Round two of the Mainland Premier League has some interesting match ups. In the early game Universities host Nelson Suburbs at Ilam Fields at midday, then in what looks to be the game of the round, neighbours Cashmere Technical and Coastal Spirit clash at English Park at 4pm. At the same time in another derby game Nomads entertain FC Twenty11 at Tullett Park with Selwyn squaring off against Ferrymead Bays at Foster Park.

Suburbs while be looking to make it back-to-back wins on the road when they take on Universities. Suburbs were untroubled when accounting for FC Twenty11 in the opening round will welcome back a handful of players from the Tasman United ISPS Handa Premiership squad,  which will give Suburbs more depth to their squad this season with Englishman, Jordan Yong likely to make an impression upfront when he makes his MPL debut. Universities are currently in a rebuilding phase and will go into the game against the early table toppers as underdogs.

Head to Head – Played 14: Universities 3 wins, Draws 1, Suburbs 10 wins

Form: Universities - L                      Suburbs - W

Technical and Coastal, both unbeaten in the opening round resume their rivalry which has seen some intense games in recent season years with Coastal lifting the Hurley Shield the last time the two met with another tight contest is likely.

Head to Head – Played 18: Technical 14 wins, Draws 2, Coastal    2 wins

Form: Technical - W                        Coastal - W

Both Nomads and FC Twenty11 will be chasing their first points of the season when they met in the North West Derby. Both sides have a number of new players to the MPL this season and will be looking to build over the coming weeks.

Head to Head – Played 6: Nomads 1 win, Draws 2, FC 3 wins

Form: Nomads - L                             FC Twenty11 - L

Selwyn will still be gutted on seeing their first MPL points disappear in the final minutes, conceding late goals to lose against Coastal in the opening round and face another test when they face current title holders Ferrymead Bays. Before their late capitulation against Coastal, Selwyn showed they were comfortable in matching it in the MPL and will want to compete against Bays for the entire 90 minutes, while Bays will be looking for maximum points before going into their Easter Weekend double header against Technical and Coastal.

Head to Head – This is the first time the two clubs have met in the MPL

Form: Selwyn - L                                               Bays – W

WPL Season Kicks-off at English Park.

The Mainland Women's Premier League kicks off on Saturday – both games to be played at English Park - with five teams contesting the championship this season, after both Tasman United and FC Twenty11 withdrew their teams, but Halswell United – winner of the Development League last season - being promoted back into the top flight for the first time since the 2013 season. The Hawks will join Cashmere Technical, Coastal Spirit, Universities and Waimakariri playing over 15 rounds for the 2018 title. Three of the clubs will have coaches making their WPL debuts, Tyler Logan at Technical, Jimmy Small at Coastal, and Cory Vickers at Halswell.

The opening round sees Halswell facing Universities in the midday kick-off at English park, followed at 2pm when Coastal take on Technical at the same venue, while Waimak have the bye.

Halswell have had top-three finishes in the past in the WPL, but it will take time for their team, - which is their winning PDL squad from last season - to adjust to the faster pace of the top league. Universities, who finished at the foot of the table last season welcome back several former players including Lee Maoate-Cox - a Cook Island international - and Rachel Brodie, who has already a WPL winners medal with FC Twenty11 in 2011,  will strengthen the students this season.

Head to Head: Played 14: Halswell 10 wins, Draws 2, Universities 2 wins

Coastal and Cashmere Technical are the table-topping sides from recent seasons, and this juicy looking battle is likely to be another tight tussle between the neighbouring sides. 

Coastal - like all the WPL squads - has benefitted from FC’s departure and have picked up young defender, Eleanor Firth, but aside from this acquisition will field a familiar looking side. Tech’s side will likely see debuts for Blair Currie between the sticks, moving from Waimak United, and Frankie Morrow from FC, but like their opposition, have a stable look to their line-up. On the turf at English Park, and with the men’s match-up following, expect a raucous crowd.    

Head to Head: Played 18 - Coastal 12 wins, Draws 2, Technical 4 wins

Don't Forget to tune into Sky Sport at 2pm on Sunday, as the DRAGONS take on Team Wellington in the Semi-Final of the ISPS HANDA Premiership...#FIREUP #TWvCU