After a week off we’re back in action in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition and with the finish line in sight Round 19 is set to be another thrilling week of fixtures.

Marconi Stallions took out the Waratah Cup last week with a hard fought 2-1 win against Sydney United 58, however in the league they are locked in a seven team battle for the remaining two finals spots.

United 58, Sydney Olympic, Manly United, Rockdale City Suns, Sutherland Sharks, Mt Druitt Town Rangers and the Stallions are split by only six points with every single result impacting the playoff picture.

At the competition summit, Wollongong Wolves need only two wins from their final four games to secure the Premiership and they could wrap it up should APIA lose.

APIA still hold out hope of a miraculous late run to snatch top spot but they will need to win all four of their remaining games and hope Wollongong drop points in nearly all of theirs.

It’s a long shot but crazier things have happened in this competition.

 

Wollongong Wolves v Sutherland Sharks, 6pm Saturday at WIN Stadium

With one hand already on the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Premiership trophy, Wollongong Wolves will be out to move a step closer to a near flawless season with victory against Sutherland Sharks on Sunday.

The Luke Wilkshire coached outfit has led the league from week one and needs only five points from the remaining four matches to clinch the title.

Finding a way to win when things aren’t going their way has been the Wolves secret this season. Boasting two of the league’s most prolific strikers has also helped the team from the NSW South Coast.

Thomas James and Lachlan Scott create major headaches for opposition defences. While it was golden boot leader James who was having the most luck in front of goals at the start of the year, the extra attention he has received from opposition teams in recent weeks has given Scott more time and space to operate.

The Sharks will have their work cut out for themselves this week and come into the game on the back of their first defeat in 10 weeks.

They will also have to do so without star defender Liam McGing who has linked up with A-League club Wellington.

How Sutherland coach Terry Palapanis reshapes his backline in McGing’s absence will be vital to their playoff chances.

The Sharks are four points outside the top five and will need to almost win out their remaining games to sneak into the finals.

Sutherland has shown they are a very different team to the one which went 10 games without a win at the start of the season and against Wollongong it will take nothing short of their best.

The Wolves will be favourites for this contest but anything can happen with so much on the line.

 

Marconi Stallions v Mt Druitt Town Rangers, 7pm Saturday at Marconi Stadium 

Newly crowned Waratah Cup Champions Marconi Stallions will be hoping their recent success can kickstart a late run into the finals, starting on Saturday night against Mt Druitt Town Rangers.

Hopefully it is proof the Stallions are finding form at the right time as they remain three points outside the top five and a place in the playoffs.

In league action they have only one win and two losses from their past four matches.

They will once again be without suspended star Mitch Mallia who still has two games to serve of his four game ban though Marko Jesic has been on absolute fire.

They will take on at Mt Druitt side which remain an outside chance of making the finals in their first season in the NSW state league top flight.

They come into the game on the back of a two game skid after winning their previous four.

Goalkeeper Carlos Saliadarre saved the day against Sydney United 58 in Round 18 to earn himself a spot in the team of the week. If he can deliver another big showing then the Rangers will stand a big chance of collecting all three points.

Marconi will be favourites for this clash but they will need to be at their best if they are to get past a Mt Druitt team with nothing to lose.

It is sure to be a thrilling contest.

 

APIA Leichhardt Tigers v Sydney Olympic FC, 3.30pm Sunday at Lambert Park

It will be another grand final rematch as APIA Leichhardt takes on Sydney Olympic at Lambert Park on Sunday.

APIA still have slim hopes of snatching the Premiership from Wollongong but need to win all four of their remaining games and have Wollongong drop points in nearly all of their matches.

There will be extra motivation when they take on Olympic as APIA have lost their last two games against the Abbas Saad coached outfit including the 2018 Grand Final and their round eight contest this season.

Veteran midfielder Franco Parisi has been in inspired form the past month and he will once again be the leading light for APIA.

Olympic will be banking on their good form against APIA to help the reigning premiers cling onto their spot in the top five.

Striker Alex Sanchez will have a tough time against APIA Leichhardt’s defence but he is Olympics most dangerous player in attack and can score from the toughest of half chances.

Their is plenty riding on this match for both APIA and Olympic so expect a hard fought contest which goes down to the wire.

 

Rockdale City Suns v Blacktown City FC, 4.30pm Sunday at Ilinden Sports Centre

A desperate Rockdale City Suns outfit will be determined to keep their season alive when they host third placed Blacktown City at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.

The Suns have slumped massively since the midway point of the competition suffering through a run of humiliating defeats.

