It is Round 6 of the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition and things are starting to get serious.
Blacktown City’s five game win streak has the Seven Hills based side in top spot but any slip ups and the chasing pack will be ready to pounce.
A log jam of teams in the middle of the table means every point could make a massive difference as the battle for finals places heats up.
Match of the Round
Hakoah Sydney City East v Blacktown City FC, 7pm Saturday at Hensley Athletic Field
Saturday’s clash may pit the top of the table against the bottom but by no means will Blacktown City’s trip to Hakoah Sydney City East be a foregone conclusion.
Mark Robertson’s Hakoah side has shown moments of brilliance this season and will need to bring out its best if its to end Blacktown’s incredible start to the season.
Blacktown City shouldn’t underestimate their opposition or it could be an upset in the making.
It was be a big test for the New Kids on the Block as they look set to give it their all against the current in-form team of the competition.
Blacktown Spartans v Sydney United 58, 7pm Saturday at Blacktown Football Park
Sydney United 58 has been kept out of the limelight by Blacktown City but Mark Rudan’s side has been arguably the more impressive side during the past month.
A run of four straight league wins including three straight clean sheets goes to show why United 58 is shaping up as a legitimate title contender in 2016.
The horrendous home ground form of Blacktown Spartans has been an intriguing sub plot this season with Ben De Haan’s side yet to notch a win on its own soil despite being undefeated on the road.
While the Spartans posses a talented young side, Blacktown’s hopes of finals football will be nothing more than a dream if they are unable to win in front of their own fans.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Sutherland Sharks, 7pm Saturday at Bonnyrigg Sports Club
Bonnyrigg had three points stolen from under its nose last weekend against Blacktown City and will be desperate to bounce back against Sutherland.
James Chronopoulous has displayed why he is one of the competition’s best shot stoppers and against a slick Sharks attach the Bonnyrigg goal keeper will need to be at his best.
Sutherland has been all style and no substance at times this season but head coach Carlos Villazon is confident he can help his side find the winning edge.
Like all games featuring Sutherland, Saturday’s match is set to have plenty of highlights.
Parramatta FC v Sydney Olympic, 7pm at Melita Stadium
A return to familiar territory could be exactly what Franco Consentino’s Parramatta FC needs to stop its skid of four straight losses.
A run of good performances could soon turn into wins for the Melita Stadium based side.
Grant Lee’s Olympic side has been a tough competitor from the opening rounds and it is sure to continue this week.
Look out for a big bounce back performance from city after last week’s 3-0 loss to Sydney United 58 FC.
Rockdale City Suns v APIA Leichhardt Tigers, 5pm Sunday at Ilinden Sports Centre
Paul Reid’s Rockdale City Suns are sure to be in the mix come finals time if its start to the season is anything to go by.
The Suns are third on the table after five rounds only five points behind top spot.
A win against a struggling APIA outfit would keep the momentum going for Rockdale ahead of a run of huge matches.
APIA is in desperate need of a win after what has been a sluggish start to the year.
With only one win from five games, APIA will need to turn its season around quick if it is to live up to its pre season billing as a premiership threat.
Wollongong Wolves v Manly United FC, 5pm Sunday at WIN Stadium
Wollongong returned to the winners circle last week and will be out to make it two wins in two weeks when Manly travels south for the battle of the beaches.
Manly sit only one point ahead of Wollongong on the table in fourth spot so the pressure will be on both teams to perform.
Brendan Cholakian and Dejan Pandurevic will be the go to men for United while Nicholas Bernal from Wollongong will be responsible for finding the back of the net for the Wolves.
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