jul - 7:00pm, Clem Jones Fields, Slacks Creek

Capricorn Cougars Vs Sunshine Coast FC, Sat 12th Jul - 7:00pm, Jardine Park, Rockhampton

Whitsunday Miners Vs NQ Razorbacks, Sun 13th Jul - 1:00pm, Harrup Park Country Club, Mackay

Olympic FC Vs Redlands City Devils, Sun 13th Jul - 6:00pm, Goodwin Park, Yeronga