Round 17 Preview – NPL Men’s NSW

Following an exhilarating weekend of action, Round 17 promises even more excitement, with the battle for finals and to avoid relegation heating up in the NPL Men’s NSW competition.  

St George FC vs Sydney FC

7:30pm, Tuesday 27 May, Barton Park

In a rescheduled Round 13 game, St George FC will take on Sydney FC at Barton Park.

This is a major midweek fixture for the away side, who, with a win, would enter the top six, taking over Sydney United 58.

However, they won’t have an easy match-up, with St George FC picking up a crucial 2-0 win over Sydney Olympic last weekend to move to just five points off a finals place.

It’s yet another scintillating clash between two sides competing for finals football, and promises to excite on Tuesday night.

Sydney Olympic FC vs Central Coast Mariners

6:00pm, Wednesday 28 May, Valentine Sports Park

In an earlier Wednesday evening game, Sydney Olympic will face off against the Central Coast Mariners in a makeup match from Round Eight at Valentine Sports Park.

Olympic have picked up just one win in their last five, losing their four remaining games, but the Mariners have done worse, suffering the same amount of defeats while only drawing once.

The silver lining for Central Coast is that they will be coming into this fixture with that draw as their last match, and it’s a crucial clash for them.

With a win, the Mariners would jump off the bottom of the ladder, taking second-bottom from Mt Druitt, but it will be a tough ask against a strong Olympic side.

Sutherland Sharks FC vs Manly United FC

5:30pm, Saturday 31 May, Seymour Shaw

To begin Round 17, Sutherland Sharks will host Manly United at Seymour Shaw.

Sutherland have picked up just one point from their last five matches, and are falling worryingly close to the danger zone, just three points from the bottom two.

A strong home win for them on Saturday evening is imperative as they look to avoid the bottom two, however they will be facing a Manly side with a lot to play for, as they look to move back towards the top six after going winless in their last three games.

NWS Spirit FC vs Blacktown City FC

5:30pm, Saturday 31 May, Christie Park

In a crucial top-six fixture, third-placed NWS Spirit will face off against fifth-placed Blacktown City with just a point separating the teams.

Both sides are coming off a loss, with Blacktown being defeated by league leaders Marconi and Spirit suffering a disappointing loss to Sydney FC.

Marconi are running away at the top of the table – eight and nine points clear of Spirit and Blacktown respectively – but it’s crucial for both sides that they remain close to the reigning Champions, while also looking to remain comfortably in the top-six.

This fixture is set to promise an abundance of excitement, fantastic football and drama, as Christie Park hosts a belter of an NPL Men’s NSW fixture.

APIA Leichhardt FC vs Central Coast Mariners FC

6:00pm, Saturday 31 May, Lambert Park

With both sides coming fresh off Wednesday night fixtures, APIA Leichhardt will host the Central Coast Mariners on Saturday evening.

APIA will be taking on Italian rivals Marconi Stallions in an Australia Cup qualifier match on Wednesday night – a fixture that will also see the winner advance into the Waratah Cup semi-final.

It will be intriguing to see whether either side opts for a different squad to their respective Wednesday fixtures, but nevertheless, this match promises plenty of energy and excitement, with both sides looking to push on for their respective goals as we move beyond the halfway point of the campaign.

Western Sydney Wanderers vs Sydney Olympic FC

3:00pm, Saturday 31 May, Wanderers Football Park

Amongst a frenzy of Saturday fixtures, Western Sydney Wanderers will take on Sydney Olympic at Wanderers Football Park.

With a major victory over Mt Druitt in their last match, the Wanderers are now three points clear of the bottom two, but will be looking to consolidate that advantage with another positive result this weekend.

With two wins and a draw in their last three games, they will be full of confidence coming into this fixture, while Olympic prepare to take on their second academy side in one week.

St George City FA vs Wollongong Wolves FC

7:15pm, Saturday 31 May, Penshurst Park

St George City FA will face off against Wollongong Wolves in an exciting top-six contender clash at Penshurst Park.

St George has struggled to back up their recent form in the last two weeks, suffering back-to-back defeats – the last of which was a 4-1 loss to Rockdale Ilinden.

Wollongong Wolves, meanwhile, have won two of their last five matches and drawn the remaining three, with both sides looking for a return to form to push themselves back up the congested mid-table.

With the likes of Nicholas Olsen, Louis Khoury and others, this promises to be a quality, attacking match between two exciting sides.

Marconi Stallions FC vs Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC

3:00pm, Sunday 1 June, Marconi Stadium

The league leaders Marconi Stallions will face off against second-bottom Mt Druitt Town Rangers in one of three Sunday afternoon matches.

Marconi are the clear favourites heading into this clash, having established a five-point gap at the top of the NPL Men’s NSW ladder.

It’s been an utterly dominant season thus far for the famous Italian club, with their 10 goals conceded highlighting their success in the league so far.

In the bottom-two, Mt Druitt will give everything to get a result from this match, but it will be a tough ask against the reigning Champions at Marconi Stadium.

Sydney United 58 FC vs Sydney FC

3:00pm, Sunday 1 June, Sydney United Sports Centre

Sunday afternoon will host a nail biting top-six encounter, as United 58 potentially look to take back their finals spot that Sydney FC could steal from them on Tuesday night.

If the Sky Blues win their catch-up match, the sides will come into this fixture level on points, with the winner taking sixth placed heading into Round 18.

It looks set to be an intense fixture between two quality sides, particularly with Sydney United heading into this match looking to make it three wins in a row.

Rockdale Ilinden FC vs St George FC

3:00pm, Sunday 1 June, Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre

To jointly conclude Round 17, Rockdale Ilinden will host St George FC at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre.

The hosts for this match are currently the side with the best form in the league, dropping points just once in their last five matches in a draw with Manly United.

No team has scored more goals in the league than Rockdale, who with 44 in 16 matches, average an astonishing 2.75 per game.

This match will pit two exciting, attacking sides against each other, as Rockdale looks to put pressure on Marconi and St George aims to find a way back into the top-six.