However, their early season success has them still with a slim chance of making the finals but they’ll need a huge turn around and fast.

One positive for the Suns is the return of experienced defender Trent McClenahan after a lengthy stint on the sidelines. He return couldn’t come at a better time with Rockdale’s defence screaming out for a leader to help end the constant leak of goals. While there may be a chance Panny Nikas may return to the field this Sunday after recovering from a long injury lay-off.

Their opponents Blacktown City have quietly been going upon their business this season and are starting to find their groove when it matters most.

Coach Mark Crittenden has a knack for getting the most from his players and he has done that again this season especially after losing so many of his regular starters in the off-season.

Defence has been the corner stone of Blacktown’s success this campaign and they will rely on stars Grant Lynch and Matt Smith to help marshal the back line.

Striker Joey Gibbs is starting to rediscover his eye for goal after a lean start and he will play a big role moving forward.

Blacktown go in favourites for this clash and should take home the points if Rockdale is unable to shake off their recent struggles.

 

Hakoah Sydney City East v Manly United FC, 5pm Sunday at Hensley Athletic Field

Hakoah Sydney City East will be out to play the role of disruptor on Sunday as they take on Manly United at Hensley Athletic field.

Anchored to the bottom of the table, Hakoah’s season has been a bit of nightmare but they will try to find consolation in finishing the season on a high note and hope it is enough to avoid relegation.

Hakoah can be proud of their defensive effort this season with captain Brad Walker marshalling a defence which is tough to break down. The performances from keeper Ryan Norval have also been impressive.

However, at the end of the day you need to score goals to win football games and Hakoah’s limp attack has offered very little going forward. They will need to solve that problem fast if they are to taste success across their final four matches.

Their opponents Manly United have also hit the skids in recent weeks and will be hoping a clash against the league’s bottom team is a chance to get back in the winners circle.

Three straight defeats and four in their last five games has seen Manly drop out of the top five and left them needing a rapid turn around to avoid missing out on the post season.

Both defence and attack needs improvement with Manly conceding eight goals in their past three while scoring only two.

Coach Paul Dee will need to find the solution fast as time is running out for the boys from the Northern Beaches.

 

Sydney United 58 v Sydney FC, 3pm Sunday at Sydney United Sports Centre

A big bounce back performance is on the cards from Waratah Cup runners-up Sydney United 58 as they host Sydney FC on Sunday at Sydney United Sports Centre.

Last week’s defeat in the cup final was a heartbreaking result for The Reds but they will need to quickly refocus to ensure they don’t slip out of the top five.

It hasn’t been the best of runs for United in the league either with three frustrating draws from their past three games.

The Reds outfit has been blunt in attack and it has cost them dearly. They have scored only one goal in their last four league fixtures.

They will be without Uruguayan creator Sebastian Gallegos for their final four matches as he has returned back to his homeland while Matthew Bilic will also miss the match after receiving a red card against Marconi in the Waratah Cup final.

Tomislav Uskok is expected to return to the lineup after a week off.

The pressure will be on Glen Trifiro and Peter Simonoski to discover a solution to the team’s scoring woes.

Their opponents Sydney FC come into the match riding high after a big 3-1 win against Sydney FC in the last round.

It ended a five game losing streak for the Young Sky Blues who have struggled over the back end of the competition.

Coach Jim van Weeren has had a tough time playing a full strength squad each week but has done well to make the most of a tough situation.

Sydney FC have remained energetic and enthusiastic in all of their matches but have been let down by moments of inexperience or a drop in concentration.

United 58 will be favourites for this contest but don’t write of Sydney FC who have shown they have what it takes to push the league’s best teams.

It’s round 18 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition and the pressure couldn’t be higher the regular season enters the final straight especially after Football NSW announced that it will be hosting the 2019 Grand Final at the wonderful Bankwest Stadium on Saturday August 31st. 

There is only five games left meaning every match counts.

Wollongong Wolves remain in pole position and could wrap up the premiership title by round 20 if results go their way.

However, APIA Leichhardt will be out to stop them starting with their match against third placed Blacktown City on Sunday.

It is an even split of matches across Saturday and Sunday this week with three games on each day starting with Sutherland Sharks clash with Marconi Stallions at 6.30pm on Saturday.

Sutherland Sharks v Marconi Stallions, 6.30pm Saturday at Seymour Shaw Park

The incredible late season run of Sutherland Sharks will be tested on Saturday as they take on Marconi Stallions at Seymour Shaw Park.

The Sharks are only one point outside the top five and a possible playoff spot and have gone their past nine game undefeated including three wins from their past five.

