Avondale – South Melbourne
Avondale and South Melbourne, two teams at the top of the NPL table, will face off in a great derby with no end in sight.
Both teams have had an amazing year since the start of the season, and the Greek team is coming off a great 1-4 away win against Altona Magic.
Esteban Quintas is expected to field the same lineup he lined up against the Magic, while the hosts now feel the breath of Hellas strongly as the points difference between the two teams has evaporated after the draw of the previous match against Cannons.
Let’s hope we see a derby worthy of the standings of the two rivals.
Hume City – Port Melbourne Sharks
This week, Port Melbourne face a difficult challenge as they travel north of Melbourne City to take on the formidable Hume City. Last week, the Reds suffered a tough 2-4 defeat to the Melbourne Knights, which exposed their defensive issues since the start of the year. On the other hand, the Greek team earned an away draw against Bentleigh and will be determined to stay in the top six of the standings with a good performance on the field.
Green Gully – Heidelberg United
This weekend, Green Gully will take on Heidelberg United in a match that could prove pivotal for the Greens’ season. Sitting seventh in the table, just one point behind Altona Magic, the can-do outfit of coach Stephen Downes will be looking to make a statement against Alexandros. Despite putting up a fight in their previous match against Moreland, the “yellow and black” were unable to get anything from the match. Giorgos Katsakis is expected to field an eleven with a solid midfield and aspirations to counterattack the hosts. Let’s hope that the positive face of Green Gully will appear and they can take down any division opponent on their good days.
Altona Magic – Bentleigh Greens
Pankyprios is playing his last cards in a desperate attempt to stay in the league. This season has been one of the worst in recent years for the historic club, leaving them in the relegation zone. To gain something positive from their match against Altona, a miracle will have to occur. Magic currently stands in 6th place in the table, feeling the hot breath of Green Gully who are just one place below them. The “Cypriots” view the match as a one-way road that leads to victory and securing a stay in the top six “golden” places in the standings.
NPL2
Matches for strong nerves can be found this weekend in the NPL2 schedule. Third-placed Kingston welcomes fourth-placed Manningham, three points behind the “red and whites”. With a possible victory, the “Greek” team can even find itself in first place since the pioneer Dandenong is only two points away. The top of the table will compete on Monday 14/08 at home to Bulleen Lions. An extremely difficult task awaits Northcote this weekend. The “blue and white” club will welcome the second-ranked team, Western United, on Friday night. A derby awaits the third “Greek” team in the category, Brunswick City. Leonidas will host Pascoe Vale in a duel with relegation in mind. Let us remember that the parish club is in twelfth place in the table while Pascoe Vale is in last place.
NPL3
Box Hill United face a perilous exit as they travel away from home to take on Essendon Royals. Currently sitting in tenth place in the standings, the team from the northwestern suburbs of Melbourne are treating every remaining match as a final.
The State Leagues
This weekend, Yarraville will be playing at home, welcoming the Brimbank Stallions, one of the most formidable teams in the division. Malvern will be hosting the Eltham Redbacks, while Aris, the “Yellow and Black” team, will be receiving Old Scotch. We wish all the parish clubs of all categories the best of luck!
NPL – Schedule
Saturday 12/08
Avondale – South Melbourne 15:00
Moreland – St Albans 15:00
Altona Magic – Bentleigh Greens 15:00
Hume City – Port Melbourne Sharks 18:30
Sunday 13/08
Melbourne Knights – Dandenong Thunder 16:00
Green Gully – Heidelberg United 17:00
NPL – Table
1. Avondale 24 61
2. South Melbourne 23 59
3. Oakleigh Cannons 24 52
4. Melbourne Knights 24 44
5. Port Melbourne 24 41
6. Altona Magic 24 38
7. Green Gully 24 37
8. Dandenong Thunder 24 33
9. Hume City 24 34
10. Heidelberg United 23 22
11. St Albans Saints 24 19
12. Moreland City 24 16
13. Bentleigh Greens 24 15
14. North Geelong 24 14
NPL2 – Schedule
Friday 11/08
Werribee v Langwarrin 20:15
Brunswick Juventus – Melbourne City (Y) 20:30
Northcote City – Western United (Y) 20:30
Kingston City – Manningham United Blues 20:30
Saturday 12/08
Brunswick City -Pascoe Vale 15:00
Eastern Lions – Preston Lions 15:00
Monday 14/08
Bulleen Lions – Dandenong City 20:15
NPL2 – Table
1. Dandenong 24 44
2. Western United (Y) 24 42
3. Kingston City 24 41
4. Manningham 24 38
5. Eastern Lions 24 36
6. Northcote City 24 36
7. Preston Lions 24 35
8. Bulleen 24 33
9. Melbourne City (Y) 24 33
10. Langwarrin 24 31
11. Werribee 24 30
12. Brunswick City 24 27
13. Brunswick Juventus 24 26
14. Pascoe Vale 24 23
NPL3 – Schedule
Friday 11/08
Essendon Royals -Box Hill United 20:15
Saturday 12/08
Ballarat City – Caroline Springs George Cross 15:00
Beaumaris – Nunawading15:00
Goulburn Valley Suns – Geelong15:00
Doveton – North Sunshine Eagles –15:00
Sunday 13/08
Boroondara Carey Eagles -Melbourne Victory (Y)15:00
NPL3 – Table
1. Caroline Springs 20 46
2. Melbourne Victory (Y) 20 42
3. Nunawading 20 32
4. North Sunshine 20 32
5. Goulburn Suns 20 32
6. Boroondara 20 29
7. Doveton 20 27
8. Box Hill 20 25
9. Beaumaris 20 21
10. Essendon 20 20
11. Geelong 20 18
12. Ballarat 20 17
