The NPL NSW Men’s competition is gearing up for an exciting mid-week of action as the competition gears closer towards the final third of the campaign.
Sydney FC vs Hills United FC
8:00pm, Tuesday 11 June, Rockdale Illinden Sports Centre
Sydney FC will take on Hills United FC as they look to build off a vital victory last weekend.
The Sky Blues picked up their third victory of the campaign to bounce off the bottom of the table, but still remain in relegation contention with Sutherland Sharks two points ahead in third-last.
However, they will be taking on Hills United, who have enjoyed two wins in their last five matches and are fighting to keep their distance from the relegation zone, currently sitting seven points clear.
If Sydney were to win, there would be just four points between Hills United and the Sky Blues, while a victory for the away side would extend their gap of safety.
It is a pivotal match in the fight to remain in the NPL Men’s NSW competition and will be a must-watch match-up as the lone Tuesday night encounter.
Western Sydney Wanderers FC vs Central Coast Mariners FC
7:00pm, Wednesday 12 June, Wanderers Football Park
The Western Sydney Wanderers will be looking to rebound from a 3-2 loss to Rockdale Illinden in Round 18 when taking on the Central Coast Mariners on Wednesday night.
The Wanderers put up a mightily impressive performance against the league leaders last weekend but went down 3-2 to see the gap between them and the summit extend to four points.
On the other hand, the Mariners are struggling down the wrong end of the ladder, currently five points into the bottom two.
A victory for them is unlikely in this clash, but could be transformational for their season in giving them a chance to jump off the bottom of the ladder and gain momentum for the back-end of the campaign.
Marconi Stallions FC vs Sydney Olympic FC
7:30pm, Wednesday 12 June, Marconi Stadium
The Marconi Stallions will be looking to rebound from a shock defeat to NWS Spirit when taking on Sydney Olympic in an exciting mid-week match.
Marconi were one of five of the top six to lose their most recent game, as they remained in fifth spot in the ladder, missing a chance to jump up with a 1-0 defeat to Spirit.
Sydney Olympic, meanwhile, played an integral role in the top sixes demise in round 18, defeating Sydney United 58 1-0 thanks to a first-half strike from Roy O’Donovan.
Olympic will be looking towards their talisman for goals once again for this exciting clash, as both sides seek an important three points over their rivals.
Blacktown City FC vs Manly United FC
7:30pm, Wednesday 12 June, Landen Stadium
Blacktown City will be looking to rebound from a shock defeat to the Sutherland Sharks last round when taking on an in-form Manly United on Wednesday night.
The home side for this match suffered their second loss in five games with the defeat, with the likes of Danny Choi, Joey Gibbs and Mitchell Mallia unable to conjure anything against a resolute Sutherland side.
Life won’t be getting easier for Blacktown either, as they face off against Manly United, who are unbeaten in their last five matches, with their most recent 1-0 win over APIA Leichhardt the highlight.
With Manly’s Connor Rose and Peter Kekeris continuing to threaten in recent weeks, this will be an exciting, attacking match as both sides look to surge on.
Sydney United 58 FC vs NWS Spirit FC
7:30pm, Wednesday 12 June, Sydney United Sports Centre
Sydney United 58 will take on NWS Spirit in an exciting match at Sydney United Sports Centre to continue a wrath of Wednesday fixtures.
The home side for this match will be looking towards their creative hub in Shunta Nakamura to help steer them back into form, having picked up just one victory in their last five matches.
NWS Spirit, on the other hand, have more than doubled their victory tally in their last five games, picking up three to extend their win column from two to five.
With the away side in fine form, they’ll be more than up for this battle as they seek to prove their quality against a United 58 side at risk of dropping out of the top six.
Wollongong Wolves FC vs Sutherland Sharks FC
7:30pm, Wednesday 12 June, Albert Butler Memorial Park
Wollongong Wolves will be aiming to continue their mid-season renaissance when taking on Sutherland Sharks at home this Wednesday.
The Wolves have picked up two major victories over direct top-six rivals in the last two games, backing up a stunning come from behind victory over Sydney United 58 with a 2-0 win over seventh placed St George FA last weekend.
They sit now just four points off a finals place, and will be looking to brush aside a Sutherland Sharks side who scored an impressive 2-0 win of their own against Blacktown City in round 18.
Mitchell Stamatellis will be key for the Sharks with his defensive efforts and composure on and off the ball – as demonstrated by his cooly-taken penalty against Blacktown, with individuals from both teams set to light up Albert Butler Memorial Park on Wednesday night.
APIA Leichhardt FC vs St George City FA
7:45pm, Wednesday 12 June, Lambert Park
APIA Leichhardt’s Men’s team will make their long-awaited return to Lambert Park for the first time in the NPL Men’s NSW season with an exciting clash against St George City on Wednesday night.
The home side for this match suffered a shock defeat to Manly United last round to bring a six-game unbeaten league run to an end, and will be desperate to retaliate with three points here to remain in contention for the Premiership.
St George City have motivations of their own, however, as they aim to push finally push themselves into the top six, and will be confident having picked up a 1-0 win against this week’s opponents earlier in the season.
With both sides well-coached and playing fantastic attacking football, this could turn into a classic match for neutrals who love the beautiful game.
St George FC vs Rockdale Illinden FC
8:00pm, Wednesday 12 June, Rockdale Illinden Sports Centre
The mid-week action will conclude with St George FC and Rockdale Illinden in another match with the potential for great football and great excitement.
St George have gone four matches without a win, and will be desperate to prove their quality against top of the ladder Rockdale Illinden after their defeat to Sydney FC last Friday.
Troy Danaskos – their captain – will be a key player with his defensive strength and attacking threat from left-back, having scored an impressive five goals this season, including three in his last five matches.
Rockdale Illinden are officially the most in-form side in the league, having won their last six league matches in a row.
They are sitting pretty with four points to spare at the top of the ladder, but will require another victory on Wednesday night to keep APIA and the Wanderers at a comfortable distance.
However, three points against St George is no easy task, and this match will have plenty of spark and fire in a fitting conclusion to the mid-week round.
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2024 Golden Boot Tally
16 – Alec Urosevski (Rockdale Illinden)
15 – Jak O’Brien (Blacktown City)
13 – Ben Gibson (APIA Leichhardt)
13 – Nathanael Blair (Western Sydney Wanderers)
11 – Roy O’Donovan (Sydney Olympic)
10 – Luka Symth (Central Coast Mariners)
10 – Takumi Ofuka (Wollongong Wolves)
9 – Marko Jesic (Marconi Stallions)
8 – Adam Bugarija (Western Sydney Wanderers)
8 – Patrick Antelmi (Sydney United 58)
By Jack George (@JackGeorge0004)
