BUFFALO SPORTS PREMIER LEAGUE Round 7 Preview

SUNDAY’S match of the round in the Buffalo Sports Premier League is looming as a major test of Magic United’s top four credentials when they host new league leaders Burleigh Heads at Carrara Stadium.

Col Phelan’s Burleigh are starting to hit their straps as the campaign gathers pace and Magic boss Brett Budwee knows this is a crucial game for his team after going down to the Gold Coast Knights last week.

It was not so much the 4-2 scoreline that will worry Budwee most going into this week’s game, more the manner of the defeat with his team outclassed for much of the match, particularly in the middle of the park.

Burleigh Heads possess much the same quality in that department and if they can dominate as the Knights did then it could be another bad day at the office for Magic. Did Magic’s early season form flatter to deceive? We will find out on Sunday with the game promising to live up to its ‘match of the round’ billing.

Broadbeach Utd Coach Simon Kalaba will no doubt be enjoying his side’s return to form after back to back wins over Musgrave in both the Dog & Parrot FA Cup and the Buffalo Sports Premier League.

His team face the seemingly hapless Surfers Paradise at Lex Bell Oval and the form book prediction is a comfortable away win for United. However, the longer Surfers’ winless streak goes on, the more likely it is to end and Kalaba will be aware of the threat the law of averages poses in this one.

If Keith Garland’s side can match the physical aspect of United’s game they have every chance of taking at least a point, but it’s wins they need to kick-start their survival quest.

Fellow strugglers Coomera are likely to have to wait another week before they enjoy their slice of good fortune with a tough home game against the swashbuckling Gold Coast Knights.

The Knights have swept the opposition aside in their last three outings in both cup and league, scoring a hatful of goals in the process. John Stewart’s men have both steel and swagger and should be too strong for even the most determined Coomera display.

Steve Beever’s most pressing headache for his Coomera side will be how to stop the Knights continuing their goalscoring exploits, a feat that none have managed recently.

Musgrave will see their home game with Mudgeeraba as an opportunity to get back on the rails after losing their unbeaten record in the Buffalo Sports Premier League last week.

Oscar Langone demanded more bite from his team and his players duly obliged despite going down narrowly to Broadbeach Utd. More of the same on Saturday should be enough to see off Mudgeeraba who are yet to find their groove this term and are worryingly out of form.

Also looking for some much-needed form are Nerang who need to end a run of three consecutive defeats if they are to mount any kind of challenge for the top four places. Their task will not be an easy one with a wounded Palm Beach their opponents in round 7.

Palm Beach coach Adem Poric will be hoping his injury table is lighter this time around after only managing a point against relegation threatened Surfers Paradise last Saturday.

Round 7 Fixtures: 

Ladder: Burleigh Heads 12, Gold Coast Knights 12, Magic Utd 12, Musgrave 11, Palm Beach 8, Broadbeach Utd 7, Mudgeeraba 4, Nerang 4, Coomera 3, Surfers Paradise 2.

PREMIER LEAGUE FORM GUIDE

Broadbeach Utd – W L D L * W

Burleigh Heads – W W * L W W

Coomera – L L D D * D

Gold Coast Knights – L W  * W W W

Magic United – W L W       W W L

Mudgeeraba – L L * W L D

Musgrave – W W D D  W L

Palm Beach – W W * D L D

Nerang – L W D L L L

Surfers Paradise – L L L D L D

* Denotes postponed match