The NPL Victoria Men’s competition is serving up another cracking round of fixtures, with derbies steeped in decades of history. Some matches carry extra weight, firing up the fans and stealing the spotlight. This Friday’s (6/6) blockbuster clash between Preston Lions and Heidelberg United is one of those.
The home side are desperate for the win, and not just for the points. There’s pride and passion on the line too. Heidelberg, meanwhile, are gunning to reclaim top spot. They’ll throw everything at it, fighting for the three points and hoping Avondale slip up in their Monday afternoon clash against Melbourne Victory. This match will likely come down to the wire. Both sides’ defensive nous and clinical finishing in front of goal are expected to be the difference-makers.
Preston Lions come off an away win over Altona Magic, while Heidelberg might be a touch rattled after a surprise home draw against St Albans Saints last week. The Lions are burning for points, sitting just one point clear of sixth placed Hume City, a gap too tight for comfort. This pressure could turn into anxiety, something Heidelberg’s John Anastasiadis and his squad will look to exploit. A quick goal could pile the pressure on the hosts, forcing them to push forward and leave gaps for the “yellow and blacks” to pounce. Whether you’re watching on YouTube or at the ground, this is a match you won’t want to miss. The spectacle promises to deliver.
Reigning champions Oakleigh Cannons head to bottom placed Melbourne Knights this week. The Greek Australian outfit are buzzing after last week’s cracking performance against Port Melbourne Sharks and will look to bag another three points to stay within striking distance of Heidelberg and Avondale.
Chris Taylor has no major injury headaches, bar Knowles, and is likely to field a similar starting eleven to the one that took on the Sharks. The Knights are teetering on the edge, with their chances of staying in the NPL fading fast. Each match feels like a step closer to the drop, a situation that could either spark a fightback or unravel them completely. Oakleigh will aim to capitalise on their opponents’ fragile mentality with their trademark composure and quality to secure the win and keep the heat on the ladder leaders.
South Melbourne are chasing a third straight win to keep climbing out of the relegation mire. They travel to St Albans to face a Saints side buoyed by their shock draw at Heidelberg last week. That result has the hosts hungry for more, and they’ll fancy their chances of repeating the feat against South Melbourne. For the Greek Australian side, another victory would be a massive boost, shifting the mood in the camp and injecting some much-needed optimism. It won’t be easy, but South Melbourne’s players seem to grasp the gravity of their situation and are desperate to fight their way out.
Port Melbourne Sharks face another daunting challenge this week, heading to Green Gully. The Greek Australian side can’t catch a break, with every match feeling like a horror flick. They’re walking a tightrope between success and disaster. Against Green Gully, they’ll likely adopt a defensive approach, prioritising a clean sheet while hoping to nick a goal on the counter. Max Gaydovskiy’s players are desperate for a positive result at Green Gully Reserve, but whether they’ve got the nous to pull it off remains to be seen.
VPL1
Bentleigh Greens have their sights set on victory this week. George Katsakis’ side, now level with Melbourne City at the top, are laser focused on promotion back to the NPL. They head to Kevin Bartlett Reserve to face Melbourne Srbija, a side that doesn’t pose much of a threat. A focused and clinical Bentleigh should cruise to victory with minimal fuss.
Northcote City will look to cement their spot in the top six as they host a gritty Eastern Lions. The Greek Australian side are all about the three points to stay close to the frontrunners in the promotion race.
Brunswick City, sitting seventh with the same points as Northcote, face Langwarrin at home in what feels like a must-win. At this stage of the season, every point counts, and teams chasing their goals can’t afford to drop points in matches like these.
Kingston City’s situation is looking grim. The historic Clarinda-based side are second bottom, just above Moreland City. This week, they host Caroline Springs George Cross in a do or die clash. The margins for error are razor thin, and only points can save Kingston now. Whether Tagkalakis and Tsolakis’ side have the fight and quality to turn things around remains to be seen.
VPL2
A massive derby awaits Box Hill United’s Pythagoras this Friday night. Sitting 12th, they host bottom placed Pascoe Vale in a match that could define their season. A loss for Pascoe Vale would all but seal their relegation to the State League, making them a dangerous, unpredictable opponent. Pythagoras will need to stay calm, stick to their game plan, and play with discipline to secure three crucial points and look to the future with a bit more hope.
NPL – Fixtures
Friday 6 June
Green Gully – Port Melbourne Sharks 7.30pm
Preston Lions – Heidelberg United 8.30pm
St Albans Saints – South Melbourne 8.30pm
Hume City – Dandenong City 8.30pm
Saturday 7 June
Dandenong Thunder – Altona Magic 7pm
Sunday 8 June
Melbourne Knights – Oakleigh Cannons 7pm
NPL – Standings
Team Matches Points
1. Avondale 16 39
2. Heidelberg 16 38
3. Oakleigh Cannons 16 34
4. Dandenong Thunder 16 33
5. Preston Lions 16 28
6. Hume City 16 27
7. Dandenong City 16 23
8. Green Gully 16 21
9. Altona Magic 16 17
10. South Melbourne 16 15
11. St Albans Saints 16 12
12. Melbourne Victory 16 12
13. Port Melbourne Sharks 16 10
14. Melbourne Knights 16 9
VPL1 – Fixtures
Friday 6 June
Northcote City – Eastern Lions 7.30pm
Brunswick City – Langwarrin 8pm
Saturday 7 June
Moreland City – Melbourne City 3pm
North Sunshine Eagles – Bulleen Lions 3pm
Manningham United Blues – Western United 3.15pm
Melbourne Srbija – Bentleigh Greens 6.30pm
Monday 9 June
Kingston City – Caroline Springs George Cross 7.30pm
VPL1 – Standings
Team Matches Points
1. Melbourne City 15 35
2. Bentleigh 16 35
3. George Cross 16 33
4. Bulleen Lions 15 26
5. Western United 15 25
6. Northcote 15 25
7. Brunswick 16 25
8. North Sunshine 16 21
9. Manningham 16 21
10. Melbourne Srbija 16 17
11. Eastern Lions 16 14
12. Langwarrin 16 13
13. Kingston City 16 11
14. Moreland City 16 8
