Gold Coast Knights vs Redlands United

High-flying Gold Coast Knights welcome out-of-sorts Redlands United at the Gold Coast Croatian Sports Centre 1 in a lopsided Queensland NPL encounter.

Gold Coast Knights will take the field in high spirits, even though a 1-1 draw away Moreton Bay curtailed their impressive four-game winning league streak. Comfortable at the top of the standings, the hosts have gone from strength to strength since an opening-day 3-0 home loss to Gold Coast United, going unbeaten in 13 consecutive league fixtures (W9, D4) to move a point ahead of second-placed United. Furthermore, Scott McDonald’s men have won their last three home league matches by an aggregate score of 12-3, opening the scoring within the first 20 minutes on each occasion. With three of those four games featuring over 1.5 first-half goals, a quick-fire start could be on the cards.

On the other hand, visiting Redlands United succumbed to a dreadful 3-1 defeat at Rochedale last time out, ending a decent-looking run of three consecutive league games without losing (W2, D1). But while they sit comfortably outside the relegation spots, the visitors must make up significant ground on the playoff places, trailing fourth-placed Queensland Lions by eight points. Playing on the road won’t aid their cause, as they’ve lost back-to-back away league games in the build-up to this trip, failing to find the net beyond halftime on both occasions. Adding to manager Richard Greer’s worries, his men have lost all three previous league visits to the ‘Knights,’ conceding at least twice in each defeat.