- Queensland Lions SC have won three of their last five matches against Rochedale Rovers in all competitions, including a 4-0 victory in June 2024.
- Queensland Lions are unbeaten in their last five NPL Queensland 2026 games.
Lions can roar to a convincing win against struggling Rovers
Queensland Lions SC and Rochedale Rovers will face off in NPL Queensland on Sunday with the hosts bidding to consolidate their place in the finals with another three points while the visitors will be desperately seeking points to keep them from slipping down the table.
The Lions are enjoying a fine season in 2026, sitting in second place on the NPL Queensland table with 29 points from 13 games and a goal difference of +22. Darren Sime's side are strong title contenders if they can maintain their current form.
Sime's tactics are based around his teams controlling possession and pressing the opposition at a high tempo, with a high defensive line and full-backs that provide width in the attack. Jackson Hart-Phillips and Tommy Jarrad are a solid platform at the back while creative spark can be provided by Mitchell Flinn Hore and Rahmat Akbari.
Leading the line, however, is Alex Fiechtner, who has the lethal touch of a true number nine.
Rochedale Rovers have played good football at times this year, but poor defensive performances have seen them stuck in 9th place in the NPL Queensland with only 11 points and a -14 goal difference. Scott MacNicol's side have a very different approach to the game, aiming to absorb pressure by keeping a compact block and hitting the Lions on the break with vertical passes and pace.
Rochedale have been inconsistent all season, as shown by results such as a 6-0 home win over Capalaba and a 4-0 away win over Magic United, but then a 0-2 home defeat to Peninsula Power. Obren Kljajić and Greg Cheshire have been key in recent high-scoring victories, but neither has the individual quality of Lions' Fiechtner.
Queensland Lions to dominate the ball and the match
The odds are stacked against Rochedale Rovers for this game as the Lions are heavy favourites at 1.16 and the visitors are major underdogs at 9.75, with the draw available at 7.2. Both teams to score is likely at 1.57, so over 2.5 goals at 1.21 seems the better option for an alternative bet.
Queensland Lions have dominated this fixture in recent times and have a much better record than Rochedale Rovers this year. Their possession-based game should suit the dry, sunny conditions in Brisbane this weekend and we predict an entertaining affair in which the Lions can dominate and secure a comfortable win.