NSW Premier League Grade 20s Round 20 Preview

Lurking just behind is APIA Leichhardt, who are still in with a chance of making the finals, whilst the remaining six sides are jostling for league position and Club Championship points as the season heads into what will be a thrilling final few weeks.
MATCH OF THE ROUND
SYDNEY UNITED 58 VS APIA LEICHHARDT TIGERS, 2PM SUNDAY, SYDNEY UNITED SPOTRS CENTRE
These two former NSL powerhouses do battle on Sunday afternoon, in a match critical not only to APIA Leichhardt’s top five aspirations, but also to both sides Club Championship hopes. Both Sydney United 58 and APIA Leichhardt are in desperate need of as many points as they can possibly accrue over the final weeks of the season, giving this fixture renewed importance.
In terms of this competition, Sydney United 58 have struggled badly, picking up just 18 points thus far, by virtue of five wins and three draws. They currently sit at the foot of the table, one point behind fellow strugglers Sydney Olympic. 
United do, however, have form for upsetting the top teams, including Sutherland Sharks and Blacktown City, as well as taking a draw against Manly United.
APIA Leichhardt have been in very good form of late, playing good football and picking up very good results along the way, including a late win against Rockdale City a fortnight ago and a well deserved 1-0 victory over Blacktown City at home in last week’s Match of the Round.
A win here would keep them right in the hunt for a spot in the finals with a fortnight of the season to play, however anything less than three points would spell the end of their gallant late season charge.
ROUND PREVIEW
SATURDAY
BLACKTOWN SPARTANS VS ROCKDALE CITY SUNS, 5PM, BLACKTOWN FOOTBALL PARK
Fifth placed Blacktown Spartans host fourth placed Rockdale City Suns in a huge Saturday evening fixture.
Blacktown Spartans are just one point adrift of Rockdale City, who have put together a strong season under Justin Bucciarelli and their win last weekend lifted them above Spartans and into fourth place.
Spartans likewise have been strong, Mark Zecchin’s side registering ten wins in their debut season in the NSW Premier League. A win here would just about guarantee them a finals berth, but a defeat for either side could see them fall in to the clutches of the chasing APIA Leichhardt.
MARCONI STALLIONS VS MANLY UNITED, 5PM, MARCONI STADIUM
Marconi Stallions’ season has fizzled out after a sensational start, which saw them win their first six matches.
They sit in ninth position with 23 points, making any finals ambitions highly fanciful with three rounds remaining.
Manly United however, have quietly snuck into second position, having put together a remarkably consistent season under Nigel Mahoney. With the recent slip ups from Sutherland Sharks and Blacktown City, they now sit just two points from the top of the table. If they are victorious on Saturday night, they stand a very real chance of taking out the Premiership.
SUNDAY
SYDNEY OLYMPIC VS SUTHERLAND SHARKS, 1PM, BELMORE SPORTS GROUND
Lo and behold, Sydney Olympic finally have a fixture at Belmore Sports Ground again. Sitting second from bottom though, they will hope that home ground advantage gives them an edge over the faltering league leaders Sutherland Sharks.
Indeed, were it not for Blacktown City’s wastefulness, Sutherland could well and truly have thrown away their league lead by now. Sydney Olympic have form for causing upsets this season and if they were to knock over the vulnerable Sharks on Sunday afternoon, Manly United could sniff a chance.
BLACKTOWN CITY VS SOUTH COAST WOLVES, 1PM, LILY HOMES STADIUM
Blacktown City face a banana-skin fixture of their own against South Coast Wolves at Lily’s on Sunday afternoon. 
South Coast’s young squad have impressed with their style and exuberance this season and at their best could cause some serious problems for the out of form hosts. 
Blacktown City have blown numerous opportunities to go ahead of Sutherland and now sit in third place, level on points with Rockdale City and just one point ahead of Spartans. A victory here is crucial if they are to maintain any Premiership hopes going into the final two weekends.
PARRAMATTA FC VS BONNYRIGG WHITE EAGLES, 1PM, MELITA STADIUM
Both Parramatta and Bonnyrigg need a miracle if they are to reach the top five, with such aspirations almost certainly out of reach for these two sides.
Bonnyrigg’s Club Championship status is safe, but Parramatta need all the points they can get in the final few rounds and will be looking to take the maximum possible from this match in order to boost their precarious position.
– by Matthew Connellan