Round 24 Preview – NPL Men’s NSW

Round 24 of the NPL Men’s NSW competition will see four of the top six sides face off against each other, as the battle for the Premiership and relegation remains as close as ever.

Sydney FC vs Western Sydney Wanderers FC

7:30pm, Friday 18 July, Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre

Round 24 will begin with an exciting Sydney derby between two A-League Men’s academy sides.

Sydney FC will come into this match searching for their first victory in four games, with their only point in that difficult timeframe coming last weekend in a 0-0 draw with Mt Druitt Town Rangers.

However, they are still on double the points of their rivals and opponents for Round 24, with Western Sydney Wanderers now in the relegation zone after suffering their fourth defeat in five games on Saturday.

One point away from safety, but level with Mt Druitt on the bottom of the ladder, a result for Western Sydney is crucial as they look to remain in the NPL Men’s NSW competition for another year.

NWS Spirit FC vs Rockdale Ilinden FC

5:30pm, Saturday 19 July, Christie Park

It’s another week, another mammoth top-four clash in the NPL Men’s NSW competition, as NWS Spirit host Rockdale Ilinden at Christie Park.

The two sides are both level on points, three behind Marconi in top spot, making this clash highly significant in the Premiership title race.

Spirit will come into this match in mighty form, with four wins from their last five games, as their Round 23 fixture saw them prevail 3-1 over Sutherland Sharks thanks to a brace from Michael Konestabo and a goal from Yu Okubo.

Rockdale, on the other hand, have suffered two defeats in their last three games, with their latest match a 4-1 loss to APIA Leichhardt.

With both sides firmly in the hunt for top spot, a win will not only keep them in the chance with Marconi – and place them first if the current league leaders lose – but will also push a title rival three points back, making this a true exhilarating six-pointer.

Wollongong Wolves FC vs Manly United FC

6:00pm, Saturday 19 July, Macedonia Park 

Continuing Saturday’s fixtures, Wollongong Wolves will take on Manly United as they look to make a push for a top-six spot.

Wollongong missed out on a chance to push up the table last weekend when taking on Sydney United 58, who currently occupy the last finals position, with a 0-0 draw seeing them remain five points clear.

They will be looking to respond with a big victory this weekend against Manly United, who are themselves only two points behind their opponents for Round 24.

With both sides looking for a late run into finals contention, this bodes as another exciting fixture down at Macedonia Park.

St George City FA vs Marconi Stallions FC

7:15pm, Saturday 19 July, Penshurst Park 

Later on Saturday night, St George City will welcome league leaders Marconi Stallions to what promises to be an exciting battle at Penshurst Park.

The big story from Round 23 came as Marconi re-took the lead in the Premiership race, capitalising on Rockdale dropping points while winning their own game 1-0 to go three points clear.

But they’ll have to back it up this weekend in a difficult fixture away from home, with St George City coming into this match fired up after winning the St George derby 3-1 last weekend.

A hat-trick for Marc McNulty in that fixtures makes him the one to watch for this match, with Marconi’s goalscorer from last weekend – Tass Mourdoukoutas – likely to play an important role in keeping him quiet.

Both sides feature plenty of quality and with it all on the line, Penshurst Park is set to host a spectacle of a match.

Sutherland Sharks FC vs Blacktown City FC

7:30pm, Saturday 19 July, Seymour Shaw

To conclude Saturday’s fixtures, Sutherland Sharks will host Blacktown City Sports Centre at Seymour Shaw.

Sutherland has struggled to back up their shock win over Rockdale three weeks ago, drawing to the Mariners and losing to NWS Spirit in the two games after.

This weekend, they will be aiming to produce another upset, as they face Blacktown City who are fifth on the ladder.

The away side for this match is coming into this game off two straight defeats, and are only clear of United 58 in sixth by five points.

A win in this fixture is important as they look to avoid slipping into a battle for their finals position, and steer clear of the chaos below them.

APIA Leichhardt FC vs Sydney United 58 FC

3:00pm, Sunday 20 July, Lambert Park 

In an exhilarating fixture, two of the NPL Men’s NSW’s biggest sides will face off at Lambert Park, as APIA Leichhardt take on Sydney United 58.

APIA will come into this match as the most in-form side in the league, taking out maximum points from their last five games, and with their most recent fixture seeing them drag Rockdale Ilinden off the top of the ladder with a 4-1 win.

Just four points off top spot, they will need another victory this weekend to continue their push for the Premiership, and it won’t come easy against the recently crowned Waratah Cup Champions.

United 58 have been in poor league form, not winning in four matches, and have Sydney Olympic breathing down their neck for that cherished sixth spot.

However, they have a knack of showing up in big games, and this weekend will be no different, as two of the most exciting sides in the league battle it out at Lambert Park.

Central Coast Mariners FC vs St George FC

3:00pm, Sunday 20 July, Pluim Park

The Central Coast Mariners will host St George FC in an intriguing fixture on Sunday afternoon at Pluim Park.

Having not lost in four games, the Mariners have moved out of the relegation spots, securing a vital 1-1 draw with Sydney Olympic last weekend thanks to a 76th minute goal from Jai Rose.

But Central Coast are still far from safe, only one point off the bottom two, so they’ll need to continue their strong form in this match.

St George FC have stalled in recent weeks, winless in five games while losing their last three, and will be motivated to respond with a statement victory away from home against a fired-up Mariners side.

Sydney Olympic FC vs Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC

5:00pm, Sunday 20 July, Belmore Sports Ground

Sydney Olympic will conclude Round 24 of the NPL Men’s NSW competition when facing Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday evening.

If Sydney United 58 don’t defeat APIA, a win would move Olympic into the top six, while a loss for their finals rivals would see the home side for this match require just a point.

However, they will have their intentions firmly set on three, as they face off against bottom of the table Mt Druitt, who have two draws in their last two games.

With a plethora of new signings in their squad, Mt Druitt will be looking for a way off the bottom of the ladder in what continues to be a nailbiting relegation battle between them, the Wanderers and Central Coast.