Round 24 of the FNSW League One Men’s competition sees us enter the business end of the season, with several meaningful fixtures set to take place across the weekend.

With a top-three clash at Jensen Park and a Match of the Round carrying ramifications in both the promotion and relegation battles, let’s take a look at this weekend’s fixtures.

Match of the Round: Prospect United v Macarthur Rams

Friday 17 July, 8pm, Blacktown Football Park

Our Round 24 Match of the Round is a clash that could have implications at both ends of the table, with Prospect United hosting Macarthur Rams.

The hosts have been flying under the radar of late while remaining competitive. On paper, nine losses from 23 games looks like a solid record, however their biggest issue has been turning draws into wins, having collected just two victories this season to leave them five points adrift of 14th position.

They were busy during the transfer window, with Ethan Elcham, Antonio Orlando and Takayuki Kayano joining the club and featuring in the starting line-up. However, they did lose star player Praneet Singh.

Existing players William DiMartino and Reo Hirose will be among the players to watch in this one.

If they are to keep their hopes of a top-two finish alive, this is a game Macarthur Rams need to win at the business end of the competition. There is little reason to doubt them after they produced a confidence-boosting performance against Bankstown City last weekend.

Described as one of the highest-quality fixtures of the season, the Rams finished strongly, with unlikely goalscoring source Michael Martin finding the net in back-to-back games.

The creativity of Andrea Agamemnonos and the performances of Takumi Kyutoku will also be key factors to watch.

Last meeting: Macarthur Rams 3-0 Prospect United

Elsewhere

Hurstville Zagreb v Dulwich Hill

Friday 17 July, 8pm, Penshurst Park

Hurstville Zagreb were unlucky not to claim maximum points from their trip to Hensley Athletic Field last time out.

Sitting on the cusp of the 30-point mark, they will still be looking to finish strongly as they complete their first season back in the second tier.

After the match against Hakoah, coach Valerio Silvestro was pleased with his side’s performance, which was only let down by their inability to find a second goal despite creating more chances.

They lost the first meeting between the two sides back in April, while Luca Screpis could make his club debut here.

They face a Dulwich Hill side that will once again be looking to take a major step towards survival.

Sitting on 23 points, they will likely need at most two wins to secure their place, although they enter this fixture off the back of some inconsistent form.

Last weekend, they fell to Bulls FC Academy in a high-scoring contest at home, where they nearly completed a second-half comeback.

Goalscorers Marcus Lal and Emmanuel Zervas were among their best performers on the evening. Their last victory came back in Round 15 against Rydalmere Lions at home.

Last meeting: Dulwich Hill 3-2 Hurstville Zagreb

Canterbury Bankstown v Blacktown Spartans

Saturday 18 July, 5pm, Jensen Park

Clear your Saturday plans and make your way down to Jensen Park as Canterbury Bankstown host Blacktown Spartans in a top-three clash.

With a win here and favourable results elsewhere, Canterbury Bankstown could potentially find themselves inside the top two come Sunday evening.

In tremendous form, they extended their unbeaten run to nine games last weekend with victory over Prospect United.

Leading the way once again was William Kounnas, who scored a brace to move himself to the top of the Golden Boot race. Canterbury have found the back of the net 56 times this season, the second-best attacking record in the competition.

That brings us to Blacktown Spartans, the only side to have scored more goals in 2026.

Their victory over Central Coast Mariners Academy last weekend gave them a seven-point lead at the top of the table ahead of a crucial fortnight of fixtures.

A disciplined away performance saw the Spartans remain solid defensively after scoring early. Peter Kekeris returned to the scoresheet with a brace, his first two goals for the club.

With confidence flowing, can they make it back-to-back away victories?

Last meeting: Blacktown Spartans 2-1 Canterbury Bankstown

Hills United v Hakoah FC

Saturday 18 July, 5pm, Valentine Sports Park

There is no sugar-coating Hills United’s recent form, with the side dropping points in their last four matches.

At their best, they are one of the most entertaining teams in the competition, but those performances have been harder to find in recent weeks.

Last weekend, they produced a strong second-half comeback to claim a share of the points against Inter Lions.

The positives from that match included a goal for Max Hately and another impressive performance from Brooklyn Mallia. Can a return home inspire a result here?