It is a spectacular turnaround from the Sutherland Shire based team who incredibly went ten games without a win to start the season.

Coach Terry Palapanis has the team firing on all cylinders and that was none more obvious than last week’s 5-0 away win against Manly United.

What would’ve been most satisfying for Palapanis from the result is the performance of the club’s veterans with Raul Romero and Mateo Poljak both contributing goals.

They will be needed to put in other big showing this week to get past a driven Marconi outfit.

Another player that stood out was former Sky Blues midfielder Jerry Skotadis.

He was everywhere against Manly United, and come Saturday, will be a marked man.

The Stallions have had a disappointing season but still hold their finals hopes in their hands.

A hard fought scoreless draw after being reduced to ten-men demonstrated a resolve many would’ve felt didn’t exist in Marconi’s star studded outfit.

As a result of the red card last week, Marconi will be without influential attacker Mitchell Mallia this week which will force a reshuffle in attack.

The result of this match could play a huge part in deciding the finals fate of either team with only five games left in the regular season.

Expect a game where everything is put on the line in chase of victory.

 

Sydney FC v Rockdale City Suns, 7pm Saturday at Lambert Park

Sydney FC will be determined to end their five game losing streak when they take on Rockdale City Suns at Lambert Park on Saturday.

It’s been a horror second half of the season for Sydney FC but at home against a Rockdale City Suns team going through a slump of their own they will be hopeful of collecting all three points.

A plucky performance against Blacktown City in a 3-1 defeat showed their is signs of life for the Jimmy van Weeren coached team.

Young midfielder Ryan Teague has been tipped for a promising professional career and he has been in good form in a losing side.

Teague, alongside Luke Ivanovic and Joel King offer Sydney FC plenty of quality and they will need to get the most out of the trio if they are to win.

Rockdale have slumped to one of the lowest points of their campaign losing five of their past six games.

In that time their defence has once again came under the spotlight after conceding 16 goals.

Interim coach Nick Porecca is scrambling for answers and he will need to find them quick if they are somehow to sneak into the finals.

It’s a big game for Rockdale but Sydney FC won’t be easy beats. It’s a match which could go either way.

 

Mt Druitt Town Rangers v Sydney United 58, 7pm Saturday at Popondetta Park

A four game winning streak may have come to an end but Mt Druitt Town Rangers shouldn’t be written off when they host Sydney United 58 on Saturday.

The Rangers were on the wrong side of a Wollongong Wolves onslaught in round 17 4-1 defeat.

This week will be about a bounce back showing and they will look to veterans Mirjan Pavlovic and Fabricio Fernandez to deliver the X-factor required.

Coach Aidan Desmond will need to make a few changes after the send-off of Blake Thompson last week meaning he will be unavailable for this clash.

United 58 come into the game after a frustrating 0-0 draw with rivals Marconi last round.

Despite the Stallions playing most of the match with only ten-men, United couldn’t break them down and had to settle for a point in a match they probably should have won.

Reds gaffer Miro Vlastelica will have big decisions to make to help re-ignite his team’s season after their recent stumbles.

United 58 will be favourites but the result is far from a sure thing with Mt Druitt at home a tough team to beat.

 

Manly United v Sydney Olympic, 3pm Sunday at Cromer Park

A shock thrashing at the hands of Sutherland last week will be the driving force pushing Manly United  towards a big bounce back performance against Sydney Olympic on Sunday.

It was the second straight loss for Manly and was a tough reality check for the team from the Northern Beaches.

The pressure will be on coach Paul Dee to spark new life into his hot and cold United team.

Travis Oughtred will slot back into the team after receiving a red card last round as his one match suspension was served during the TAFE NSW Waratah Cup Semi Final match against Marconi Stallions played out on Wednesday.

Sydney Olympic come into the contest after breaking into the top five last round with a win against Rockdale City Suns.

Abbas Saad’s side may not be playing the same football which guided them to a premiership and championship double last season but improved form in recent weeks has given them hope of making the finals.

Star striker Alex Sanchez will be a key omission from the squad as he is serving a one week suspension which means a lot of pressure will now ride on the likes of  skipper Jason Madonis and Radovan Pavicevic, while look to Nicola Kuleski for a big game in midfield.

It’s a match not to miss with plenty riding on the result.

 

Blacktown City v APIA Leichhardt Tigers, 3pm Sunday at Lily Homes Stadium

It will be a clash of the titans at Lily Homes Stadium on Sunday when second placed APIA Leichhardt Tigers travel to take on Blacktown City.

four points separate the two sides on the ladder and a loss in Sunday’s match could all but end Blacktown’s hopes of a potential top two finish.

