Round 8 Preview – NPL Men’s NSW

Round Eight of the NPL Men’s NSW competition promises to be a belter, with a clash between APIA Leichhardt and Rockdale Ilinden highlighting a bumper weekend of football with a fantastic set of fixtures.

Sydney Olympic FC vs Central Coast Mariners FC

5:00pm, Saturday 29 March, Belmore Sports Ground

Sydney Olympic will open Round Eight when taking on the Central Coast Mariners at Belmore Sports Ground on Saturday evening.

Olympic suffered their first loss in four matches last weekend, going down to two first half goals from Sydney FC.

Facing another academy side on Saturday, they will be aiming for a different result, particularly against a Central Coast Mariners side who have struggled so far this campaign.

A 1-0 defeat to Sutherland Sharks in Round Seven kept the Mariners in the bottom two on goal difference, and they will be desperate for points away from home this weekend, and with Olympic needing points to keep pushing for the top six, this will be an exhilarating opener to the weekend of football.

NWS Spirit FC vs Sutherland Sharks FC

5:30pm, Saturday 29 March, Christie Park

League leaders NWS Spirit FC will be looking to sustain their unbeaten start to the season when facing off against the Sutherland Sharks at home on Saturday evening.

Spirit rebounded from a draw against Sydney united 58 in Round Six with a victory over Manly United last weekend, with yet another goal from Yu Okubo seeing them sit four points clear at the top of the ladder.

However, they won’t have it easy this weekend, taking on a plucky Sutherland Sharks side full of quality, with the likes of Jerry Skotadis, Peter Grozos and Mason Fernandez always providing a threat.

It will be another challenging game for Spirit, but the table toppers have passed everything thrown at their way so far this campaign, and will be confident in another win on the weekend given their stunning start to 2025.

Marconi Stallions FC vs Western Sydney Wanderers FC

7:00pm, Saturday 29 March, Marconi Stadium

To continue Saturday’s fixtures, Marconi Stallions host Western Sydney Wanderers in what looks to be an exciting game between two sides on opposite ends of the ladder.

Marconi Stallions have enjoyed a quietly strong start to the season, picking up four wins and three draws to go unbeaten in the opening seven rounds.

The same cannot be said of the Western Sydney Wanderers, who have lost their last five games on the bounce, and will be desperate to pull off an upset at Marconi Stadium and return to the points this weekend.

St George City FA vs St George FC

7:15pm, Saturday 29 March, Penshurst Park

Saturday’s fixtures will conclude in spectacular fashion in the form of a St George derby at Penshurst Park.

It’s St George FC who have had the better start to the season, currently in 10th with eight points compared to their rivals who are both one place and point below.

After a rocky start results wise, St George FC have now gone four games unbeaten in an impressive run of form, including two big home wins against Sutherland Sharks and Wollongong Wolves.

Meanwhile, St George City ended a three game losing streak with a gusty 1-0 victory away from home to Mt Druitt, and will be looking to return to Penshurst Park with a mixture of fire and quality to gain the bragging rights in one of the most coveted matches in the NPL Men’s NSW season.

Blacktown City FC vs Manly United FC

3:00pm, Sunday 30 March, Landen Stadium

Blacktown City will take on Manly United in an exciting top six clash in one of three Sunday 3pm fixtures.

The home side ended a strong run of form in disappointing fashion last weekend, going down 3-0 to rivals Rockdale Ilinden away from home after winning three and drawing one of their previous four games.

Similarly, Manly United also ended a four game unbeaten streak, as they lost out to Spirit at Cromer Park.

Now, the two top six contenders will be keen to respond and begin another strong unbeaten run, in a match that’s set to be chock-full of quality and intensity.

APIA Leichhardt FC vs Rockdale Ilinden FC

3:00pm, Sunday 30 March, Lambert Park

APIA Leichhardt and Rockdale Ilinden will face off in what looks to be an exhilarating clash between two NPL Men’s NSW heavyweights at Lambert Park on Sunday afternoon.

On a three match unbeaten run, APIA will see three points as a requirement this weekend, as they look to close down the eight point gap at the top of the ladder after a rocky start to the season.

Rockdale, three points closer to the top, will be coming into this match full of confidence after their 3-0 win over Blacktown City, and will be looking to dispatch another heavyweight in fine fashion this weekend

But neither side will have it easy on Sunday at Lambert Park, with both teams set to compete ferociously in an electric match of football, outlining all the best features of the NPL Men’s NSW competition.

Wollongong Wolves FC vs Sydney United 58 FC

3:00pm, Sunday 30 March, Macedonia Park

Wollongong Wolves have the chance to respond to their first defeat of the season when taking on Sydney United 58 at Macedonia Park.

The Wolves were pushed out of the top six with a 2-1 loss to St George FC, as goals from Bai Antoniou and Harrison Farrow ended a six game unbeaten run to begin their campaign.

They will be looking to take full advantage of a Sydney United 58 side that has begun their season in disappointing fashion, taking just six points from their opening seven matches to sit fourth last on the ladder.

United 58 have to find form, and will be looking to do so this weekend with a statement victory in a tricky away trip both in terms of distance and quality of opponent.

Sydney FC vs Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC

4:00pm, Sunday 30 March, Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre

To conclude the round, Sydney FC will take on Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre.

Sydney FC tasted victory for the first time in four matches last round, and will be filled with confidence heading into their home game against Mt Druitt this weekend.

This clash could prove decisive in the longer-term battle to avoid the bottom two spots, with both sides in the bottom five and just two points apart.

Mt Druitt will be relying on the quality and experience of Joey Gibbs and Pedrinho to guide them to victory this weekend, whilst the Sky Blues have plenty of exciting young talent prepared to shine on Sunday afternoon in an exciting match to conclude Round Eight.