Hakoah have also been involved in plenty of draws recently, with four of their last five matches ending level.

Last weekend, they played out a 1-1 draw against Hurstville Zagreb at Hensley Athletic Field.

After falling behind, Cam Philpot scored his eighth goal of the campaign just a minute later to restore parity. However, they struggled to create further opportunities from that point.

Craig Sharpley’s side will be looking to improve their away record here.

Last meeting: Hakoah FC 2-0 Hills United

Inter Lions v Rydalmere Lions

Saturday 18 July, 5pm, Majors Bay Reserve

Inter Lions continued their strong home form with a 2-2 draw against Hills United last weekend.

Sitting on 25 points, they are now seven points clear of the bottom two with several matches remaining.

After taking a two-goal lead, lessons will be learned on how to manage games from winning positions, although they showed character when reduced to ten players.

James Khoury remains one to watch after scoring a brace last weekend, while Mitch Smith will miss this fixture through suspension.

They face a Rydalmere Lions side enjoying a strong run of form after a difficult mid-season period.

Three wins from their last five matches has lifted them back into the top half, with an opportunity to climb further with another three points.

Creating multiple chances early, they took the lead through Adil Toska, who is enjoying a strong season in front of goal, while Steven Kriezis produced a great late save to secure victory.

Last meeting: Rydalmere Lions 1-1 Inter Lions

Bulls FC Academy v Bankstown City

Saturday 18 July, 7pm, Sydney United Sports Centre

Bulls FC Academy returned to form in front of our cameras last weekend away from home.

Involved in an eight-goal thriller, they secured their second victory in the last month over Dulwich Hill at Arlington Oval, cementing themselves as the best of the rest in sixth place.

Motivation should be high as they face Bankstown City, with Jordan Graoroski’s performance on the left wing and Ali El-Sabeh reaching double figures for goals this season among the key talking points.

Bankstown City enter this fixture needing a victory to regain confidence and keep themselves in touch with the top-two race ahead of next weekend’s derby.

It has not been the smoothest start under Panni Nikas, but they will be looking to turn things around.

Last weekend, they shared the points with Macarthur Rams despite taking the lead. A game where both sides enjoyed good periods, Bankstown lacked a cutting edge in the final third against a well-organised defence.

A clash against an academy side could be exactly what they need.

Last meeting: Bankstown City 2-1 Bulls FC Academy

Western City Rangers v Newcastle Jets

Saturday 18 July, 7pm, Popondetta Park

Western City Rangers face a crucial fixture in their fight for survival when they take on Newcastle Jets Academy this weekend.

The Rangers sit two points below 15th position and seven points behind 14th, which currently represents safety.

Last weekend, a slow start against Rydalmere Lions ultimately proved costly despite an improved second-half performance.

Failure to take chances in the final third has again hurt them. Can they secure another important three points against academy opposition?

One of the more surprising results last weekend saw Newcastle Jets earn a point from their trip to North Turramurra.

That result provided some breathing room above the bottom two with seven rounds remaining.

Coach Chris Zoricich was pleased with the response after conceding five second-half goals against Spartans.

Luca West returning from injury and Under 20s graduate Harry Butcher, who came on early for Archie Brideson, were among the standout performers.

Last meeting: Newcastle Jets 4-3 Western City Rangers

Central Coast Mariners v Northern Tigers

Sunday 19 July, 3pm, Pluim Park

We start with the visitors Northern Tigers, who missed an opportunity to strengthen their position inside the top two last weekend.

With results elsewhere favouring the chasing pack, they settled for a point against Newcastle Jets.

Milad Popalzay’s side played good football for the majority of the match but switched off for a 30-minute period around the break.

Connor Rose was again their standout performer, scoring another brace.

Determined to respond, they will enter this fixture as favourites away from home.

They face a Central Coast Mariners side looking to prove a point after four consecutive defeats, including two at home.

Coming off a 2-1 defeat to Rydalmere Lions, it was always going to be a difficult challenge against Blacktown Spartans last Sunday.

In a cagey contest, chances were limited, so improving their attacking output will be key as they look to replicate their academy success further north against the Tigers.

Last meeting: Northern Tigers 1-2 Central Coast Mariners

-By Justin Smith