Round 21 Preview – NPL Men’s NSW

Round 21 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition will throw at us some intriguing clashes all across the competition ladder with much on the line for a number of teams – this and the fact there will be new faces as the transfer window opens up until this Friday.

Let’s get to this week’s preview.

Sydney FC v Sydney United 59

7:30pm, Friday 26 June, Ilinden Sports Centre

The action kicks off on Friday night as Sydney FC take on Sydney United 58 at Ilinden Sports Centre.

Since going down 6-0 to the Western Sydney Wanderers, Sydney FC has gone three games without defeat. An impressive victory away against the Wollongong Wolves on Sunday has moved them just outside finals places and another win could see them move inside the top 6.

A tough week for United with a lot of football, but that did not affect Miro Vlastelica’s team, securing a Waratah Cup final spot and a win and a draw in that period in the league. Any dropped points could hurt United’s Premiership hopes.

WSW v Manly Untied

3pm, Saturday 27 June, Wanderers Football Park

An interesting game lies ahead of us at Wanderers Football Park on Saturday afternoon as the Western Sydney Wanderers host Manly United.

The Wanderers form has dropped of late and finals football is getting away from them. They need a reaction this weekend to stop their run of three games without a win a restart their pursuit of sixth place.

Vlado Knezevic’s young side is starting to play good football and get results now. They have suffered defeat only once in their last five games and still deep in a relegation battle, any points here away from home would be very important.

UNSW FC v Sutherland Sharks

3pm, Saturday 27 June, The Village Green

On Saturday at 3pm, UNSW FC take on the in form Sutherland Sharks.

One of the best home teams in the competition has hit a rough patch of form in recent weeks. Three consecutive losses for UNSW and another could lead them straight back into the relegation battle they want to steer clear of.

David Perkovic’s men have moved into the top six and their aim will be to continue their ascent up the competition ladder. If they are able to beat a team that has only lost once at home this season, those sitting above them on the table will be looking in their rear view mirror with some worry.

SD Raiders v St George City

5pm, Saturday 27 June, Ernie Smith Reserve

The SD Raiders host St George City on Saturday evening at Ernie Smith Reserve.

Another team with a packed schedule of late, the SD Raiders have had to rotate their squad to keep it refreshed. Ethan Beaven’s red card hurt Goran Ljuboja’s side on Sunday against United and will be without their central defender this weekend.

Yohn Pedersen has found his goal scoring touch for St George City, picking up his fourth goal in six games on Saturday. St George have found it difficult hitting the back of the net this season, if their star striker is scoring goals, they could find themselves in a much more comfortable position in the coming weeks.

NWS Spirit v Wollongong Wolves

5:30pm, Saturday 27 June, Christie Park

A massive game in terms of finals football takes place at Christie Park on Saturday as NWS Spirit host the Wollongong Wolves.

Just one win in their last five and Serge Malfara’s side has fallen off the pace for a finals spot. Should they not pick up three points here, they could drop significantly off a top 6 spot and play off football could remain just a dream.

Similarly, the Wolves have suffered four straight defeats allowing teams just outside the top six to close the gap. The longer this run goes on for, the more in doubt a Wolves finals place could be and therefore will need to stop the bleeding soon.

St George FC v Sydney Olympic

6:30pm, Saturday 27 June, Barton Park

Two teams fighting for their lives do battle at Barton Park on Saturday night as St George take on Sydney Olympic.

After breaking their losing run in some style, St George suffered a tough defeat away from last week to Manly. They are back at Barton this week with an imperative to win otherwise risk dropping into the play off relegation spot and worse still, allow Olympic to close the gap.

Sydney Olympic come into this one desperate for a win and the registration window could see some movement at Belmore to strengthen the squad. Should Olympic fail to pick up three points, survival will become all the more difficult with games to save their season running out.

Marconi Stallions v Blacktown City

3pm, Sunday 28 June, Marconi Stadium

Blacktown City travel to Marconi Stadium on Sunday afternoon to take on the Marconi Stallions.

Two teams on opposite ends of the table with, Marconi fighting for the Premiership, Blacktown for their survival.

The Stallions haven’t been prolific in the last month or so as they were in the first half of the season. Nevertheless, they keep recording victories which is most important and remain just behind APIA Leichhardt in second.

This one will require an old school Blacktown performance to ensure they come away from this one with something. The relegation battle has never been closer and at this time of the season, any points that Mark Crittenden’s men can accumulate will be massive for their survival hopes.

APIA Leichhardt v Rockdale Ilinden

4:15pm, Sunday 28 June, Lambert Park

Lambert Park will be the venue for the final game of the round as APIA Leichhardt welcome Rockdale Ilinden on Sunday.

These two met at the same venue only a couple weeks ago in the Australia Cup Qualifiers, APIA winning by the solitary goal.

The depth and quality APIA possesses is the best in the competition and the ability for Franco Parisi to be able to rotate his squad while maintaining high standards is why they are currently top of the league.

Rockdale come into this one off the back of an excellent win over Sydney Olympic in last week’s derby match. Paul Dee will be searching for consistency from his side and picking up a win here will send a message to the rest of the competition.

– By Nikola Pozder