- Brisbane City sit 6th with 27 points from 18 matches, Rochedale are 9th with 15 points from 18 in NPL Queensland 2026.
- Brisbane City are undefeated in their last five all-competitions (0-0 at Gold Coast Knights, 1-1 at home to Brisbane Roar Youth, three consecutive NPL QLD victories), while Rochedale are in mixed form (1-2 to SD Raiders in Australia Cup, 4-1 win over Gold Coast Knights and 4-1 defeat to Brisbane Roar II in NPL QLD, 2-5 hammering by Moreton City).
- Brisbane City were 4-0 winners over Rochedale in the Queensland FFA Cup preliminary round and 8-0 winners in NPL QLD in 2024, but the most recent head-to-head was a 2-2 draw on 19 April 2026.
Crucial clash for both clubs
Brisbane City come into this match the better of the two teams, undefeated in their last five, but both of their recent draws came away at Gold Coast Knights (0-0) and at home to Brisbane Roar Youth (1-1). Peter Gaffney's press-happy, attack-minded side have been free-scoring recently, with youth injected and the pace of Brisbane City a problem for lesser teams in the division.
A lot of Rochedale's goals have come through the feet of Novak Kljajić, who is their spark and a threat at both ends of the field. The Australian has been scoring and creating in recent NPL Queensland games, including the 4-1 win over City's rivals Gold Coast Knights. Anton Alexeenko and Jardel Bob both score goals and add bite to Rochedale's play, getting on the scoresheet in that 4-1 win to give the hosts a threat from dead ball situations and on the break.
Daniel Varma's side play a more pragmatic, structured style, with compact defending and a desire to be dangerous on the counter. Rochedale need the home points to drag themselves out of the bottom half of the table, while Brisbane City need to keep the momentum going if they're to maintain their Finals push. Both teams have a lot to play for.
Back Brisbane City to edge a goal fest
The recent head-to-head between these clubs has swung Brisbane's way in recent seasons, but the 2-2 draw in April tells us that Rochedale can get close enough to cause an upset. The 2.7 about the hosts look attractive, but Brisbane's undefeated run and sixth place standing makes them the slight favourites here at 2.1.
We're taking Brisbane to edge a game that should be open and feature goals at both ends. Over 2.5 goals at 1.3 and both teams to score at 1.28 looks like a good combination here, with the Underwood Park conditions and possible showers set to make this a slippy and messy contest. Brisbane City's high-tempo, press-happy style will be a contrast to Rochedale's slow tempo, counter-punching method, so the midfield battle will be key.
Brisbane's proactive press will likely force Rochedale into errors in their build-up play, but it could also leave space for the home team to get in behind, so we're going for an away win with both teams on the scoreboard. Marcus Barnes is in killer form for City and scored a brace in their 5-2 NPL QLD win over Moreton City. Malakai Love-Semira can also be a problem in the final third and he, like Barnes, scored a pair in that game.
