- In the NPL New South Wales 2026, Marconi have won eight of their 13 away games (D2, L3), Manly United have won seven of their 13 home games (D4, L2).
- Manly United are unbeaten in their last five (W3, D2), Marconi have won two of their last five (L3).
- Manly United have not beaten Marconi in their last two home games.
Marconi must be careful not to slip up
Marconi Stallions, odds-on favourites at 1.73, have the table position advantage to win Saturday's New South Wales NPL clash with Manly United FC, but there are a couple of reasons for why this match won't be a foregone conclusion.
Stallions boss Peter Tsekenis has done a fantastic job since taking over in April 2018 and his 4-4-2 system gives them a balance and tempo to control transitions, especially the speedy break in the game. Marconi's record of 12 goals conceded in 13 away games in NPL New South Wales 2026 is a testament to how well they have been able to maintain their shape in the face of adversity and explains why they're pushing for the top-two.
But Manly United boss Vladimir Knežević has made a pretty good fist of things since he took over at the start of 2020 and his 4-2-3-1 is a compact, but dangerous shape. In their three most recent matches, Manly United have been solid, drawing 0-0 away to Sydney FC Youth, thumping Sydney Olympic 4-0 at home and then drawing 1-1 away to Rockdale Ilinden.
Manly can make this a scrappy affair
The Stallions are on a three-match losing streak after suffering home defeats to Sydney United 58 and St George City before losing to SD Raiders FC away. But their overall away form and the recent head-to-head records tells us that they should arrive in Manly to pick up all three points.
Manly United are 4.2 for the win and the Draw is 3.6, but those odds are too good to ignore given the home side are unbeaten in their last three matches and have won three straight home fixtures. Marconi have only failed to win five times in the league away from home this season, but that was their most recent away trip, so there is a cautionary message there.
Marconi have a perfect record in the last five head-to-head meetings, but we'll back Manly to make this a tough game based on their recent home form and the fact the hosts have only conceded eight goals in 13 home matches in the NPL New South Wales 2026.
Our main selection is a Marconi win and both teams to score at 1.85 as we see the Stallions' patient build-up mixed with fast breaks should always unsettle Manly's reactive shape. The hosts could win this if they stay compact and manage to get enough players forward when Marconi stretch the pitch wide.
The Over 2.5 Goals is a touch short at 1.95, but we'll add it as a support selection as Manly's home record is flying and we don't want to miss the value in the BTTS selection.
