The defending champions have won seven consecutive NZFC matches against Waikato FC and will be red hot favourites to continue that run unless the home side can pull off a major upset. Waikato FC have won two on the trot and will be confident ahead of a vital fixture for both sides.
Otago United have defied the critics and mounted a serious NZFC play-off challenge but they will have to be at their best when they visit Waitakere United if they want to push on for second spot. Waitakere have a seven match winning streak at home to Otago and will be anxious to extend that to eight if they want to reel in arch-rivals Auckland City. Otago will be far from a pushover after they established a four point lead over the chasing pack with last week’s impressive 3-1 win over Team Wellington.
YoungHeart Manawatu made a blistering start to their campaign with a 4-0 win at Team Wellington but that form looks a distant memory after four defeats on the trot that included an astonishing 3-2 loss to Waikato FC last week. Canterbury had a week off after their match with Hawke’s Bay United was washed out and the Dragons will have their eye on a victory that will get their top four aspirations back on track.
Two away matches, two defeats for fourth placed Team Wellington in recent times mean that a home match with Hawke’s Bay United could be just the tonic to reinvigorate their NZFC campaign, with the home side anxious to regain lost ground on third placed Otago United. It’s a must-win match for bottom placed Hawke’s Bay United if they want to keep their play-off hopes alive. Victory in the capital will at least lift the visitors into seventh place if results go their way.
Story courtesy NZF Media. Visit www.NZFC.co.nz for full coverage.