A 3-1 win against Sydney FC in round 17 was a big result for City headlined by a highlight reel bicycle kick  goal from Joey Gibbs to clinch the result.

Coach Mark Crittenden has used a more conservative game plan this season to help cover the exodus of attacking stars from last season’s team and it appeared to stifle their attack all together in the first half of the campaign.

However, Blacktown has found their groove and the goals are now flowing freely with Gibbs closing in on top form.

APIA on the other are in near finals form and three straight wins is proof of that.

A big part of that form is 36-year-old veteran playmaker Franco Parisi who has played the house down in all three matches including a return of three goals and three assists.

The Tiger’s defence has also stood up conceding only one goal in their past three games.

Themba Muata-Marlow could be reintroduced to the centre of defence after serving a one game suspension but he will have a tough time to fight his way into the team.

This is the standout match of the round and one not to miss.

 

Wollongong Wolves v Hakoah Sydney City East, 3pm Sunday at WIN Stadium

League leaders Wollongong Wolves will be determined to stretch their lead at the top of the table when they host Hakoah Sydney City east in a special NAIDOC themed clash at WIN Stadium on Sunday.

The Wolves will play in a special commemorative strip for the match in honour of NAIDOC Week and will hope it helps them to another great performance.

A second-half flurry helped the Luke Wilkshire coached outfit to a 4-1 win against Mt Druitt Town Rangers in round 17.

While Golden Boot leader Thomas James added another goal to his tally, it was Lachlan Scott who stood out scoring two goals and proving Wollongong’s attack is more than one dimensional.

Expect to see both Scott and James desperate to find the back of the net this week.

It has been a horror season for the competition’s bottom team Hakoah with only four wins all season.

They will be in for an almighty challenge with a tough road trip away to the Wolves.

Last week, they suffered yet another defeat as APIA cruised to a 3-0 win.

Goals have been one of the biggest weaknesses of Hakoah’s season with the Gavin Rae coached time scoring only 10 goals in 17 games.

Against the leagues best defence Hakoah’s front third could be in for another frustrating display.

Wollongong are strong favourites for this match but if Hakoah can snatch an early goal and remain disciplined then an upset could be on the cards.

It’s round 17 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition and with only six weeks to go until the end of the regular season the pressure is mounting with the battle for the Premiership and finals set to go down to the wire.

This week’s fixtures get underway on Saturday night as first placed Wollongong Wolves travel north to take on a resurgent Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Popondetta Park.

Sunday will feature five matches starting at Cromer Park as Manly United take on Sutherland Sharks,

Round 17 will also feature two big derby matches as Sydney Olympic take on Rockdale City Suns, while Sydney United 58 host Marconi Stallions in the final match of the weekend at Sydney United Sports Centre.

 

Mt Druitt Town Rangers v Wollongong Wolves, 7pm Saturday at Popondetta Park

A resurgent Mt Druitt Town Rangers will be hoping to make it four wins on the trot with an upset victory against competition front runners Wollongong Wolves at Popondetta Park on Saturday night.

They’ve been one of the form side’s of the competition and one not too many of the top five teams would want to face come the latter stages of the competition.

The Rangers have been in inspired form in June with three wins and a draw from their past four matches to move only three points outside of the top five.

However, the Aidan Desmond coached side will face a major test against the Wolves who have lost only two games this season and hold a five point lead over second place.

A mid-season reshuffle has been a big part of Mt Druitt’s recent success with the acquisition of strikers Mirijan Pavlovic and John Roberts helping kick start the Rangers late season run.

The form of Uruguayan Fabricio Fernandez has also played a major role and his hat-trick last week against Sydney FC was his best performance of the season.

Expect Desmond to give the trio of Pavlovic, Roberts and Fernandez plenty of opportunities to take over the match and challenge a disciplined Wollongong defence.

The Wolves come into the match after defeating Sydney Olympic 2-0  to notch their 11th win of the season

After years of failing to live up to their potential, Wollongong has finally delivered and it’s taken a rebuild from former Socceroos defender Luke Wilkshire to achieve the highs their fans have been craving for years.

The goalscoring of English striker Thomas James has been a big part of their success this season, but last week former Wanderers striker Lachlan Scott chipped in with a brace to prove the Wolves attack is far from one dimensional.

Wollongong’s defence shouldn’t go unnoticed either with the unit led by Nick Littler and Nikola Djordjevic along with Taylor McDonald helping their side concede less than a goal a game so far this campaign.

The two defeats suffered by the Wolves this season have been at home with the side maintaining a perfect record on the road.

