Round 26 Preview – NPL Men’s NSW

With just five matches to go, each game is set to be as meaningful as ever in the NPL Men’s NSW competition with both the finals and relegation battles continuing to heat up.

Manly United FC vs Sutherland Sharks FC

7:30pm, Friday 26 July, Cromer Park

Manly United and Sutherland Sharks FC will jointly-open Round 25 when going head to head at Cromer Park on Friday night.

Manly are coming off a 1-0 loss to Marconi Stallions, while Sutherland Sharks’ last match ended in a 0-0 draw with fellow relegation rivals Sydney FC.

With Sutherland currently one of three bottom teams on 22 points, they will be playing intensely for a three points that could help secure another season as an NPL Men’s NSW club.

Sydney FC vs Wollongong Wolves FC

7:30pm, Friday 26 July, Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre

Sydney FC will host Wollongong Wolves in an exciting match at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre which sees a relegation battler face off against a top-six contender.

Both sides require three points in this match for different reasons, but it’s the Sky Blues who could grab a more imperative win, with Sydney currently bottom of the ladder on goal difference.

Finishing in this spot would reside them to automatic relegation from the competition, and with their poor goal difference, any points across the last five games could be vital in this close battle.

However, they will be taking on a strong Wollongong side led by the creative, exciting striker Lachlan Scott, and know another victory will keep them in the top six, making this an exciting, intense clash.

NWS Spirit FC vs Sydney Olympic FC

5:30pm, Saturday 27 July, Christie Park

NWS Spirit will come up against Sydney Olympic to begin Saturday’s NPL Men’s NSW fixtures.

Olympic have emerged as surprise top six contenders, moving past a difficult start to the season to currently be just four points off a finals place.

However, with still a good gap to makeup, this match against Spirit is crucial for the away side, with Roy O’Donovan and Adam Parkhouse set to be key.

Marconi Stallions FC vs Sydney United 58

7:00pm, Saturday 27 July, Marconi Stadium

In one of the two top-six clashes of the weekend, Marconi Stallions will take on Sydney United 58 in an exciting fixture at Marconi Stadium.

Marconi has emerged from the weekend with a strong gap in second place, with poor form from APIA Leichhardt making the hosts second by five points.

With a gap of six to the top, they will be relying on APIA to beat Rockdale this weekend to set up a dramatic conclusion to the season, where Marconi could emerge with the Premiership.

However, to continue to contend for first, they will have to beat rivals Sydney United 58 this weekend, who will be looking for a win of their own to consolidate their place in the top six.

Hills United FC vs St George FC

7:00pm, Saturday 27 July, Landen Stadium

Hills United will take on St George FC in a major clash in the relegation battle to jointly conclude Saturday’s fixtures.

The hosts picked up a highly necessary victory in their last match, defeating NWS Spirit 4-1 – thanks to a Glen Kelshaw goal and a Yu Okubo hat-trick – to move into 12th on the ladder, ahead of their Round 26 opponents.

St George, who lost their last match, are just one point off the bottom three, and will need a win in this fixture to find form again at the back-end of the season.

Thus, this will be an exhilarating, entertaining and intense match at Landen Stadium, with both sides eager not to return to Football NSW’s League One Men’s competition after being promoted in 2023.

Blacktown City FC vs Western Sydney Wanderers FC

3:00pm, Sunday 28 July, Landen Stadium

In another match at Landen Stadium, Blacktown City will take on Western Sydney Wanderers in one of three Sunday 3pm clashes.

Blacktown are unbeaten in their last three matches, but suffered a disappointing draw in their previous game, with a Martin Fernandez goal cancelled out by Cher Deng.

Western Sydney, meanwhile, have struggled for form in the second half of the season, and have slipped out of finals contention.

Blacktown will be eager to capitalise on the Wanderers’ issues this weekend and continue to solidify their place in the top six.

Rockdale Ilinden FC vs APIA Leichhardt FC

3:00pm, Sunday 28 July, Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre

In a highly exciting fixture, Rockdale Ilinden will take on APIA Leichhardt on Sunday afternoon.

APIA has fallen out of the Premiership race with a disappointing run of form that has seen them go winless in their last four games, picking up two draws and losing twice in a congested fixture period over the last two weeks

However, they will be looking to make a statement for finals against current league leaders Rockdale Ilinden, who suffered their fourth defeat of the season at the hands of Sydney Olympic in Round 25.

With exciting talent like Ben Gibson, Alec Urosevski, Jack Stewart, Brendan Cholakian and more set to feature, this will be a fantastic game of football between two of the best sides in the league.

Central Coast Mariners vs St George City FA

3:00pm, Sunday 28 July, Pluim Park

In another clash depicting a relegation battler against a finals contender, the Central Coast Mariners will take on St George City FA at Pluim Park.

The Mariners have been in strong form in recent weeks, having picked up three wins and one draw in their last five games, but will be facing a different challenge in the form of a motivated St George on Sunday afternoon.

St George will be looking to capitalise on any slip-up from Wollongong and find their way into the top six, or continue to keep pressure on as they chase down a finals place.

With the Mariners currently second bottom and looking for a way out of the relegation playoff palace, and St George just one point off finals, both sides will be feeling there’s all to play for in a meaningful clash at Pluim Park to jointly conclude the round.

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2024 Golden Boot Tally

28 – Alec Urosevski (Rockdale Ilinden)

16 – Jak O’Brien (Blacktown City)

16 – Ben Gibson (APIA)

16 – Roy O’Donovan (Sydney Olympic)

13 – Nathanael Blair (WSW)

13 – James Temelkovski (Marconi)

13 – Marko Jesic (Marconi)

11 – Takumi Ofuka (Wollongong Wolves)

10 – Luka Smyth (CCM)

10 – Patrick Antelmi (Sydney United 58)

10 – Yu Okubo (Hills United)

By Jack George (@JackGeorge0004)