Round 11 Preview – NPL Men’s NSW

With the NPL Men’s NSW competition now a third of the way through, and the table continuing to shape, round 11 will be as important as ever.

Sutherland Sharks FC vs Manly United FC

4:30pm, Saturday 20 April, Seymour Shaw

Sutherland Sharks and Manly United will get the weekend’s action underway in a vital clash that depicts 3rd bottom against 2nd last on the ladder.

Sutherland have picked up four important points in their last two matches, defeating Hills United before drawing with Sydney FC last weekend.

Manly United, meanwhile, have lost their last four in a row, and currently sit two points off their rivals in Sutherland.

If Manly could pick up three points – which would be their first win of the season since round one – they would leapfrog Sutherland and escape the current relegation place, making this a classic, spicy six-pointer at Seymour Shaw.

St George FC vs Hills United FC

7:00pm, Saturday 20 April, Rockdale Illinden Sports Centre

St George FC will take on Hills United FC in another important clash, as the two sides meet for the first time since facing off as the top two in the FNSW League One Men’s competition.

St George secured another impressive draw last weekend at their home ground – taking a point from their game against the Wollongong Wolves.

However, whilst drawing their last two matches at home – against APIA Leichhardt and Wollongong – St George took 2-0 leads in both of those matches, before surrendering in the second half.

St George will be looking to nit two strong halves together – rather than just the first 45 – when taking on Hills United this weekend.

St George City FA vs Central Coast Mariners FC

7:15pm, Saturday 20 April, Penshurst Park

St George City FA will be looking to rebound from a deadly defeat to league leaders Western Sydney Wanderers when taking on bottom-of-the-ladder Central Coast Mariners this weekend.

In their match against the Wanderers, St George conceded 43% of their total goals conceded thus far in the NPL Men’s NSW competition, as they went down 6-1 to the highflying youth side.

They will be looking to make amends this weekend when taking on the Mariners, who have lost their last five matches in a row, with their most recent defeat coming at the hands of Blacktown City FC.

Sydney Olympic FC vs NWS Spirit FC

3:00pm, Sunday 21 April, Belmore Sports Ground

In one of four 3pm kickoff’s on Sunday afternoon, Sydney Olympic will take on NWS Spirit in an intriguing affair at Belmore Sports Ground.

Olympic fell flat against rivals Rockdale Illinden last weekend to bring to an end a run of three consecutive victories in the league.

However, veteran marksman Roy O’Donovan secured a brace, and with five goals in his last four matches, he will be one to watch for the weekend.

Sprit, meanwhile, have picked up two important wins in their last four matches to remain clear of the relegation zone.

With the side hungry to continue their strong form, Belmore is set to feature a game with the perfect mixture of intensity and quality to excite spectators and fans alike.

Sydney United 58 vs Marconi Stallions FC

3:00pm, Sunday 21 April, Sydney United Sports Centre

Sydney United 58 will take on Marconi Stallions FC in a thoroughly exciting matchup on Sunday afternoon.

United 58 have lost just one of their last seven matches – a narrow 2-1 defeat to Rockdale Illinden – and are coming off the back of an exceptional 5-1 thrashing of APIA Leichhardt.

Marconi Stallions, meanwhile, have won four of their last five matches, most recently defeating Manly United, with Daniel Bouman impressive with a goal and good performance for his side.

Two of the most in-form sides in the competition will face off this weekend in what is sent to be an exhilarating fixture at Sydney United Sports Centre.

Wollongong Wolves FC vs Sydney FC

3:00pm, Sunday 21 April, WIN Stadium

Wollongong Wolves and Sydney FC will both be searching for their first win in four matches when facing off at WIN Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Wollongong have struggled to replicate their sensational early season form, and despite leading the ladder at the end of round six, they have now slipped outside the top six.

Sydney FC, on the other hand, picked up an important point last weekend against Sutherland Sharks to bring to an end a tricky spell which saw them lose three in a row, including an 8-0 defeat to Blacktown City.

Both sides will have plenty to play for at WIN Stadium, with Wollongong looking for a route back into finals contention and Sydney looking to avoid slipping into a relegation spot at the bottom of the ladder.

Western Sydney Wanderers FC vs Blacktown City FC

3:00pm, Sunday 21 April, Wanderers Football Park

Western Sydney Wanderers and Blacktown City FC will go head to head in a mouthwatering clash as the two most in-form sides in the league battle it out at Wanderers Football Park.

The Wanderers have won their last seven matches on the bounce, and are currently four points clear at the top of the league.

This campaign, they have scored an astonishing average of 3.8 goals per match while conceding just over one a game.

However, they will be facing a mightily tough test in the form of Blacktown City, who are unbeaten in their last five matches.

With both sides having scored a combined total of 28 goals in both of their last three games, this is going to be a breathtaking clash, as Blacktown look to deny Wanderers three points and close the gap to the top of the ladder.

APIA Leichhardt FC vs Rockdale Illinden FC

4:30pm, Sunday 21 April, Leichhardt Oval

Another thrilling clash will conclude the weekend of action, as APIA Leichhardt take on Rockdale Illinden at Leichhardt Oval.

APIA, beyond looking to make up for being dismantled 5-1 by Sydney United 58 last weekend, will be desperate for three points in this fixture in looking to remain in touch with the top of the ladder.

The reigning Champions are currently eight points off the high-flying Wanderers in first and also find themselves currently out of reach of Rockdale in second.

If Rockdale emerges victorious on Sunday afternoon, they’ll extend the gap between them and rivals APIA to seven points, making this fixture an absolutely vital clash, and the perfect, exhilarating way to end round 11.

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By Jack George (@JackGeorge0004)