Round 25 Preview – NPL Men’s NSW
Only six rounds remain in the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW competition as we are dragged back into a Premiership skirmish with some games that could seriously impact the table this weekend.
Manly United v Sydney Olympic
7:30pm, Friday 24 July – Cromer Park
Manly United open proceedings in the round as they welcome Sydney Olympic to Cromer Park on Friday night.
Vladimir Knezevic’s team missed their chance to close the gap on the top 6 after they were held to a draw against Sydney FC.
Dropped points here all but diminishes their chances of taking part in finals football. They have kept three clean sheets in their past five games but it’s at the other end where they perhaps haven’t been as prolific as they’d like.
Sydney Olympic’s hopes of a remarkable escape continue and their well earnt point last week against Sutherland went a long way toward securing that position.
Manly is not an easy place to visit but the visitors will need to put that behind them. Youngsters Sebastian Kukucka and Bailey Callaghan have been impressive of late and could be important in this one for Olympic.
The addition of Filip Kurto between the sticks has also offered them some more stability.
SD Raiders v Marconi Stallions
5pm, Saturday 25 July – Ernie Smith Reserve
It’s local derby time at Ernie Smith Reserve on Saturday evening as the SD Raiders take on the Marconi Stallions.
The Raiders showed fine character over the last 10 days, recovering from a disappointing home defeat to Blacktown City, to winning in Queensland in the Australia Cup Round of 32 and then backing it up on Sunday afternoon beating the Wollongong Wolves after trailing and playing with 10-men for more than 60 minutes.
Goran Ljuboja will perhaps looks to rotate some players to give thema rest after a difficult week, one that he will struggle to keep out of the squad is Noah Chianese, coming off an impressive hat-trick against the Wolves.
The Stallions were defeated for the first time in 14 matches against another local rival, Sydney United. Their fine run of 6 games without conceding a goal also came to an end as Joel Wade was beaten by Mason Wells.
Much like the last time these two played, Peter Tsekenis will expect a reaction from his team this weekend. Still leading the league, the Premiership is in the hands of the Stallions and this will be one of their toughest away trips on the run home.
NWS Spirit v WSW
5:30pm, Saturday 25 July – Christie Park
Last chance of keeping finals football alive in this one between NWS Spirit and the Western Sydney Wanderers at Christie Park.
Both teams were defeated last weekend with the Wanderers only recording one win in their last five games.
The Wanderers were excellent for the first 45 minutes last weekend but ran out of steam in the second half against APIA Leichhardt. Awan Lual continues to shine and his importance to this side is second to none.
Spirit have a solid record at home, recording 7 wins in their 12 home games so far this season. They struggled to find the back of the net consistently but with the return of Callum Kealy and Riku Kobayashi finding form, things could turn for Spirit.
APIA Leichhardt v UNSW FC
6pm, Saturday 25 July – Lambert Park
APIA Leichhardt take on the in form UNSW FC in an intriguing clash zt Lambert Park on Saturday night.
Franco Parisi’s men had to do it the hard way last week, coming from behind three times to eventually take all three points against the WSW. Eddie Caspers showed why he has been APIA’s best in 2026, his calmness and ability to break up play with his introduction in the second half was a major reason for the turnaround.
They’ve managed to get themselves one point behind Marconi in the race for the Premiership and could potentially move back to the top of the table if results go their way.
Gabe Knowles’ team have managed to notch up three straight wins and any threat of relegation now seems long gone. It’s been a fine first campaign in the top tier for UNSW and they still have fait hopes of maybe sneaking into a finals position.
Jyden Harb picked up his 9th goal of the season over the weekend and has adjusted to football at this level with ease.
St George FC v Sydney FC
6:30pm, Saturday 25 July – Barton Park
Barton Park will play host to a massive game between St George FC and Sydney FC on Saturday night.
A week to forget for St George, losing 6-1 to Rockdale at this same venue in front of their home fans. A disappointing loss, dropping them to bottom place on the competition ladder with 6 games to go.
They need a turn of fortunes immediately and this would be the time for St George to begin their turn around now.
Sydney sit in the final play off position as things stand in the run in home. They weren’t able to win last week and really cement their top 6 place.
A win puts them one step closer to their aim of finals football and being the first academy side to take part in post regular season football.
St George City v Sydney United 58
7:15pm, Saturday 25 July – Penshurst Park
At Penshurst Park St George City take on Sydney United 58 in the final game on Saturday night.
Only one win in their last five games and St George find themselves in a very dangerous position with the chasers below them closing the gap.
They have a difficult run of games to come as well and need to try take advantage of playing at Penshurst Park.
United re-lit the flame in terms of their Premiership hopes as they defeated the Marconi Stallions last weekend. Dylan Rose and Mason Wells were outstanding, along with the whole United backline.
They need to contend with a massive Australia Cup game Wednesday night against the Central Coast Mariners.
Wollongong Wolves v Blacktown City
3pm, Sunday 26 July – Macedonia Park
Wollongong Wolves host Blacktown City at Macedonia Park on Sunday afternoon.
8 games without a win and 7 losses in that period have seen the Wolves slip out of the top 6 and need a change of fortunes quickly to put themselves back in the mix.
Luke WIlkshire returns after his FIFA World Cup commitments and will be a welcome return in the dugout for the south coast side.
On the contrary to their rivals, Blacktown City are absolutely flying at the moment. They have thrust themselves well away from a relegation battle they were in for the majority of the season and can now focus on what is to come.
Only four points off the Wolves, this would close the gap with them and as ludicrous as it sounds, if results go their way this weekend, could be only five points from finals football with a win.
Rockdale Ilinden v Sutherland Sharks
3pm, Sunday 26 July – Ilinden Sports Centre
What a clash awaits us to finish of the rounds action at Ilinden Sports Centre as Rockdale Ilinden welcome the Sutherland Sharks on Sunday afternoon.
Not only is a top four up for grabs here but also an Australian Championship position, somewhere that both these clubs want to be at.
Rockdale recovered from their news of the three-point deduction in style on Saturday night, putting 6 passed St George in a commanding performance. New signing James Temelkovski got his first goal in his new colours as the former Sutherland junior will look to haunt his old club.
Moudi Najjar’s two goals will also be a massive confidence booster to him as he has found form of late too.
The Sharks spilt two massive points last weekend and would have been disappointed they didn’t get the win.
David Perkovic’s side missed a number of clear cut opportunities last weekend and they know that they cannot afford to miss those on Sunday if they are to get the victory.
– By Nikola Pozder
