Devonport should claim the NPL Tasmania title today and achieve the league and cup double
Devonport Strikers can sew up the NPL Tasmania title today [Saturday] by beating the visiting fifth-placed Launceston City at Valley Road at 2.15pm.
A win for the Strikers will put them on 49 points and, even if second-placed South Hobart win away to third-ranked Kingborough Lions United at 4.30pm at Clennett’s lightwood park on Sunday, Devonport would be beyond reach with just 3 games remaining.
The Strikers have beaten Launceston City in both their previous meetings this season - 4-0 at Valley Road, and 2-1 away at Buckby Motors Park.
The odds are in Devonport’s favour for this third meeting and it seems very likely that reigning champions Glenorchy Knights will relinquish their crown this afternoon.
Second place is at stake when the Lions entertain South Hobart on Sunday.
The Lions can leapfrog South Hobart by winning on Sunday.
Kingborough have had the edge over South Hobart this season, winning 1-0 at home and drawing 4-4 away.
This indicates a close contest is in store and the result could go either way.
South Hobart were leading Glenorchy Knights 4-0 at half-time last weekend before winning 5-3, which puts somewhat of a question mark over their defence.
Kingborough have been inconsistent at times, but with second place in view, they may just be spurred on to a winning performance.
Glenorchy Knights take on Clarence Zebras away at Wentworth Park at 4.30pm today and they will be desperate to win and retain their self-respect, especially if a Devonport win means they have relinquished the title.
Knights have won 2-1 and 4-0 in the two games between the sides this season so they will start as hot favourites.
Clarence Zebras have only pride to play for, but they will up against it against a determined Knights outfit.
The remaining game is the bottom-of-the-table clash at Windsor Park between last-placed Riverside Olympic and second-last Olympia Warriors.
Riverside can still avoid the wooden spoon and a win over Olympia would put them level on points with the visitors but still last on goal-difference.
It would be a significant step, however, and one which Olympia will be desperate to deny them.
NPL Tasmania Standings (As at 13 August 2022)
| TEAM | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts |
| Devonport Strikers | 17 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 57 | 10 | 46 |
| South Hobart | 17 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 57 | 16 | 36 |
| Kingborough Lions | 17 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 46 | 28 | 35 |
| Glenorchy Knights | 17 | 10 | 1 | 6 | 38 | 20 | 31 |
| Launceston City | 17 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 32 | 39 | 26 |
| Clarence Zebras | 17 | 4 | 2 | 11 | 30 | 41 | 14 |
| Olympia Warriors | 17 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 17 | 62 | 6 |
| Riverside Olympic | 17 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 9 | 71 | 3 |
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