Round 8 Preview – NPL NSW Men’s

It’s time for Round 8 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition and things are heating up with a new league leader.

APIA Leichhardt took the top spot after a strong Round 7 display and Blacktown City broke Sydney FC’s unbeaten run with three goals in ten minutes, stirring up some big chances in the competition ahead of what’s set to be an exciting Round 8 on all fronts.

Wollongong Wolves FC v Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC

7:30pm, Friday 22nd April, WIN Stadium

After getting their first win of the 2022 season in Round 7, Mt Druitt Town Rangers will be hoping to build some momentum as they head down to Wollongong to open Round 8 of the NPL NSW Men’s competition.

Both with a game in hand, they sit just one point apart in the bottom three of the ladder.

As one of the league’s top scorers, Mt Druitt certainly have the potential to do some damage against the Wolves, especially as Wollongong have scored just over half the amount of goals.

The Rangers’ 18 goals conceded is double that of Wollongong, whose tight defence has done little to help them get ahead in the league as they head into Round 8 with three consecutive losses.

Fumoto Kamada was a standout for Mt Druitt and will be one to watch in this clash after his Team of the Week selection.

Both sides will be eager to salvage their season, it’s set to be an entertaining battle.

You can be sure Luke Wilkshire’s men will be battling hard to get back to winning ways with the likes of Lachlan Scott, Josh Macdonald and Leroy Jennings hoping to fire.

Will Mt Druitt be able to continue to turn around their season or will Wollongong get the lift they so desperately need?

Sutherland Sharks FC v Rockdale Ilinden FC

3:30pm, Saturday 23rd April, Seymour Shaw

Rockdale Ilinden have established themselves as real contenders in this year’s competition in the past few rounds in particular, without a loss since Round 1.

With two consecutive wins heading into this match, Ilinden will be a force to be reckoned with as they head into the Sharks territory on Saturday afternoon.

The Sharks have struggled in recent rounds, with three consecutive losses heading into Round 8.

While Sutherland have been able to net 12 goals this season, they’ve conceded 17 – something they will need to work on as they face up against a fiery Rockdale attacking line spearheaded by Alec Urosevski.

Urosevski featured in this week’s Team of the Week, while a 3-0 loss to league leaders APIA saw Sutherland without any representation.

Will Sutherland be able to use the home advantage to silence an in-form Rockdale or will the visitors be able to stay safe in the shark-infested waters?

Marconi Stallions FC v Sydney United FC

7:00pm, Saturday 23rd April, Marconi Stadium

Marconi have put on some impressive performances in recent weeks but haven’t been able to convert their chances leaving them without a win in five games.

The return of Thomas James from injury gave home fans a beacon of hope as the strong forward line looked poised to wreak havoc on the competition, but despite impressive attacking talent, the Stallions have struggled to find the winning form they need.

Taylor McDonald and Nenad Vekic both featured in the Round 7 Team of the Week, showcasing the talent in their defence, however they’ll need to bring their A-game all over the park if they want to defeat Sydney United 58.

Coming off the back of a big 3-0 loss to Sydney Olympic with a red card to Yianni Fragogiannis in the final moments of the match, United 58 will need to use this clash to get back on track.

Inconsistency has plagued United 58 in the start of the competition and while they have shown their potential, they have struggled at times.

This match is historically a fiery feature and this Saturday promises a lot of entertainment as the two Western Sydney sides go into battle as they look to find a win they both need to get on track for the season they have the potential for.

Northbridge Bulls FC v APIA Leichhardt FC

3:00pm, Sunday 24th April, Sydney United Sports Centre

It’ll be top against bottom in this clash on Sunday evening as Northbridge Bulls look to cause a huge upset in the competition and secure only their second win of the season.

The hosts will be looking to tighten up their defence in this match against a dangerous APIA side as their league-leading 21 goals conceded has made it nearly impossible to get points so far this season.

Having already pulled off a big upset against Sydney United 58, Northbridge have shown they have the ability to match up against the stalwarts of the league, but it will be a big task against an in-form Leichhardt side.

APIA, who have lost only two games this season, are coming off a convincing win over Sutherland where they demonstrated the strength they have all over the park.

Themba Muata-Marlow has been a huge player for APIA this year and featured in the Round 7 Team of the Week alongside back-line teammate Walter Scott.

The two have made it difficult for most teams this season and will cause a headache for the young and ambitious forward line of Northbridge Bulls.

Will the youngsters be able to pull off a major upset or will the league leaders stay on top?

Sydney FC v Sydney Olympic FC

4:30pm, Sunday 24th April, Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre

Second and third matchup this week at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre this week as Sydney Olympic look to continue their winning ways against a depleted Sydney FC.

Sydney FC are missing some fire power after losing several usual starters to the senior squad currently playing in the AFC Asian Champions League.

Adrian Segecic, Patrick Wood, Corey Hollman, Jake Girdwood-Reich, Clayton Taylor and Adam Pavlesic were all absent from the squad when the young sky blues fell to Blacktown City at the weekend – their first loss all season.

Jaiden Kucharksi and Zac Sapsford were strong for Sydney FC as usual in their loss to Blacktown City and will likely be the stars when they line up against Olympic.

Olympic had Roy O’Donovan and Michael Glassock in the Round 7 Team of the Week after a 3-0 defeat of Sydney United 58 and will be key to Olympic’s chances of taking down Sydney FC.

After a perfect start to the season, will Sydney FC get back to their incredible form or will Sydney Olympic secure their fourth in a row as they climb up the ladder?

Blacktown City FC v Manly United FC

5:00pm, Sunday 24th April, Blacktown City Sports Centre

In the Round 8 Match of the Round Blacktown City will host Manly United on Sunday evening.

With two wins and a draw from their last three matches, Blacktown City are gaining some momentum and will be using it as they look to take down the Northern Beaches outfit.

The midfield strength of both teams will likely be the shining light of the match after imports Bruno Mendes and Hirokai Ayoyama both featured in the Team of the Week for their clubs after impressive showings in Round 7.

A Lucas Rainbird screamer against Marconi put the Manly United young gun on the map but the incredible feat will be hard for the 21-year-old to replicate.

Manly United are unbeaten from their last four games and will be chasing a fifth as they head out west and look to jump up the league ladder with a big win.

It’s certain to be an entertaining match between these two and Mark Crittenden and Adam Griffiths will be using their high-calibre tactical methodology to make what should be a quality game of football.

A must-see for any football fan, this match is anyone’s game.