Melbourne Knights and South Melbourne are all set for another Original Melbourne Derby showdown when they go head-to-head in NPL Victoria Round 16 action at Knights Stadium on Friday night.
Friday’s clash may be the last time the pair, who both start the weekend inside the competition’s top four meet at NPL level with both club’s applications progressing to the Request for Proposal Phase of Football Australia’s proposed National Second Tier.
Knights, who sit fourth on the NPL Victoria ladder aim to cut the nine-point gap between themselves and South who are level with Avondale at the top of the standings with a win on Friday night.
Ben Cahn’s side come into Friday’s clash in strong form and are unbeaten in eleven matches including a club record eight match NPL Victoria unbeaten run.
In their most recent outing Knights overturned a two-goal half time deficit to snatch a point thanks to goals from Corey Sewell and Mohammad Sumaoro on the road in a 2-2 draw against defending Champions Oakleigh last weekend.
Meanwhile a Jack Painter-Andrews goal earned Hellas a 1-0 win over Green Gully at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
South ran out 2-1 winners when they faced Knights in the reverse fixture at Lakeside back in round 3 thanks to goals from Marco Jankovic and Patrick Langlois while Gian Albano got his name on the scoresheet for the Knights.
An unforgettable last minute Albano winner secured a victory for Knights when the pair last met at Somers Street.
In total Knights and South have contested the Original Melbourne Derby 16 times at NPL Victoria level with South have taken 11 wins, Knights four, with the sides having played out just a solitary draw.
Friday’s match at Knights Stadium kicks off at 7:30pm and will be live streamed on NPL.TV.
MATCH DETAILS
NPL Victoria 2023 – Round 16: Melbourne Knights v South Melbourne
Knights Stadium, Sunshine North
Friday, 2 June (7:30pm KO)