Saturday’s match against a very much in-form Mt Druitt team could end that record if Wilkshire’s Wolves outfit don’t come prepared for a battle.

Wollongong will be the favourites but if the Rangers last three matches are any to go by, their new attacking trio could prove game changers yet again.

 

Manly United v Sutherland Sharks, 3pm Sunday at Cromer Park

It’s been a roller-coaster season for Manly United and the Northern Beaches based side will be looking to bounce back yet again when they host Sutherland Sharks on Sunday at Cromer Park.

Inconsistency has plagued Manly in 2019 with the only constant in their season being their ability to follow a big win with a defeat.

The Paul Dee coached side has struggled to string together back to back wins and it has hampered their finals chances.

Manly clung onto their spot in the top five despite A 1-0 loss on the road against Blacktown City last round.

Dee has stayed strong with a familiar line-up for most of the season only rotating his attacking weapons in Dejan Pandurevic, Adam Parkhouse, Scott Balderson, Brad McDonald and Charles Mendy.

Expect more of the same against the Sharks.

Sutherland come into this match on the back of a heartbreaking draw against Sydney United 58 where they conceded in the dying seconds to miss out on a valuable three points.

Nevertheless it has been a Herculean fightback from Terry Palapanis’s team this season as they have lifted themselves off the bottom of the ladder and 10 straight matches without a win to now be on a nine game undefeated streak.

The Sharks are a dark horse for finals football if they can keep the streak alive and have new signings Bai Antoniou, Jerry Skotadis and Liam McGing to thank.

The former Sydney FC teammates have hit the ground running at Seymour Shaw Park to give Sutherland a new spine which has transformed them into unlikely contenders.

Expect Palapanis to utilise the foursome to full effect on Sunday but will need to do it without the in-form Charles Lokolingoy who was given his marching orders at Edensor Park last Sunday.

Sutherland’s recent form makes them a very tough competitor but Manly are strong at their Cromer Park home ground.

It’s set to be a thrilling match-up.

 

Blacktown City FC v Sydney FC, 3pm Sunday at Lily Homes Stadium

Third placed Blacktown City will be hoping to further cement their spot at the top end of the table with a win against a struggling Sydney FC team at Lily Homes Stadium on Sunday.

Mark Crittenden’s men have gone quietly with their own business making a surge into the current top five placings.

Blacktown ground out a hard-fought 1-0 win against Manly last round to claim their first victory in three games and will look to this match as a valuable opportunity for another three points.

Joey Gibbs found the back of the net for only his fifth goal of the season as the former Newcastle Jets and Sydney FC front man struggles to reach his usual high scoring output without his previous teammmates in the form of Mitch Mallia and Danny Choi.

Emmanuel Gonzalez and Leroy Jennings are slowly building a chemistry with the veteran striker and it could prove dangerous for opposition teams once it all clicks.

Looking to stop them is a Sydney FC team which last week slumped to their fourth straight defeat.

The Young Sky Blues have been doing it tough with a new intake of youth stars trying to adapt to the hustle and bustle of NSW’s premier football competition.

However, it’s not all bad news for coach Jimmy van Weeren with his squad bristling with quality across the park and the ability to test the competitions top teams for stretches.

Marco Tilio is one player who can break open a game in an instant and is sure to create headaches for the Blacktown City defence while the return of Jordi Swibel could once again propel the Sky Blues to victories. That and the recent run of good form of Ryan Teague, expect goals and excitement from van Weeren’s men.

Blacktown will be favourites for this match but they could be forced to save face if they don’t give Sydney’s up and coming stars the respect they deserve.

 

APIA Leichhardt Tigers v Hakoah Sydney City East, 3.30pm at Lambert Park

Nothing short of victory will be enough for APIA Leichhardt Tigers as they host bottom of the ladder Hakoah Sydney City East on Sunday.

APIA flexed their muscles against Rockdale City Suns last week to record a 5-1 win with veteran star Franco Parisi delivering a throwback performance as he claimed a brace in the victory.

It sets up a scary prospect for the visiting Hakoah as they prepare to take on a Tigers side near the peak of their powers.

Injury and squad depth has concern for the Tigers this season so don’t be surprised if coach John Calleja uses this match to rest some of his veteran players.

One player that has to be signaled out from the Tigers back-line has been that of the hard hitting form of defender Paul Galimi. He, along side Josh Symons have really formed a great combination and along with the return of suspension of Themba Muata-Marlow, the team will certainly go from strength to strength.

Another player from the APIA camp that has also lifted up a gear has been the form of Michael Kouta – expect a big game from him against his former club.

