It's up to the rest to stay in touch with Devonport Strikers

Photo:  Launceston City's American import, Mason Smith, could prove a handful for Glenorchy Knights. [PlessPix]

NPL Tasmania league-leaders and reigning champions Devonport Strikers should have few problems in overcoming bottom-side Launceston United at home at Valley Road tomorrow [Saturday].

Given that 3 points are almost certainly in the bag for the North-West Coast side, it will be up to the other teams in the top-four to win in order to ensure they stay in touch with the Strikers.

Second-placed Glenorchy Knights and third-ranked Launceston City are 4 points and 6 points adrift of Devonport, respectively, and so their clash at KGV park at 4.30pm tomorrow is probably the game-of-the-round.

City won 1-0 the last time the sides met at KGV Park, the goal coming in stoppage time.

Knights coach James Sherman will be sure to emphasise to his players the need to concentrate until the final whistle to avoid a repeat.

Knights will also need to make the most of their scoring chances, as will City, of course.

Both outfits have players capable of finding the net, but they must be more clinical with their finishing than in some recent games.

South Hobart must beat Clarence Zebras away at Wentworth Park at 2.30pm tomorrow if they are to keep their faint hopes of the title alive.

Both these teams tend to run hot or cold and so this could be a close game tomorrow.

South led Kingborough 3-0 at half-time last weekend before falling a heap in the second half and just hanging on for a 3-2 win.

Clarence Zebras appeared on course for a draw against Devonport, but a lapse in concentration in stoppage time cost them the game.

Kingborough must be favoured to beat the visiting second-last placed Riverside Olympic at the neutral venue of South Hobart Oval at 2pm tomorrow.

But, the Lions are inconsistent and this must be a danger game for them.

Saturday schedule:

Kingborough Lions United v Riverside Olympic (South Hobart Oval, 2pm)

Clarence Zebras v South Hobart (Wentworth Park, 2.30pm)

Glenorchy Knights v Launceston City (KGV Park, 4.30pm)

Devonport Strikers v Launceston United (Valley Road, 4.30pm)

NPL Tasmania (As at 27 May 2023)

TEAM	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Devonport Strikers	8	7	1	0	25	7	22
Glenorchy Knights	8	6	0	2	15	3	18
Launceston City	8	5	1	2	16	9	16
South Hobart	8	4	2	2	18	11	14
Clarence Zebras	8	3	2	3	17	14	11
Kingborough Lions	8	3	0	5	23	19	9
Riverside Olympic	8	1	0	7	4	30	3
Launceston United	8	0	0	8	6	31	0