Another big week of NPLW action is upon us, read our preview of all the matches below!
Preston Lions v Bayside United
8:15 pm, Friday 19 May, B.T. Connor Reserve
Bayside impressed with a draw against Alamein on Saturday afternoon, and Preston also shared the points with Bulleen on Monday night.
Preston remains the equal-defensive side in the league and once the mid-season signing window opened they became even stronger.
The Lions signed wing-back Kaitlyn Torpey and defender Emma Checker from Melbourne City, with Checker making an immediate impact last week, making the Round 9 Team of the Week (TOTW).
Preston's defence will be tested once again this week when they come up against the Bayside attack of Miwa Sasaki (5 goals), Kayla Deaver (4 goals), and Julia Budiongo (2 goals).
Bayside has had the best rate of possession of any team in the league this season but will be without Elsa Sousa this week after picking up a red card against Alamein.
Preston's Georgia Henderson had a great game last week against Bulleen in the heart of midfield, making the Team of the Week (TOTW), while Miri Nishimura (4 goals) has been an attacking force for the Lions.
Bayside will need to ensure they don't give any fouls near the box this week as Preston has scored the most goals from free kicks this season. The Lions are just as dangerous in open play with Mel Camilleri (3 goals)
Bayside United FC has lost only one of their last five matches, while Preston has only lost one game for the season.
Can Bayside penetrate the Preston defence or will the Lions be too strong?
Alamein v Box Hill United
3:00 pm, Saturday, 20 May, Dorothy Laver West Reserve
Alamein was forced to settle for a draw against Bayside last week, while Box Hill had the bye.
Forwards Asuka Doi (5 goals)and Anais Josefski (4 goals) have been shining lights for Box Hill and will need to fire again if they are going to come to a close this weekend. The dangerous duo will likely line up against Alamein's Chinatsu Shidara and Estelle Bougias and will need to make the most of the limited opportunities they will receive.
Alamein's Sidney Allen has scored four goals and created 30+ scoring chances this season, the most of any player this season and will be hard to stop this week through the midfield alongside Molly Burke.
Sienna Techera is the main distributor through the Box Hill midfield - producing three assists this season and will play alongside Kanna Moriya in the midfield.
Forward Rebecca Saber will sit this week out after picking up a red card last weekend, but their attack is still potent with Savanna Anastasopoulos (3 goals) and Elaina Vatcky (2 goals) ready to strike.
Despite sitting second on the ladder, Alamein has gone winless in its past two matches, and Box Hill has gone eight weeks without a win since defeating Southern United in Round 2.
After suffering a disappointing loss last week, can Alamein recover or will Box Hill hand them back-to-back defeats?
South Melbourne v Southern United
4:00 pm, Saturday, 20 May, Lakeside Stadium
Southern United picked up its first points for the year with a draw against Emerging, while South Melbourne also had to settle for a draw against Calder United.
South Melbourne's offensive line may be too much to handle for their opponents this week. Captain Danielle Wise (4 goals) was outstanding last week without getting a reward on the scoreboard, while winger Tayla Christensen (4 goals) has also been dangerous at times this season.
Midfielder Janna Lawson (3 goals in 2023) scored in the draw last week and will once again be a key playmaker for her side.
Yuka Sato (Round 9 TOTW) has been Southern's best player this season and will look to give her side the best chance at victory by controlling the midfield battle. Sato ranks among the top two players in the league for contested duels this season, with over 100+ in the first 9 rounds.
Southern United FC has scored exactly one goal in each of their last four matches as the away team, but life will be hard for their attacking players this week with defenders Leia Varley and Brianne Reed in terrific form, ranking among the top aerial duels won in the league.
After a spirited effort last week, can Southern United pull off a shock upset to claim its first win of the season?
Bulleen Lions v Calder United
4:00 pm, Saturday, 20 May, Veneto Club
In a rematch of the 2022 NPLW Final, Bulleen host Calder having only lost once in season 2023. A key part of Bulleen's success has been its defensive resolve. The Club has only conceded eight times so far, the equal best record in the league.
Experienced keeper Gaby Garton has been a rock in between the sticks, while Faith Stephenson's tackle success rate of 95% is the best of any player in the competition (min 18 tackles).
The Lions have proved hard to defeat, but four draws - including a 1-1 with Preston last week means the home side head into the contest in mid-table.
Calder head into the match having welcomed some returning stars during the registration window. Raquel Derales, Julia Sardo, Natasha Dakic and Alana Cerne are all back for the defending champs, with several of them appearing in last week's 1-1 draw with South Melbourne.
Montanna Matthews and Lucy Richards have been standouts this season and with the returning A-League talent coming back into the squad, Calder will be confident of surging up the table in the second half of the campaign.
Boroondara Eagles v FV Emerging
8:00 pm, Saturday, 20 May, Veneto Club
The Eagles head into the clash with FV Emerging having prevailed in a shootout last week. The 5-4 victory over Heidelberg was one of the matches of the season and Kurea Okino's 89th minute winner meant the Eagles claimed a sixth win in a row.
The highflying Eagles have had a brilliant campaign so far, Okino leading the way with a remarkable 14 goals. Remarkably, the strike was Okino's 14th goal of the season and Emerging will have to be at their absolute best to contain the striker.
Becky Lim was also among the goal scorers last week and has been a creative force with six assists.
Emerging have just the one win in eight to date, but five draws in that stretch proves the young guns are hard to beat.
Anika Dovaston has taken the next step in her development in 2023, with six assists to her name she has provided the spark for much of the side's forward play. Alana Cortellino has also found fine form forward of centre, notching her third goal in last week's 1-1 draw against Southern.
Knowing Boroondara's defence shipped four goals last week will give the duo plenty of confidence, likewise for Emilie Keppens who has five to her name so far.
On paper the match looks a tough ask for the young side, but if they can contain the Eagles' prolific attack an upset could be on the cards.