PS4 NPL NSW Round 22 Preview

After 22 long weeks the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW competition is into its final round.

Although Sydney United 58 wrapped up the Premiership two weeks ago there is still a few story lines worth watching in Round 22.

The battle for the fifth and final playoffs sport has come down to the last week of the season and it's Bonnyrigg's to lose. Sydney Olympic or even Sutherland Sharks could still poach it so there will be a lot riding on all three matches.

Blacktown City has been bunkered down in second position for most of the season but a loss on Sunday could see Manly United leap frog them.

The two sides go head to head at Cromer Park in this week's match of the round.

 

Match of the Round

Manly United v Blacktown City, Sunday 3pm at Cromer Park

Second spot is on the line in the Round 22 Match of the Round.

Manly United has Blacktown City in their scope with the Northern Beaches team riding high after wrecking Sydney United's party last week.

Blacktown had a chance to secure their spot on the table against APIA last week but were upset by the Tigers.

There will be more speed than a track meet on display as both teams feature lighting quick attackers with the likes of Danny Choi, Mitch Mallia and Travis Major going head to head against Adam Parkhouse and Dejan Pandurevic.

Expect these teams to face of again in the finals so Sunday's match could be a precursor to much bigger things. 

 

Blacktown Spartans v Sydney Olympic FC, Sunday 3pm at Blacktown Football Park

Blacktown Spartans horror year comes to an end on Sunday but not before Ben De Haan's side has a chance to shape the finals.

Sydney Olympic is desperate for a win to lock down a finals berth.

The Spartans demonstrated glimpses of their best two weeks ago in a hard fought 1-0 loss to Blacktown City.

With the stakes so high for Olympic the Spartans could be in with a shot of an upset.

Look to Jason Trifiro and Jordan Crighton as the Spartans key players while shot stopper Paul Henderson and attacking maestro Harris Gaitatzis will lead Olympic's charge.

 

Hakoah Sydney City East v Sydney United 58, Sunday 3pm at Hensley Athletic Field

Hakoah Sydney City East has won the respect of many in their first season in the NSW top flight. 

Mark Robertson's team has been tough opposition all season and that won't change on Sunday when they host this season's Premiers Sydney United 58.

Hakoah has shown a knack for frustrating teams with their tough style and they could be in with a shot of ending their season on a high note.

Sydney United 58 last week was presented with the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men's trophy but Manly United played the role of party pooper to perfection by claiming a 4-2 win.

Mark Rudan's side will be desperate to go into the finals on a high note and nothing less that a win will be enough.

 

Rockdale City Suns v Parramatta FC, Sunday 3pm at Ilinden Sports Centre

A win last week against Sydney Olympic ended a horror run of results for Rockdale City Suns and assured their spot in this season's finals.

On Sunday Paul Reid's team will be hoping to secure back to back wins for the first time since May.

Their opposition this week will be a Parramatta FC team rueing what could've been in 2016.

In prime position for a finals spot four weeks ago, Franco Cosentino's team will be enjoying an early offseason after falling off the boil during their last few matches.

Rockdale are desperate to find form but Parramatta could provide a tougher match than they'd be hoping for one week out from the finals.

 

APIA Leichhardt Tigers v Sutherland Sharks, Sunday 3pm at Lambert Park

A season of what ifs is the best way to describe APIA's season this year.

The talented side has never truly hit top gear and failed to repeat their heroics from 2015. 

In Round 22 they take on Sutherland Sharks and have the chance to end the Shire side's slim hopes of finals football.

A win against Blacktown City last week displayed the type of football APIA can deliver when on song and should be the confidence builder the Lambert Park side needs to end its season with back to back wins.

Sutherland has been a suprise packet during the final six weeks of the competition as Carlos VIlazon's early season easy beats transformed into one of the competition's toughest sides.

While their inferior points difference will make it a long shot to jump into fifth place, Sutherland will throw everything forward to do the seemingly impossible.

 

Wollongong Wolves v Bonnyrigg White Eagles, Sunday 3pm at WIN Stadium.

Wollongong Wolves holds the key to the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men's finals series and victory against Bonnyrigg on Sunday could decide the fate of up to three teams.

Jacob Timpano's side go into the weekend's matchup fresh from a mid week FFA Cup clash against A-League outfit Sydney FC and could be fired up from the biggest game of their season.

Bonnyrigg has failed to deliver this season and has seldom looked anything like the team which won last season's PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men Championship.

A win in the FFA Cup against Manly and a 5-1 drubbing of Hakoah last round has seen Brian Brown's side once again find its groove.

Bonnyrigg holds onto fifth place with 29 points ahead of Olympic and Sutherland on 27. A draw is a enough for Bonnyrigg but securing points at WIN stadium is easier said than done.