Hakoah come into this game on the back of their first win since round four and will be filled with confidence.

Adrian Vranic has given a new dimension to their attack since arriving a fortnight ago which played a big part in last weeks victory.

Expect Hakoah boss Gavin Rae with stick with the same team from last week as they set out to snag another big upset.

APIA will be firm favourites at home and if they can deliver a solid performance should be able to get the job done.

 

Sydney Olympic FC v Rockdale City Suns, 4pm Sunday at Belmore Sports Ground

Fierce rivals Sydney Olympic face off against Rockdale City Suns at Belmore Sports on Sunday with both sides battling to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

Olympic suffered a 2-0 loss to Wollongong Wolves last week and have only won one match of their past five.

Coach Abbas Saad will hope the return to Belmore Sports Ground could inspire his side to a much improved performance than they delivered seven days ago.

Look to the usual suspects of Alex Sanchez and Jason Madonis to lead the charge for Olympic who are in desperate need of the points in stopping the rut of losses for 2019.

Rockdale come into this match at one of their lowest points of the season after copping a 5-1 flogging at the hands of APIA Leichhardt Tigers.

They have lost four of their past five matches conceding a total of 15 goals during that period.

The Suns have slumped back into the same mistakes which cost former coach Paul Reid his job earlier this season.

Coach Nick Porecca will be desperately searching for answers in an attempt to salvage their campaign and will hope that his back-line tighten their grip against the Blues.

Trent McClenahan played important minutes in the club’s 20’s side and they will need him to come back into the squad in further strengthening the club’s defence.

 

Sydney United 58 v Marconi Stallions, 5pm Sunday at Sydney United Sports Centre

Nothing less than a win  will be good enough for Sydney United 58 on Sunday as they play host to local rivals Marconi Stallions at Sydney United Sports Centre on Sunday in the competition’s final match of round 17.

Not a bad way to end the round right?

Inconsistency and basic errors have crept into United 58’s game in recent weeks with the club determined to iron out any issues sooner rather than later.

Peter Simonoski helped snatch a last gasp draw against Sutherland Sharks in round 16 to avoid the side slumping to a second straight loss.

With the pressure building on the mid-table teams to secure their place in the top five, United 58 will be desperate to take home all three points.

After a second straight loss, their opponents Marconi will be just as desperate to turn their season on its head.

Defeat at the hands of bottom side Hakoah was a cruel reality check for the Stallions star studded squad and with only six games left the pressure will be on them to perform.

Marconi put five past United 58 when the two clubs faced off in this derby clash in Round 5 and are sure to be using that match as inspiration.

That defeat is sure to be in the back of the minds of United 58 coming into this clash.

Expect plenty of feeling from both sides in this match which should make for an exciting clash.

Round 16 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition has arrived and it is sure to be another big week of action around the grounds.

Finals implications are set to impact nearly every match from this point on with every competition point making a difference.

Wollongong Wolves have been on top of the table for an incredible 15 weeks and will be out to stretch it to 16 when they host reigning premiers Sydney Olympic on Sunday.

While there is only one game on Saturday night this week, a clash between Sydney FC and Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Lambert Park, Sunday will be a football feast with five matches taking place.

The Match between second placed APIA Leichhardt Tigers and rivals Rockdale City Suns at Ilinden is the pick of the days action.

 

Sydney FC v Mt Druitt Town Rangers, 7pm Saturday at Lambert Park

Sydney FC will be out to end a three game skid when they host an in-form Mt Druitt Town Rangers side on Saturday night at Lambert Park.

Jimmy van Weeren’s side has slumped to defeat in their last three games and will be hoping a return home will help them in their battle to avoid relegation.

What’s even more concerning for the Young Sky Blues has been how poor they have been defensively over the past three matches conceding 12 goals while only scoring three.

The loss of key players Liam McGing and Jerry Skotadis is sure to have had a major impact on Sydney FC’s structure in both midfield and defence.

Against Wollongong in Round 15, Sydney held strong against the league’s best attack during the first half but fell away in the second stanza.

Van Weeren will be pushing his players at training this week so they can go the full 90 minutes against Mt Druitt.

FC’s rising young keeper Thomas Heward-Belle has no doubt played a role in keeping the Sky Blues at bay and will need to be at his best on Saturday.

The Rangers come into this game with back to back wins and have been unbeaten from their last three matches.

It has been a rapid turnaround for the Popondetta Park based side who have struggled at times this campaign to match it with the competition’s top teams.

Mt Druitt has been active in the transfer market and it appears to have given the team a new vigour.

