The Wanderers need to best their rivals by six goals to claim the Premiership on the final day of the NPL regular season.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Sydney FC, 3pm at Popondetta Park, Emerton
Western Sydney will close their inaugural National Premiers League campaign with a Sydney Derby and although there’s a mathematical chance of Trevor Morgan’s side pipping the Sky Blues to the Premiership the Wanderers will almost certainly be crowned runners-up at Popondetta Park.
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Needing a six goal margin to overtake the competition frontrunners Sydney, who have already sealed the club championship and promotion into the NPL1 in 2017, the Red & Black will almost surely secure second spot on the ladder with Marconi and Bankstown City 18 and 21 goals behind the Wanderers on goal difference respectively.
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But despite its lack of impact on the competition standings, the second edition of the state-league derby is sure to be fiercely contested as Robert Stanton’s Sydney look to avenge their 3-1 loss to the Wanderers in May.
More than half of the Wanderers eleven that took to the Lambert Park pitch back in Round 13 will be unavailable this afternoon, a fitting symbol of the changes that the Red & Black have seen in the second half of the competition.
Winless in their last four, it will be another huge test of character for a young Western Sydney side looking to finish a frustrating regular season on a positive note.
The 18s will win the premiership if they defeat Sydney FC in the 11am match. 20s will finish second and they play at 1pm.
