Round 19 of the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League will have a huge bearing on the shape of the top four.
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Saturday’s Strathdale versus Epsom blockbuster and Sunday’s Shepparton derby between Shepparton South and Shepparton United are two of the most important home and away fixtures of the season.
With four rounds remaining, the most pressure is on Strathdale ahead of its home game with Epsom at Beischer Park.
The fifth-placed Blues are behind Epsom on goal difference and they’ve played an extra game.
An Epsom win and a Shepparton United victory over Shepparton South would put a severe dent in the Blues’ top-four hopes.
In Strathdale’s favour is its form against the top teams.
The Blues outplayed Epsom 4-2 in round eight, defeated league leader Eaglehawk 2-0 and didn’t drop a point in two games with Shepparton United.
In contrast, Epsom only has a win over Shepparton United to its credit.
Second-placed Shepparton South can go a long way to sealing the double chance for the finals if it defeats Shepparton United on Sunday.
South is four points clear of United and has a game in hand.
Eaglehawk is just one point clear of Shepparton South at the top of the table, but the Hawks do have a game in hand.
The Borough is back on home turf on Sunday for a potential danger game against a Shepparton side which held Strathdale to a 2-2 draw last week.
Eaglehawk did hand Shepparton a 5-1 drubbing in round eight and Truscott Reserve is a fortress for the home side.
In other games, Spring Gully hosts Colts United at Stanley Avenue and Tatura is at home to Moama-Echuca Border Raiders.
In the women’s championship, the match of the round is the Shepparton derby on Sunday.
Championship favourite Shepparton United will be out for revenge against the only team to defeat it this year – Shepparton South.
United and ladder leader Epsom are locked on 39 points, but United has a game in hand and a superior goal difference. Epsom is away to Strathdale on Saturday. The Scorpions scraped home 4-3 against the Blues in round eight.
Fourth-placed Moama and fifth-placed Eaglehawk both have the bye this round.
Sixth-placed Colts United must defeat Spring Gully on Sunday to keep its very faint finals hopes alive.
The battle to avoid the wooden spoon could be decided on Sunday when Swan Hill hosts Golden City. Swan Hill holds a one-point advantage over the Rams and a victory on Sunday would make it very tough for City to reel it in.