Last week’s 2-0 upset of Rockdale City Suns was evidence of this and coach Aiden Desmond will be hoping his side can make it a treble of wins against Sydney.

Fabricio Fernandez and John Roberts were the goal scorers last week with the former Wanderer’s striker helping give the Uruguayan midfielder a new lease on life.

Mt Druitt can be a formidable attacking force on it’s day so Sydney will need to be at their best.

The departure of Rangers captain Matthew Clowes hasn’t had as big of an impact as fans anticipated but the midfield will face a challenging test this week against a young and energetic opponent.

Mt Druitt will hold the title of favourite coming into this contest but It very well could go either way.

 

Blacktown City FC v Manly United, 3pm Sunday at Lily Homes Stadium

A shock defeat last week will have Blacktown City driven to bounce back in a big way when they host Manly United at Lily Homes Stadium on Sunday.

Blacktown City were stunned by a resurgent Sharks outfit and would’ve been shut out completely if it wasn’t for a late goal from new recruit Lachlan Campbell.

Former Western Sydney Wanderers youth prospect Campbell has been an inspired acquisition from City coach Mark Crittenden and looks like the club’s next big star if recent performances are anything to go by.

Crittenden will surely lean on the young defender once again this week as they face off against the skilful and pacy attack on Manly United.

One issue for City has been the lack of goals and Crittenden hopes both Joey Gibbs and Leroy Jennings can find their way to goal come Sunday.

Manly United snatched a narrow 1-0 at home last week and come into this game in solid form with three wins from their past five matches.

However, consistency has been Manly’s biggest weakness this season with the Paul Dee coached side struggling to deliver back to back performances.

That and a midweek TAFE NSW Waratah Cup Elimination Final fixture to contest with.

The match will be a meeting of former teams for United winger Charles Mendy who played at Blacktown last season, While Blacktown’s Daniel Bragg will also come up against some old teammates from his time at Cromer Park.

Blacktown should have the upper hand in this game but both sides have their weaknesses so it could go either way.

 

Wollongong Wolves v Sydney Olympic FC, 3pm Sunday at WIN Stadium

In 2019, Wollongong Wolves have been the benchmark in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition but this week they will need to prove themselves against the best team from last year when they host Sydney Olympic at WIN Stadium on Sunday.

The Wolves have lead the league from the opening day of the campaign and have rarely missed a beat in 15 weeks.

The Luke Wilkshire coached side come into this week’s game on the back of a 4-0 win last round against Sydney FC despite struggling to hit their straps until the final 20 minutes of the match.

While Golden Boot leader Thomas James, currently on 18 goals, has been the goalscoring hero for Wollongong, it has been their no fuss defence which has been the major difference.

Nikola Djordjevic and Nick Littler have marshalled a tight defence which has conceded only 13 goals.

It will make it a tough trip down to the South Coast for reigning premiers Sydney Olympic who have had very different fortunes to their opponents this week.

While everything seemed to go right for Olympic 12 months ago, it couldn’t be more different this time around with the Abbas Saad coached team struggling for results and good form.

Currently sitting in seventh position, Olympic has won only one game in their past five.

Saad has been forced to shuffle his squad around to find a winning formula with last season’s star defender Tom Whiteside a shock omission from the starting line-up in their 1-0 win against Hakoah last Sunday.

It will be interesting to see if Whiteside is returned to the team against a potent Wollongong attack.

One player that caught the attention of many at Lambert Park last Sunday was young gun Peter Kekeris. The former Central Coast Mariners attacker was everywhere and showed his class with a well taken goal that gave the Blues all three points.

The Wolves will be heavy favourites for this game at home but it has been at WIN Stadium where Wollongong had the only two losses of their season so far.

 

Rockdale City Suns v APIA Leichhardt Tigers, 4.30pm Sunday at Ilinden Sports Centre

Rockdale City Suns will be desperate to end their recent form slump and get a win against rivals APIA Leichhardt Tigers when the tow teams go head to head at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.

Rockdale has had one win and three losses from their past five games to fall outside the top five.

They will be out to end that slide against a team they have struggled against in recent times including a 4-0 loss to APIA in round 4 which ultimately proved to be former coach Paul Reid’s final match in charge before he was sacked.

A loss to Mt Druitt last week was another bitter blow for the Suns who were riding high at the top end of the table at the midpoint of the season.

Star signing Panny Nikas’ injury woes has proven costly for the club with the mercurial midfielder featuring in only six of 15 games so far with his last appearance in team colours coming over a month ago.

