Round 16 Preview – NPL Men’s NSW
As we enter the second round of fixtures for the season, a massive match between Marconi Stallions and Blacktown City takes centre stage on Sunday afternoon.
Sydney FC vs NWS Spirit FC
7:30pm, Friday 23 May, Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
Sydney FC will open the weekend when taking on NWS Spirit at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre.
The Sky Blues brought a five game unbeaten run to an end last weekend when suffering a tight 2-1 defeat to Rockdale Ilinden, and will be looking to rebound against another top-six side this weekend.
NWS Spirit have been in strong form in the league, having not lost in four matches, and are coming off the back of a 5-0 thumping of Mt Druitt Town Rangers, featuring a brace from Michael Konestabo as well as goals to Takumi Ofuka, Kyah Williams and Marco Arambasic.
With Spirit third on the ladder – joint on points with Rockdale in second – they will be looking to continue their form this Friday night against a strong Sydney FC side.
Sutherland Sharks FC vs Sydney United 58 FC
4:00pm, Saturday 24 May, Seymour Shaw
A struggling Sutherland Sharks side will open Saturday’s run of games as they host Sydney United 58 at Seymour Shaw.
Losing 2-0 to Marconi Stallions last weekend, the Sharks are fourth-bottom on the ladder, only three points off the bottom two, and need a win to get their season back on track after a promising start.
United 58, meanwhile, have enjoyed an opposite story – they’ve recovered from a poor beginning to 2025, and entered the top-six last weekend with a big win over St George City.
However, with sixth and 10th separated by just three points, a victory for United 58 is vital to retain their finals position and fend off the numerous challengers.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC vs Western Sydney Wanderers FC
5:00pm, Saturday 24 May, Popondetta Park
In a massive clash for the relegation battle, Mt Druitt Town Rangers will face Western Sydney Wanderers at Popondetta Park.
The sides are currently second and third bottom on the table respectively, level on points at the hairy end of the ladder.
A win for either side would steer them clear of the dreaded bottom-two, and possibly put them level with the Sharks a place up, making this a crucial game in the context of both side’s seasons.
With the likes of Pedrinho, Joey Gibbs, Nicholas Badolato and Edmun Haddad, this fixture will feature plenty of quality, as both sides prepare to throw everything they have at a scintillating match-up.
Wollongong Wolves FC vs APIA Leichhardt FC
7:00pm, Saturday 24 May, WIN Stadium
Down the South Coast, Wollongong Wolves will feature against APIA Leichhardt in yet another exciting NPL Men’s NSW fixture.
After defeating league leaders Marconi Stallions 3-0, the Wolves come into this clash off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Blacktown City in Round 15, which restricted them from taking a top-six spot.
Against an in-form APIA side, they will be keen to show their quality, with the away team looking to remain in touch with the top four.
St George City FA vs Rockdale Ilinden FC
7:15pm, Saturday 24 May, Penshurst Park
In an integral fixture to both sides, St George City will face Rockdale Ilinden at Penshurst Park.
St George City ended a five match unbeaten run with a 1-0 defeat to Sydney United 58, which saw them slip three points behind the top-six.
Rockdale Ilinden, meanwhile, are second in the league, but the most in-form side in the competition, currently seven matches without defeat in the NPL Men’s NSW competition.
Five points off Marconi in top spot, it’s vital they continue to pick up strong points as they strive to make it two Premierships in a row.
St George FC vs Sydney Olympic
7:30pm, Saturday 24 May, Barton Park
In an exciting match between two of the outsider final contenders, St George will take on Sydney Olympic at Barton Park.
Both sides are five points off the top-six after suffering difficult runs of form, with St George in a particularly bad moment, having not won since Round Nine.
However, a win over a fellow foe for finals could be what it takes to get either of these sides seasons back on track, as they look to join the plentiful chasing pack for that last position in the top six.
Central Coast Mariners vs Manly United
3:00pm, Sunday 25 May, Pluim Park
Still stuck at the bottom of the table, the Central Coast Mariners will be looking for a way out when facing Manly United at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Mariners have picked up just one win and six points all campaign, sitting three points away from safety on the bottom of the ladder.
With the other two in the bottom three facing each other this weekend, the Mariners will be looking to capitalise with an upset win over finals contender Manly United.
With their goal difference and goals scored, they would jump Mt Druitt and likely the Wanderers with a victory, giving them good incentive to find their second victory of the season and take a step off the bottom of the table.
Blacktown City vs Marconi Stallions
3:00pm, Sunday 25 May, Landen Stadium
The joint conclusion to Round 16 will feature a sensational fixture between NPL Men’s NSW heavyweights Blacktown City and Marconi Stallions.
This match is huge in the context of the season – Marconi are currently first, five points clear of Rockdale in second.
Blacktown, in fourth, are just one point behind Rockdale, meaning a win for them this weekend would put them just three points off the top of the league.
Essentially, Blacktown winning this match would burst the Premiership race wide open, but it won’t be an easy task, with Marconi only being defeated once this campaign.
The famous Italian side knows that a win would be crucial in pushing a Premiership rival further away, making this an exhilarating clash at Landen Stadium.
