Round 27 Preview – NPL Men’s NSW

With just four games left in the NPL Men’s NSW competition, it’s all to play for at both ends of the table.  

Manly United FC vs Sydney Olympic FC

7:30pm, Friday 8 August, Cromer Park

Manly United will open Round 27 when hosting Sydney Olympic at Cromer Park on Friday night.

The home side experienced defeat last round, going down 1-0 to APIA Leichhardt as they sit 12th on the ladder.

Their opponents also lost, in more dramatic circumstances, with a last-gasp winner from league leaders NWS Spirit snatching away a draw for Sydney Olympic at home.

The away side for this match needs to return to winning ways to continue their run for finals, as they are now eighth, two points off the top six.

Sutherland Sharks FC vs Sydney FC

4:00pm, Saturday 9 August, Seymour Shaw

Sutherland Sharks will take on Sydney FC in the first of three Saturday fixtures.

Sutherland is still currently safe from relegation, in fourth-last, but are only clear of the bottom of the ladder by two points.

With the worst record in their last five matches compared to any side below them, they are in a precarious position and will be hoping for a win this weekend over a quality Sydney FC who have suffered mixed form in recent weeks.

The Sharks will be looking towards the likes of Danijel Nizic, Yerasimakis Petratos and Tariq Maia to secure a statement win, which could be enough to keep them in the NPL Men’s NSW competition for another year.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC vs Wollongong Wolves FC

5:00pm, Saturday 9 August, Popondetta Park

Mt Druitt Town Rangers will face off against Wollongong Wolves in an intriguing fixture at Popondetta Park on Saturday evening.

The home side for this match picked up a positive result in their last match, drawing 2-2 with Blacktown City thanks to a last-gasp equaliser from Theph Theph.

Bottom of the table by goal difference, equal on points with the two sides ahead, they will need to bring their strong form into this match against a fired up Wollongong Wolves side, who will be desperate to retain their top-six spot after earning it last weekend.

Unbeaten in six matches, with four wins from their last five, the Wolves have entered a finals position emphatically, but have three teams below them separated by just three points.

A win this weekend is necessary to keep their spot, but it won’t be easy against a motivated, impassioned Mt Druitt outfit.

Western Sydney Wanderers FC vs St George City FA

7:00pm, Saturday 9 August, Wanderers Football Park

Later on Saturday night, another relegation battler will take on a top six contender as Western Sydney Wanderers host St George City at Wanderers Football Park.

Western Sydney picked up an important 1-1 draw against Rockdale Ilinden in their most recent fixture, and they are currently third-bottom, but only by goal difference.

St George City, meanwhile, bounced back from a Round 25 defeat with a 1-0 win over Sutherland Sharks, with Marc McNulty continuing his stellar league form, making it nine goals in his last nine games.

Three points off the top six, St George need a win to remain firmly in the hunt, and will have to battle it out against a Wanderers side who would do anything for a win at this strenuous stage of the season.

Central Coast Mariners FC vs Rockdale Ilinden FC 

6:00pm, Sunday 10 August, Pluim Park

Sunday evening will see a huge match unfold as Central Coast Mariners will host Rockdale Ilinden at Pluim Park.

With a disappointing draw to the Wanderers in their last match, four games without a win has seen Rockdale all but fall out of the Premiership race, with the reigning premiers now seven points off the top of the table.

They are safe from finals, but will simply be looking to end a barren run with a win this weekend over a motivated Mariners side who, following their postponed game last weekend, remain second-last on the ladder.

With it all to play for in the relegation scrap, expect the Mariners to bring plenty of intensity and fight to Rockdale, making this an exciting Sunday evening fixture on the Central Coast.

Marconi Stallions FC vs APIA Leichhardt FC

3:00pm, Sunday 10 August, Marconi Stadium

In the biggest game of Round 27, Premiership hopefuls Marconi Stallions and APIA Leichhardt will face each other in a vital Derby D’Italia.

The home side for this match are three points behind APIA, but Marconi have a game in hand over their opponents, who are currently three points off the top of the table.

Both sides are strongly in the Premiership race, desperate for a slip-up from NWS Spirit, who currently lead the league.

The winner of this game will remain firmly in the race with three games to go, and if Spirit lose to St George, a win for APIA would see them go top of the league.

The stakes have never been higher in the Derby D’Italia, and this match promises plenty of tension, excitement and entertaining football.

With it all to play for at Marconi Stadium, this potential Premiership decider is a must watch.

St George FC vs NWS Spirit

3:00pm, Sunday 10 August, Barton Park

While the other two sides in the top-three battle it out at Marconi Stadium, Spirit will travel to face St George FC at Barton Park.

The Premiership is currently in Spirit’s hands, as they maintained their three point lead at the top of the table after picking up a sensational win over Sydney Olympic last weekend courtesy of a 90th-minute strike from Harry Keys.

They will be looking to back it up against St George, in the knowledge that a win at Barton Park and a draw between Marconi and APIA would see them go five points clear with just three games to go.

St George, playing for pride, will be looking to cause an upset in the Premiership race, and they have plenty of quality to produce a result, but Spirit will no doubt be the favourites as they look to storm on and claim what would be a remarkable NPL Men’s NSW Premiership.

Sydney United 58 FC vs Blacktown City

7:00pm, Wednesday 13 August, Sydney United Sports Centre

Round 27 will interestingly conclude on Wednesday night, as Sydney United 58 host Blacktown City at Sydney United Sports Centre.

After their 1-1 draw with St George FC last weekend, United 58’s winless run has continued, with the finals hopefuls now making it an astonishing four draws in a row.

Now outside of the finals places, a point off Wollongong in sixth, they will be aiming to find winning form once more against their old foes Blacktown City, who themselves have just one victory from their last five games.

Interestingly, a win for United 58 would see them go just three points off Blacktown, who are currently fifth on the ladder, meaning a win for the away side is necessary to keep them clear of the battle for a spot in the NPL Men’s NSW finals.