Nikas’ absence has left the club with a big hole in attack and heaping more pressure on star winger Alec Urosevki along with Jordan Figon to carry the load. While the club has moved swiftly to recruit former player Nikola Taneski for the rest of the NPL NSW Men’s season after making the switch from Manly United where the striker had limited minutes at Cromer Park.

Veteran defender Trent McClenehan’s injury layoff has also been felt with the side struggling too stop opposition attacks.

Interim coach Nick Porecca will have a big job to do this week if he is to keep out a fired up APIA team driven to close the gap between them and Wollongong at the top of the table.

The Tigers showed off what they’re made of in last week’s incredible backs to the wall 1-0 win against Sydney United 58 despite playing more the two thirds of the match with only 10-men.

It is a result which is sure to steel the APIA squad moving forward.

Injuries and suspension could be the undoing of the John Calleja coached side with the first year team manager forced into another reshuffle this week to cover Themba Muata-Marlow’s suspension.

Nick Stavroulakis could be in line for extra minutes in midfield after coming on as a late substitute in his first two matches for his new club.

Dom Nasribadi could also see more time on the pitch after his impressive showing against United 58 while Chris Payne will be fired up in hitting the back of the net at Rockdale.

Club stalwart Franco Parisi had a man of the match performance against United 58 last Sunday and it will be his experience  that could unlock the Suns defence.

APIA have seemingly had Rockdale’s measure in recent times and it is a fact which will surely rankle with those at the Ilinden Sports Centre club.

The Suns have a point to prove this week so expect a thrilling match-up.

 

Hakoah Sydney City East v Marconi Stallions, 5pm Sunday at Hensley Athletic Field

Hakoah Sydney City East will be hoping to stop a horror run of nine straight defeats when they host Marconi Stallions on Sunday night.

It has been the season from hell for Hakoah with their strong results from the opening four weeks seeming like an eternity ago with the team slumping to one of the worst run of results in the club’s history.

Coach Gavin Rae will be hoping a return to the familiar surround of their Hensley Athletic Field home ground is the formula to help his side snatch a much needed win.

Hakoah has made two big signings in recent weeks with the addition of Pedj Bojic and Adrian Vranic bolstering Rae’s options in both attack and defence.

Goals have been the Eastern Suburbs based club’s biggest weakness and they will be desperately hoping that Vranic is the answer to their goalscoring woes.

They come up against a side which hasn’t had those problems this season in Marconi Stallions.

The Stallions boast one of the most deadly attacks in the competition but suffer from a bad case of inconsistency which struck last week as they suffered a 1-0 loss on the road against Manly United.

Marconi will have a point to prove this week and will have their eyes set on a big win against the league’s bottom team.

Currently in eighth spot, the Peter Tsekenis coached Marconi team have to finish the season on a high note if they are any chance of snatching a spot in the finals.

Anthony Frangie returns to take on his old side in Hakoah and will want to put in a big performance at the ground where his breakthrough performances helped him become one of the leagues rising stars.

Marconi will be out to inflict a huge loss on Hakoah so expect the visitors to race out of the blocks.

Hakoah will be in for a tough test but if they can snatch a point from this contest it could be the building block for sunnier times over the back end of the campaign at Eastgardens.

 

Sydney United 58 v Sutherland Sharks, 5pm Sunday at Sydney United Sports Centre

A big bounce back performance should be on the cards for Sydney United 58 as they return home to Sydney United Sports Centre to take on Sutherland Sharks this Sunday night.

United 58 paid the price for not making the most of their opportunities last round as they suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to a 10-man APIA Leichhardt Tigers side.

It’s been a tough month for Miro Vlastelica and his Reds team as they’ve won two and lost three from their past five matches.

The addition of former Melbourne Knights defender Tomislav Uskok has helped solidify the United 58 defence and it will be needed against a Sharks team which has gone from easy beats to competition dark horse.

Goals remain an issue for Sydney United 58 as Peter Simonoski remains as the leading scorer on 7 for the year.

Their opponents Sutherland have made the most of the mid-season transfer window to transform their team.

Liam McGing, Jerry Skotadis, Bai Antoniou and Charles Lokolingoy all now call Seymour Shaw Park home with the former Sydney FC youth stars combining in a big way for coach Terry Palapanis.

Antoniou was the form player last week as the Sharks stunned Blacktown City to stretch their unbeaten run to an incredible 8 weeks including three wins from their past four matches.

The Sharks know that they’ve turned the screws for the second half of the year and have come into it as a team on a mission in making a late surge for finals football.

This match has potential to be the best of the weekend and one you shouldn’t miss.