With only four sides recently playing midweek games, the Umbro Bankstown Premier League sides return for what will be the first full round since the 25th of May for the BPL competition.
This weekend’s Match of the Round features Padstow United and Panania Diggers, the only two undefeated sides in the competition. We may see one team remain undefeated after this weekend.
Earlier, Bankstown Sports Strikers will host Birrong Sports on Friday night at Padstow Park. Padstow Hornets will search for their first win in three fixtures as they host Bankstown Sports Stars at Stuart Street Reserve.
Yagoona Lions will look to recover from a tough midweek loss to competition leaders Panania Diggers as they visit Revesby Workers. Meanwhile, Georges River Thistle will aim to go three matches unbeaten as they host Central Sydney Wolves at Coleman Park.
Match of the Round: Padstow United vs Panania Diggers, Saturday 22nd June 4pm @ Playford Park
Previous Meeting: Panania Diggers 2-2 Padstow United – Rd 4, 2024
Arguably one of the most exciting matches of the season, Padstow United and Panania Diggers, both undefeated, will go head-to-head this weekend at Playford Park.
In their Round 4 encounter, both teams led at different stages, but a late goal by John Martinez for Padstow United saw both sides settle for a point each.
Despite remaining undefeated, 5th placed Padstow United have drawn four of their nine matches this season. They will be determined to secure a decisive win against the top of the table this weekend to keep their title challenge alive.
A win would leave them just four points behind Panania Diggers with a game in hand.
United will rely on Rafa Coutinho and John Martinez, who have combined for 16 goals this season, to break down a resilient Panania Diggers defence.
First-placed Panania Diggers come into this game full of confidence after a big midweek win against 3rd placed Yagoona Lions, sitting six points clear at the top of the table.
Panania have kept two consecutive clean sheets and boast the best defensive record in the competition, conceding an average of one goal per game.
Joshua Adams has been in excellent form, instrumental in their recent victories, and will be key if Panania is to remain undefeated this weekend.
In this exciting clash between two of the top teams, expect defence to be crucial as only one team may remain undefeated after this weekend’s result.
Bankstown Sports Strikers vs Birrong Sports, Friday 21st June 7:30pm @ Padstow Park
Previous Meeting: Birrong Sports 2-6 Bankstown Sports Strikers – Rd 4, 2024
Birrong Sports will look to avoid a fifth consecutive loss this weekend as they host Bankstown Sports Strikers at Padstow Park, who are aiming for an important three points.
In their Round 4 encounter, Bankstown Sports Strikers dominated, going up 5-1 within the first 30 minutes and ultimately winning 6-2.
Currently in sixth place, the Strikers are nine points behind the top half of the table. With only 27 points left in the season, every win is crucial if they are to push for finals football.
Youssef Nasreddine, who scored twice in their previous encounter, will be eager to find the back of the net again against a Birrong side that has struggled defensively this season.
9th placed Birrong Sports need to regroup as they aim to end their four-game losing streak, with their last win dating back to April 20, 2024.
Birrong has only managed to score one goal while conceding 18 in their past four matches. Improvement at both ends of the field is essential if they hope to upset the Strikers on Friday night.
With plenty at stake in the latter half of the season, both Bankstown Sports Strikers and Birrong Sports will be eager to secure three points this weekend.
Padstow Hornets vs Bankstown Sports Stars, Saturday 22nd June 4pm @ Stuart Street Reserve
Previous Meeting: Bankstown Sports Stars 1-5 Padstow Hornets – Rd 4, 2024
Padstow Hornets are winless in their last two matches and aim to get back to winning ways as they take on Bankstown Sports Stars, who are also winless in two matches.
In their previous encounter, Padstow Hornets dominated with a 5-1 victory, featuring four goals from Mike Cklamovski.
Currently 4th on the ladder, the Hornets have struggled defensively in their last two games, conceding six goals—nearly half of their total goals conceded all season.
Looking to bounce back with a big win at home, the Hornets will rely on the prolific duo of Mike Cklamovski and Manuel Angelopoulos, who have combined for 24 goals this season.
7th placed Bankstown Sports Stars are coming off two consecutive losses despite tough contests.
They will be determined to avoid a third straight defeat. In their Round 4 encounter, the Stars conceded five goals to the Hornets and will need to improve defensively to limit the chances of the Hornets’ top scorers.
With Padstow Hornets chasing a top-of-the-table battle and Bankstown Sports Stars looking to spoil their charge, expect a fast start from both sides where the first goal could be crucial.
Revesby Workers vs Yagoona Lions, Saturday 22nd June 4pm @ Marco Reserve
Previous Meeting: Yagoona Lions 4-2 Revesby Workers – Rd 4, 2024
Revesby Workers will be eager to secure their second win of the season as they host Yagoona Lions at Marco Reserve this weekend.
In their Round 4 encounter, Revesby Workers led 2-1 early in the second half before Yagoona Lions scored three unanswered goals to win 4-2.
Currently 8th on the ladder, Revesby Workers earned a point in their midweek catch-up game against Georges River Thistle, ending in a 2-2 draw.
They will draw confidence from their comeback performance, having been down 2-0 in the first half before Timothy Samuel netted twice to save a point. Samuel will be keen to get on the scoresheet again this weekend.
3rd placed Yagoona Lions had their five-match unbeaten streak ended by Panania Diggers in a tough 2-0 midweek loss to the competition leaders.
Yagoona now has two more games than most sides near them at the top of the table, and another loss this weekend could allow lower-ranked teams to close the gap. Expect Yagoona Lions to be fired up for their encounter this weekend.
With Revesby Workers vs Yagoona Lions typically featuring plenty of goals, anticipate another high-scoring affair as both teams aim for a crucial win.
Georges River Thistle vs Central Sydney Wolves, Saturday 22nd June 4pm @ Coleman Park
Previous Meeting: Central Sydney Wolves 5-2 Georges River Thistle – Rd 4, 2024
Georges River Thistle will look to capitalise on their strong form and extend their unbeaten streak to three matches as they take on Central Sydney Wolves at home.
In their Round 4 encounter, Georges River Thistle managed to come back from a two-goal deficit early in the second half, but Central Sydney Wolves responded with three unanswered goals to win 5-2.
Currently in 10th place, Georges River Thistle have a chance to move off the bottom of the ladder for the first time since Round 3, having picked up four points in their last two fixtures.
They are aware that this match will be tougher than their recent games, but with Mohamad Elzein firing in front of goal as he did in Round 4, an upset could be on the cards.
2nd placed Central Sydney Wolves haven’t played since May 25th due to wet weather, and they will be keen to resume their good form from before the break.
Marvis Oyanoghafo was the standout performer in their last match, scoring all four goals. With his current form, he is likely to find the back of the net again this weekend.
Despite being on opposite ends of the ladder, both teams are in their best form of the season, promising an exciting match full of confidence from both sides.
