A VICTORY League double header at KGV tomorrow will see fifth placed Devonport City play sixth placed Kingborough Lions and Launceston City take on ladder leaders South Hobart.
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Devonport coach Nick Owen said the side's composure and shape was a big focus this week after Northern Rangers came back from 4-0 in the 60th minute to score three goals and almost snatch a point at Valley Road.
The Strikers have a couple of injury concerns with last week's debutant Beau Blizzard out with a sore knee and Dallas Baldock uncertain with a hamstring strain.
"Mitchell Blake and Bradley Chilcott will replace these two and we will be looking at bringing a youthful bench with at least two who haven't yet experienced the Victory League," Owen said
Kingborough coach Stephen Pitchford said last round's surprise win against Tilford Zebras was a huge improvement on previous weeks as the players rose to the challenges put to them.
"This week's encounter with Devonport will see different challenges with an opponent that plays a much more physical and direct brand of football," he said.
"The players are keen to show that they can adapt to different opponents whilst maintaining our own attacking brand of football."
After getting beaten 6-2 by the bottom side last week, Launceston City could be in for a torrid time against the reigning champions South Hobart.
Coach Kurt Reynolds was disappointed with the loss and blamed changes to the side's playing system which was not executed well.
"South Hobart are in good form and continue their status as the benchmark in Tasmania," Reynolds said. "They have only conceded five goals thus far - we have conceded 27, that might be interesting."
Captain Nathan Bartlett and defender Chris Hill will serve a one- match suspension after getting sent off last week and two more players are unavailable with study commitments.
"We will need to dig deep into our squad of 20 and beyond for this round. I have great belief in the player group."
South coach Ken Morton said his side would not underestimate City and keep playing attacking soccer.
"I am not sure what to expect from City, they have been a little inconsistent but on their day and at their best, they will be a formidable opponent," Morton said.
The winner from the Northern Rangers v Olympia game will go to second outright.
Todd Hingston and Ryan McCarragher are back in the line-up, replacing Ayden Demeijer and Josh Burk who were out injured.
Coach Tim Lunnon said the match was vital to both clubs.
"No doubt Olympia will come to play and we need to rise to that challenge," he said. "Last season Rangers only won at home once all season, we have won twice so far and it is important that we make it hard for travelling teams."
Bottom placed Glenorchy Knights play Tilford Zebras tonight. A win to Knights would see them get off the bottom if South beats Launceston City while a win to Zebras is needed to keep them in touch with the top four.
WEEKEND ROUND: TONIGHT: Glenorchy Knights v Tilford Zebras at KGV (8pm).TOMORROW: Kingborough Lions v Devonport City at KGV (2pm); South Hobart v Launceston City at KGV (4.15pm); Northern Rangers v Olympia FC at NTCA (3pm).
