Round 21 Preview – PS4 NPL NSW Men’s

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It’s round 21 in the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition and with two weeks to go there is still plenty on the line.

Sydney Olympic is in pole position for fifth position and the final playoff spot but Bonnyrigg and Parramatta FC still cling to hope.

Wollongong and Blacktown Spartans are fighting to avoid the dreaded Wooden spoon, while Rockdale will be desperately trying to end its horror run.

Match of the round this week features a big clash at Seymour Shaw with Sydney Olympic taking on traditional rivals the Rockdale City Suns in a late kick off on Sunday at 7pm.

Match of the Round

Sydney Olympic FC v Rockdale City Suns FC, Sunday 7pm at Seymour Shaw Park

At the start of the season Sydney Olympic was written off by many as a finals calibre side.

This weekend Grant Lee’s side has a chance of not only confirming their place in the finals but also leapfrogging Rockdale into fourth position.

Olympic has been a gritty competitor this season and it has paid off for the Belmore based side.

Expect to see that same hard work and determination on the field this week against Rockdale.

Rockdale’s season has taken a nosedive over the past month with only two points to show from its last five matches.

Paul Reid’s side know they must find form if they are to pose any threat come finals time, or even make the post season at all.

Sutherland Sharks v Blacktown Spartans, Saturday 6.30pm at Seymour Shaw

Sutherland has found new life over the second half of the season and have proven to be one of the toughest teams to beat in recent weeks.

Carlos Villazon’s fast and attacking style has been picked up by the players after many early season struggles and they are surprisingly still in with a long shot of playing finals football.

This week they face bottom of the table side Blacktown Spartans and need a win to keep their zero to hero dream alive in 2016.

Blacktown was extremely unlucky last week in their 1-0 loss to local rivals Blacktown CIty.

It was a mostly composed performance but one moment of madness cost Ben de Haan’s side once again.

They will be looking to end their horror season on a high.

Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Hakoah Sydney City East, Saturday 7pm at Bonnyrigg Sports Club

Brian Brown’s Bonnyrigg side is clinging onto hope for a finals berth and must win its final two games to stand a chance of leapfrogging Sydney Olympic into fifth spot.

A 4-1 loss to Sydney United 58 and a 1-1 catch-up match draw against Parramatta FC last week has not helped the White Eagles but all hope is not lost.

Hakoah Sydney CIty East is the team looking to kill off Bonnyrigg’s season.

Coming to the end of their first season in the NSW top flight, Hakoah will be determined to end its season on a high.

Expect Bonnyrigg to race out of the blocks with Hakoah happy to sit back and wait for its moment on the counter.

Parramatta FC v Wollongong Wolves, Saturday 7pm at Sydney United Sports Centre

Parramatta FC host Wollonong on Saturday night with nothing less than victory enough for Franco Cosentino’s men.

Parramatta was in prime position to secure fifth on the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition ladder only weeks ago but are now desperately fighting to keep their season alive.

Parramatta defeated Hakaoh last weekend and go into this match with momentum behind them.

For Wollongong the fear of relegation has become a dark cloud over the squad and victory would be a vital confidence booster ahead of the final round next week.

An FFA Cup clash against A-League Side Sydney FC on August 10 is also in the back of coach Jacob Timpano’s mind and a number of Wollongong’s stars could be possibly rested.

Sydney United 58 v Manly United, Sunday 5:45pm at Sydney United Sports Centre

The hard work is not over yet for the newly crowned 2016 PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition Premiers Sydney United 58. 

Mark Rudan’s side has their sights set on the finals and a historic Waratah Cup, Championship and Premiership treble.

Manly United know Sunday’s match is very likely not the last time they will have to face off against the Reds and will be out to prove a point.

Manly’s domination of APIA last week was another three points in the bag for Paul Dee’s side who have been almost unstoppable during the second half of the season.

Both teams know how to find the back of the net but as was the case when the two sides faced off in a cagey Waratah Cup Final, could be willing to sit back and wait for their opposition to make the first mistake.

Sydney United 58 will be presented with the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition Premiership Trophy on Sunday in front of their passionate supporters.

Watch out for a Manly side determined to ruin the party.

Blacktown City FC v APIA Leichhardt Tigers, Sunday 3pm at Lily’s Football Centre

With Sydney United 58 wrapping up the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition Premiership last round, Blacktown City can move their focus to the finals and a potential second Championship title in three years.

Mark Crittenden’s side is roaring back to the peak of its powers as was demonstrated in their 6-2 FFA Cup demolition of Sydney United last week.

In Round 21 they host APIA Leichhardt and Blacktown’s prolific attack could be in for a field day against the at times porous Tigers defence.

APIA leaked four against Manly last week after taking an early lead and could be in for another drubbing if they are not careful.

The Tigers have shown flashes of brilliance this season and on their day can push any team in the competition.