PlayStation®4 NPL NSW is set to serve up a football feast during Round 8 this weekend with four huge games on Saturday night and two further matches on Sunday.
Competition leaders Sydney United 58 hit the road to take on APIA Leichhardt at Lambert Park while competition newcomers Hakoah Sydney City East will be in the hunt for its third straight win when they host Sydney Olympic.
In the Match of the Round fourth placed Rockdale City Suns welcome second placed Blacktown City to Ilinden Sports Centre for what should be an exciting clash.
Match of the Round
Rockdale City Suns v Blacktown City FC, Saturday 7pm at Ilinden Sports Centre
Rockdale has played a consistently high standard of football this season but coach Paul Reid will be disappointed to have taken home only a point from last week’s clash with Manly United.
Toufic Alameddine, Alec Urosevski and Peter Makrillos have all been key contributors for the Suns so far this season and they will need to be at their best if Rockdale are going to take three points away from this clash.
Blacktown returned to winning ways last week with a 3-0 win against Wollongong after losing the previous round to Hakoah.
Mark Crittenden’s side has played well but has yet to hit its peak.
It could be a tough test for both teams with fans sure to be gifted an entertaining clash.
Saturday
Blacktown Spartans v Manly United FC, Saturday 7pm at Blacktown Football Park
Ben De Haan’s Blacktown Spartans will be determined to get its season back on track this weekend after a run of defeats.
Last week’s 5-3 loss to APIA once again exposed the difficulties the Spartans are experiencing in defence and De Haan will hope to sort it out before the clash with Manly.
Manly on the other hand has looked promising so far this season and is on the cusp of threatening the top two on the table with a victory on Saturday.
Manly’s attacking trio of Dejan Pandurevic, Brendan Cholakian and Luke Giverin could be in for a big performance if they are given too much room to move.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Parramatta FC, Saturday 7pm at Bonnyrigg Sports Club
Despite a solid opening few weeks, Parramatta FC has struggled in recent times but will be hoping to right the ship with a victory against Bonnyrigg White Eagles.
Last round’s 5-1 loss to Sydney United 58 was a frustrating clash for the boys from Melita Stadium.
Ibrahim Haydar has been a major signing for Parramatta and he will be out to continue his great run against Bonnyrigg.
Bonnyrigg didn’t have it all its own way last week either with a 0-0 draw against Sydney Olympic.
Brian Brown’s White Eagles has failed to step up to the form which helped it win last season’s PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Grand Final.
A win on Saturday will help get Bonnyrigg back on track.
Hakoah Sydney City East FC v Sydney Olympic FC, Saturday 7pm at Hensley Athletic Field
Victory against Blacktown City in Round 6 has energised Mark Robertson’s Hakoah side as a third straight win is up for grabs against Sydney Olympic on Saturday.
The competition newcomers has shown it can play quality football against the best the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition has to offer and will once again be ready for a big match.
Sydney Olympic has failed to hit the heights coach Grant Lee would've hoed for this season but there is still hope for the Boys from Belmore.
Hensley Athletic Field has been a tough venue for opposition teams to play so far this year and Robertson will have his players pumped up and ready to continue the trend.
Sunday
APIA Leichhardt Tigers v Sydney United 58 FC, Sunday 4.30pm at Lambert Park
This round APIA faces one of its biggest tests yet when top side Sydney United 58 FC comes to Lambert Park.
The home side will have new coach Danial Cummins in the hot seat after he replaced John Carnevale midweek.
Last round’s five goal demolition of Blacktown Spartans was great to watch for fans but it wont be as easy this week against United 58.
Panni Nikas is in fine form as is current competition top goalscorer Chris Payne. Yianni Fragogiannis has been a rock in the heart of the United 58 defence this season since joining Mark Rudan’s side in the offseason from Blacktown City.
While it isn't make or break for APIA, a win would show Carnevale’s side means business.
Wollongong Wolves v Sutherland Sharks FC, Sunday 5pm at WIN Stadium
Wollongong reruns home in Round 8 desperate to notch a win after falling short against Blacktown City last week.
Despite showing flashes of brilliance throughout the season, the Wolves are far from its best.
Coach Jacob Timpano will have his players putting in extra work this week to be ready for the clash.
Sutherland’s attacking football has captured the imagination of fans so far this season but it has to date failed to reap the rewards.
With Wollongong’s great ability on the counter attack combined with Sutherland’s attacking mindset, this match could end up in a shootout.