Round 8 Preview – NPL Men’s NSW
The NPL Men’s NSW competition returns for another mammoth weekend of action, highlighted by an exhilarating clash between Rockdale Ilinden and unbeaten league leaders Sydney United 58.
Sydney FC v APIA Leichhardt FC
7:30pm, Friday 27 March – Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
Sydney FC will open the weekend when taking on APIA Leichhardt in what promises to be an exciting match at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre.
The Sky Blues will be coming into this match off the back of three consecutive defeats, and will be motivated to return to winning ways against an in-form APIA side, who have picked up four wins in a row.
APIA’s most recent victory came against the Sutherland Sharks, where a 90th-minute goal from Alex Denmead secured a dramatic three points in front of a jubilant home crowd.
Now playing away from home, APIA will be motivated to make it five wins in a row and push closer towards Sydney United 58 at the top of the ladder.
Western Sydney Wanderers FC v Marconi Stallions FC
3:00pm, Saturday 28 March – Wanderers Football Park
To open an exhilarating set of Saturday fixtures, Western Sydney Wanderers will host Marconi Stallions at Wanderers Football Park.
The Wanderers have been in sensational form recently, coming into this match with three successive victories.
Their most recent was a resounding 4-0 win over Sydney Olympic, where a hat-trick from Awan Lual was supplemented by a Tristan Arrate goal to secure a statement win for the academy side.
They will be aiming to continue their impressive form against a strong Marconi Stallions side who became the first team to defeat St George FC last weekend.
UNSW FC v St George City FA
5:00pm, Saturday 28 March – The Village Green
After picking up their first win in the NPL Men’s NSW competition last weekend, UNSW FC will take on St George City FA in an intriguing fixture at The Village Green.
The hosts earned their first three points with a 2-0 victory over Sydney FC, thanks to goals from Jack Fulton and Nathan Roberts following an early red card to their opponents.
St George City, meanwhile, experienced defeat to Wollongong Wolves last weekend and have shown mixed form of late, with two wins, two losses and one draw in their last five matches.
They will be aiming to return to winning ways away from home in what looks set to be an exciting encounter.
Rockdale Ilinden FC v Sydney United 58 FC
5:00pm, Saturday 28 March – Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
In a clash of NPL Men’s NSW titans, Rockdale Ilinden will be aiming to condemn Sydney United 58 to their first league defeat of 2026.
United 58 have enjoyed an exceptional start to their season, winning all seven games so far and opening up a five-point gap at the top of the table.
Their most recent victory came over Blacktown City, where goals from Michael Krslovic and Carlos De Oliveira secured another three points following an early red card to their opponents.
However, they will be made to work for it, with Rockdale entering this match fired up as another strong Premiership contender.
With quality across the park for both sides, this promises to be an epic encounter.
Sutherland Sharks FC v Manly United FC
5:30pm, Saturday 28 March – Seymour Shaw
Later on Saturday, Sutherland Sharks will take on Manly United at Seymour Shaw.
The Sharks fell at the final hurdle in their previous fixture, conceding a 90th-minute goal to APIA Leichhardt, leaving them with six points so far this season.
Sutherland will be aiming to pick up their third win of the campaign in front of a strong home crowd.
Manly, meanwhile, are in a difficult run of form, suffering four straight defeats since their opening round victory.
They will be looking to turn things around this weekend and add valuable points early in the season.
St George FC v NWS Spirit FC
6:30pm, Saturday 28 March – Barton Park
St George FC will be looking to rebound from their first loss of the season when they take on NWS Spirit at Barton Park.
The hosts were defeated 2-1 by Marconi Stallions last weekend, conceding their first two goals after an incredible run of six consecutive clean sheets.
They will aim to return to winning ways against an NWS Spirit side who also suffered defeat in Round Seven, going down to Rockdale Ilinden.
Wollongong Wolves FC v Sydney Olympic FC
3:00pm, Sunday 29 March – Macedonia Park
Wollongong Wolves will conclude Round Eight’s action by hosting Sydney Olympic at Macedonia Park.
The Wolves secured an important result last time out, with a 1-0 win over St George City extending their unbeaten run to three matches.
They will look to continue that momentum against a Sydney Olympic side in need of a response, currently on a four-match losing streak.
After a heavy 4-0 defeat to Western Sydney Wanderers, Olympic will be highly motivated to produce a positive result and reignite their campaign.
Blacktown City FC v SD Raiders FC
3:00pm, Sunday 29 March – Landen Stadium
Blacktown City and SD Raiders will face off in another intriguing Sunday fixture.
The hosts have endured a difficult start to the season, coming into this match with five consecutive losses.
Currently level on points with their opponents, they will be eager to secure a win and move closer to their usual finals-contending standards.
SD Raiders, meanwhile, claimed their first victory of the campaign last weekend, defeating Manly United 3-1 thanks to goals from Jakov Malbasa, Noah Chianese and Riley Cox-Barlow.
They will be aiming to build on that momentum against a determined Blacktown City side.
-By Jack George
