The following are previews with betting tips for selected fixtures in Round 9 of the 2020 NPL NSW season.
Blacktown City FC vs Sydney United 58 FC
7:30PM/ FRI 25 SEP
Lily Homes Stadium
Last RD- Sydney currently lead the league having been victorious in 4 of their past 5 matches and having won 6 of 8 overall. They are a solitary point ahead of 2nd placed Rockdale and two ahead of 3rd placed Sydney Olympic. Whilst for Blacktown, they are in complete contrast to that of their rivals. They are seriously struggling at the moment in 11th place, out of the competitions 13 total teams. They have a GD of -6 and only 1 win from 8 attempts. Sydney came away with a tight 2-1 win over Marconi last round. They scored goals via Antelmi and Sim in the victory. They leaked 3 yellows, but ultimately that mattered little, as they confirmed their spot as NSW’s best in the process. And for Blacktown, they came away with their maiden victory of the season as they defeated a lethargic Manly United side 2-1 at Cromer Park last round. The away supporters made their presence known, as their side claimed the upset win. Their goals came via Bangura and Lewis. Whilst they also received 2 yellows. This was a much needed victory for them.
Key player- Mario Shabow. The former Wanderer, Jet and Mariner, is a constant presence in the midfield for Blacktown. And again he played well against Manly last Friday night. Blacktown haven’t always been able to close teams of this season as evidenced through their poor GD. And with them coming up against a quality team in the form of Sydney United, they’ll have to absolutely take most of their chances, if they are to be within a shot of claiming something from this game. Expect the former AU under 20’s international passing game to be on point, as he attempts to help lead his side to the shock victory. He’ll need to forcefully create those chances for his team mates, given Sydney should have plenty of their own.
Betting Tips- Pick Sydney United to be victorious at $1.66 (bet365)
Also pick Sydney United to score first.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC vs Sydney FC
7:00PM/ SAT 26 SEP
Popondetta Park NO.1
Last RD- Mt Druitt have just 2 wins and 2 draws to show from their opening 8 games of the season so far. Not the most ideal start, but by no means the worst either. However, they definitely need to improve their GD of -5 and they have had some pretty inconsistent form as of late, which hasn’t been particularly great either. Last round, they went down 1-0 at Lambert Park to APIA Leichardt. A disappointing result which saw them concede just the solitary yellow, but also the only strike of the match via Payne. While Sydney FC are currently in 6th spot, on 13 points. They’ve won 4 of their 8 matches so far, in what has been a decent start to the season for them. They are only 5 points of 1st place, as things currently stand. And last time out, they got hammered 4-0 by Rockdale, at Ilnden Sports Centre. Sydney’s only yellow came via Main in the 80th minute of the match. The only way from here is up.
Key Player- Patrick Wood leads all goal-scorers this season with 8 to his name so far. And as a part of a Sky Blues side looking to rebound from their thrashing, he’ll surely be on the score-sheet as his side attempts to strongly redeem themselves. And not only that, with the drastic financial cuts made to many of the A-League’s sides for next season, he’ll no doubt be looking to continue his hot form in order to perhaps score a contract with a lower-tier side. He definitely would not be astray at a club such as the Mariners or Adelaide. Expect him to be on the look out for vengeance. And perhaps, just perhaps, have the same mentality as when he put 4 past the Mariners earlier in the season. Expect him to be a focal point of this game.
Betting Tips- Pick Sydney to be victorious at $2.33 (bet365)
Also pick them to score first.
Other Betting Tips- Pick all of Manly at $3.25 (bet365), Sydney Olympic at $1.53 (bet365), Wollongong at $1.57 (bet365) and Rockdale at $1.36 (bet365) to win their respective fixtures.