There is only five weeks to go in the PlayStation®4 NPL NSW competition and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Fresh from winning their second straight Waratah Cup Final, Sydney United 58 now have their eyes firmly planted on winning the PlayStation®4 NPL NSW Men’s title and will be out to extend their lead at the top of the competition.
Manly travel to Rockdale in this week’s Match of the Round and will be driven to build from their Waratah Cup final loss.
Rockdale City Suns v Manly United FC, Sunday 5pm at Ilinden Sports Centre
Paul Reid’s Rockdale has had a blip in form in recent weeks and will be determined to get their season back on track in front of their home crowd.
A loss to APIA and a draw with Hakoah midweek has allowed Manly to leapfrog the Suns into third position.
Rockdale will get Blake Ricciuto back from suspension after he was forced to sit out their match mid-week, while it could be a the highly anticipated debut for Manly’s new recruit and former Leeds Academy product Shane Cansdell-Sheriiff.
Manly will be driven to make up for their Waratah Cup final loss and could prove to be Rockdale’s toughest opposition so far this season.
There could be plenty of goals in this match with Rockdale and Manly both known for their high flying attack.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Sydney Olympic FC, Saturday 7pm at Bonnyrigg Sports Club
Bonnyrigg are clinging onto a finals place and this week has a chance to extend the gap between the chasing pack with a win against Sydney Olympic.
Brian Brown’s side has failed to fire on all cylinders this season and it has cost the reigning PlayStation®4 NPL NSW Men’s Champions.
Sydney Olympic has exceeded expectations this season and are one win outside the top five.
Bonnyrigg have dropped points at home against teams they have been expected to beat more than once this season and it could happen again on Saturday if Olympic are at their best.
Hakoah Sydney City East v Sutherland Sharks, Saturday 7pm at Hensley Athletic Field
Competition new boys Hakoah Sydney City East could cap off an incredible first season in thePlayStation®4 NPL NSW Men’s competition with a finals place as Mark Robertson’s side sit only three points outside the top five.
A clash against an in form Sutherland Sharks poses a tough opportunity for Hakoah to stake their top five credentials.
Sutherland has turned its season around in recent weeks with Carlos Villazon’s masterplan for the club slowly coming to fruition.
Anything could happen in Saturday’s match and it is sure to be a thrilling encounter for the fans.
Blacktown Spartans v APIA Leichhardt Tigers, Sunday 3pm at Blacktown Football Park
It has been a disappointing season for APIA with the Lambert Park based side struggling to find consistent form.
Despite dominating for most of the match, APIA dropped points in a 1-1 draw against Parramatta last week with frustrations growing at the club.
This week they are on the road against bottom of the table Blacktown Spartans and nothing less than a win will be enough from Danial Cummins’ side.
Blacktown will be determined to notch its first win in weeks in what has been a horror year for the Blacktown Football Park Club.
Both side’s play entertaining football but have lacked the finishing touch required to win in thePlayStation®4 NPL NSW Men’s competition.
With nothing other than pride to play for it could go either way.
Parramatta FC v Sydney United 58 FC, Sunday 3pm at Melita Stadium
Parramatta clung on to keep its finals hopes alive with a last minute 1-1 draw against APIA last round.
This week they take on a much tougher opposition in Sydney United 58.
Parramatta currently sit in sixth position on equal points as fifth placed Bonnyrigg and two points ahead of seventh placed Sydney Olympic.
Sydney United 58 come into the match after winning the Waratah Cup with confidence at an all-time high for Mark Rudan’s side.
Incredibly United 58 are only getting better so it could be a tough operation for Franco Consentino’s Parramatta team.
Wollongong Wolves FC v Blacktown City FC, Sunday 5pm at WIN Stadium
Blacktown City will look to peg back the gap between top spot when they travel to take on Wollongong on Sunday night.
It’s a tough trip for any team in the competition and it will be no different for Mark Crittenden’s side.
Wollongong has flashed moments of brilliance this season but has been unable to put in back to back performances.
Danny Choi has been in great form this season for Blacktown City and will provide plenty of headaches for the Wolves defence.
Nicolas Bernal has been a bright spot for the Wolves this season and will offer the home side’s best option in attack.
While Wollongong is out of finals contention it doesn’t mean they won’t be looking to upset the competitions front runners.