- Blacktown City U20's form is improving but inconsistent. Rockdale Ilinden U20 have been extremely inconsistent. Blacktown City U20 average over two goals per game in several recent NPL NSW U20 league windows.
Two of the best young teams in NPL NSW U20s go head-to-head
Blacktown City U20 are looking to move into the top half of the table and have been involved in some exciting matches recently.
Mark Crittenden's men are a 4-2-3-1 or narrow 4-3-3 side that relies on wide runners and fast transitions from defence to attack to disrupt opponents with their pace and directness. Maksim Norton leads the line in attack, Lachlan Powell is a transition machine in midfield and William Kinghan is a sturdy goalie.
Rockdale Ilinden U20 are at the bottom half of the ladder, but seeking crucial points to escape the lower table if they can put together a good run.
Paul Dee's men have played in a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 hybrid system that suits the game in hand with two forward players probing the centre of the pitch and a lot of lateral play. Jake Nacovski, Dean Jovcevski and Lucas De Sousa have the pace and finishing prowess to make things happen in the attacking third and they are capable of thrashing teams as they did to Western Sydney Wanderers U20.
Odds slightly on favourites, but underdog appeal
Blacktown City U20 are a slightly overpriced 2.01 for this local derby, Rockdale Ilinden are 2.97 and the draw is 3.74.
Given how inconsistent Dee's side have been over the past month, the draw and a narrow away win look the best value in this match. Rockdale thrashed Wanderers 5-1 on Wednesday night, but lost 3-0 to Marconi Stallions U20 the weekend before and had suffered three defeats in the previous month.
We like the 'Both teams to score - Yes' market at 1.3 and see the two teams getting the better of each other at some stage on Sunday, even though they can both be too open at the back. Our correct score forecast of 1-1 has Blacktown pinching a goal in the second half, but if it goes to a two-goal scoreline it could be the away side who are celebrating, with 1-2 a solid choice on the public list.
NPL NSW U20s is full of promise
The NPL NSW U20 2026 competition is full of fresh talent and these two sides have traded wins. Rockdale edged the last meeting 2-0, but Blacktown produced big victories in 2024 - 2025. There will be plenty to play for, including the opportunity for young players to catch the eye of the first-team scouts. With the weather cool and dry in Blacktown on Sunday, it should be a good day for open football and we expect both sides to be right into it, so our forecast is for a 1 - 1 or 1 - 2 scoreline.
