Round 26 Preview – NPL Men’s NSW
It’s all to play for in Round 26 of the NPL Men’s NSW competition, with the Premiership, finals and relegation all on the line with five matches remaining.
NWS Spirit FC vs Sydney Olympic FC
5:30pm, Saturday 2 August, Christie Park
The NPL Men’s NSW league leaders will open Round 26 with an exciting fixture against Sydney Olympic.
Last weekend, Spirit picked up an astonishing 5-0 victory over the Marconi Stallions, tearing apart their Premiership rivals thanks to an own goal, goals from Takumi Ofuka and Yu Okubo and a brace from Michael Konestabo.
Now three points ahead of the chasing pack, it’s Spirit’s Premiership to lose, and they will be looking to make it seven victories in a row this weekend when taking on Sydney Olympic at home.
With a 2-1 win over St George City in the previous round, Sydney Olympic will be raring for this fixture as they look to retain their newly gained sixth spot on the ladder.
APIA Leichhardt FC vs Manly United FC
6:00pm, Saturday 2 August, Lambert Park
Another Premiership contender will host the second Saturday match of the round, as APIA Leichhardt take on Manly United at Lambert Park.
A 2-0 win over Mt Druitt last weekend made it seven games unbeaten for the Italian side, and moved them up to second place on the ladder.
Three points off the top of the table, if Spirit lose to Olympic and APIA beat Manly, they will move up to first on the ladder.
Nevertheless, it’s an important match for APIA, particuarly considering their Australia Cup commitments mid-week against Melbourne City, as they look to pile pressure on Spirit in search for their second Premiership in three seasons.
Western Sydney Wanderers FC vs Rockdale Ilinden FC
7:00pm, Saturday 2 August, Wanderers Football Park
Western Sydney Wanderers will face off against Rockdale Ilinden in an intriguing fixture at Wanderers Football Park.
The home side for this match experienced defeat in their last game against Manly United, with a last minute goal preventing them from picking up a crucial point away from home.
Still second-bottom on the ladder, they will be desperate for a result this weekend against a Rockdale side that has won just one of their last five games.
Now five points off the top of the table, it’s an equally important game for Rockdale, with a win necessary to keep them in the Premiership hunt.
St George City FA vs Sutherland Sharks FC
7:15pm, Saturday 2 August, Penshurst Park
To conclude Saturday’s fixtures, St George City will host Sutherland Sharks at Penshurst Park.
After their disappointing defeat last weekend, St George are four points off sixth spot, meaning this is a must-win match for them to remain in contention for finals.
However, Sutherland Sharks’ recent poor form has put them in a precarious position, with the away side for this match now just three points off the bottom two.
With the three teams below them all showing themselves to be capable of surprises, the Sharks will require a positive result here to avoid slipping into a proper end of season relegation battle.
Central Coast Mariners FC vs Marconi Stallions FC
3:00pm, Sunday 3 August, Pluim Park
Clear of the bottom-two by just one point, Central Coast Mariners will take on a fired-up Marconi Stallions this side at home on Sunday afternoon.
The big story of last weekend was Marconi’s 5-0 loss to Spirit, which emphatically dropped them into third-place, three points off top spot.
The historic club will be looking to respond with a statement victory this weekend, as they aim to add a Premiership to their Championship from last season.
The Mariners won’t give in easily, however, with plenty to play for as they attempt to avoid the relegation zone for another week.
Blacktown City FC vs Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC
3:00pm, Sunday 3 August, Landen Stadium
Another of the relegation-threatened sides will feature on Sunday afternoon, as Mt Druitt Town Rangers travel to Landen Stadium to face Blacktown City.
After losing 2-0 to APIA in their last match, Mt Druitt remain bottom of the ladder, which would currently see them automatically relegated from the NPL Men’s NSW competition.
Meanwhile, in fifth spot, Blacktown City are six points clear of sixth, but with sixth, seventh and eighth separated by just one point, they will want a win to avoid putting their finals place in jeopardy after a loss to St George FC last weekend.
It will be an interesting match with plenty to play for between both sides, and promises to deliver tension and excitement at Landen Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Wollongong Wolves FC vs Sydney FC
3:00pm, Sunday 3 August, WIN Stadium
In sensational form, Wollongong Wolves will be looking to continue their push for finals when taking on Sydney FC at WIN Stadium.
The Wolves are five games unbeaten in the league, and are coming off back-to-back victories, with the latter a 3-1 win over Sutherland Sharks thanks to a brace from Nicholas Olsen and a goal from Alex Masciovecchio.
One point off the top six, but in eighth spot, a win for them is necessary on Sunday afternoon, as they face a Sydney FC side who are just five points off finals themselves.
With a win away from home, the Sky Blues could flip the script, and push themselves properly into contention with four matches to go, making this an exciting NPL Men’s NSW encounter.
Sydney United 58 FC vs St George FC
3:00pm, Sunday 3 August, Sydney United Sports Centre
After losing their sixth spot last weekend, United 58 will be searching for a way back into finals when taking on St George FC at home on Sunday afternoon.
United 58 picked up a draw against Rockdale Ilinden in Round 25, but haven’t won a league match in six games – something they’ll be looking to change this weekend.
Taking on an in-form St George side, United 58 will be looking to break the away side’s match unbeaten run, as they continue to strive for yet another season in NPL Men’s NSW finals.
