Round 19 Preview – NPL Men’s NSW

The stakes are rising in the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW competition as the second half of the season gathers momentum, with every point proving crucial in a fiercely contested race across the ladder.

Manly United v Sydney United

3pm, Friday 12 June – Cromer Park

The first game of round 19 takes us to the northern beaches as Manly United take on Sydney United at Cromer Park.

Vladimir Knezevic’s young side have performed much as you’d expect a young side to do so, with many inconsistencies throughout the season so far. They’ve shown they can be a difficult unit to break down and when on, can cause serious problems for opposition teams.

With only two wins in their last five games, United have slipped to third but still sit just two points off the leading two. They should have the influential Tomoki Wada back in midfield for Friday night’s game and he could be key for Miro Vlastelica’s side.

Sydney United have defeated Manly twice already this season, once in the league, once in the cup but over the last few years, it is Manly that have had the edge over their opponents.

Marconi Stallions v Sydney FC

8pm, Friday 12 June – Marconi Stadium

Marconi Stadium will be the venue on Friday night as the league leading Marconi Stallions host Sydney FC.

Undefeated in nine games, Peter Tsekenis’ team is in excellent form. As is their long serving stalwart Marko Jesic, scoring his seventh goal of the season last weekend in what would turn out to be the only goal of the game.

The know the danger Sydney FC possesses, succumbing to defeat last time they met, one of only two losses Marconi has suffered this season.

Sydney’s form has been somewhat of a rollercoaster in recent times and probably the best way to describe it. From a 6-0 loss to the WSW, to beating NWS Spirit last weekend, this could be a key game for FC in keeping pace with finals football.

WSW v St George City

3pm, Saturday 13 June – Wanderers Football Park

Saturday’s first game takes us to Wanderers Football Park as the Western Sydney Wanderers host St George City.

The Wanderers suffered defeat for the first time in 6 games on Saturday, going down to Sydney United. Their form has seen them rise up to 7th place and are sitting just outside finals football position, points here will be important.

Mirko Jurilj would be so disappointed with his team dropping two invaluable points in the dying seconds of their game last week. Having been on their way to a massive three points to create a buffer with the chasing back, they have been dragged back in to the relegation battle.

A win would go a long way to creating some breathing space with the lower quarter of the table.

UNSW FC v St George

3pm, Saturday 13 June – The Village Green

UNSW FC are back at their fortress The Village Green on Saturday as they take on St George FC at 3pm.

Still undefeated at home since their promotion to the top tier, UNSW FC will be keen to continue that run and push on with the finals hopes. Going down last week against the SD Raiders, UNSW will look to bounce right back with a win.

Their opponents, St George FC, their struggles continue, the loss on Saturday to Sutherland Sharks making it 12 defeats on the bounce. They sit just a point above the relegation play off spot and any positive result will be golden here for them.

Sutherland Sharks v Blacktown City

5:30pm, Saturday 13 June – Seymour Shaw

Football returns to Seymour Shaw on Saturday evening as the Sutherland Sharks take on Blacktown City.

David Perkovic’s side have hit their best patch of form this season, four games without defeat, including three straight wins. This won’t be an easy game despite their opponent’s ladder position and Richard Shoueki’s goal scoring form could be vital for the Sharks.

Just as Blacktown looked to record a golden worthy point last weekend, they copped another red card and subsequently conceded which led to another defeat. At this point of the season, any points picked up by Blacktown will be important in their battle for survival.

NWS Spirit FC v Sydney Olympic

5:30pm, Saturday 13 June – Christie Park

NWS Spirit FC welcome Sydney Olympic to Christie Park on Saturday evening.

Four straight losses and Spirit have spiralled down the ladder, flirting with that dreaded relegation group below them. Snapping this five-game winless run could see them move back into finals contention and well away from the play out position.

Olympic’s form has improved over the last two weeks and confidence is high for the boys from Belmore. Getting some much needed points before the transfer window opens could be exactly what they need to set them up for what looked an impossible task of survival less than a month ago.

Wollongong Wolves v APIA Leichhardt FC

6pm, Saturday 13 June – Macedonia Park

The last game on Saturday night takes us to Macedonia Park as the Wollongong Wolves take on APIA Leichhardt.

Two consecutive defeats for the Wolves and Premiership hopes have taken a hit. It does not get much easier for them this weekend after last week’s difficult away trip to Marconi Stadium. They still have a solid buffer on 7th place and will be keen to keep that gap as it is now.

APIA remain in equal first on the ladder and know this will be one of their toughest away trips of the season. Franco Parisi’s team doesn’t mind playing against the Wolves, they haven’t lost to them since 2020 and will look to keep that run going on Saturday night.

Rockdale Ilinden v SD Raiders FC

4:30pm, Sunday 14 June – Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre

The final match of the round takes us to Ilinden Sports Centre as Rockdale Ilinden host SD Raiders.

After going three games without a win, Paul Dee’s men came away with all three points on a difficult away trip against Blacktown City. A win here will take them to back-to-back wins and start a good run of form.

Only one loss in their last five and the SD Raiders are looking to get themselves away from the danger zone. This is their first away trip after four straight at home games, in saying that, they have travelled well, picking up some big wins.

Their issue may be fatigue though, playing their rescheduled clash against Sydney Olympic on Wednesday evening.

By Nikola Pozder