Match Preview – NPL Elimination Final – SMFC v Hume City

Everything is on the line on Sunday evening when South Melbourne FC hosts Hume City in their Elimination Final meeting at Lakeside Stadium. The losing team will conclude their 2016 season, with the winning team to progress to meet Heidelberg United in the Semi Finals next weekend. 

South goes into the game on a three-game league winning run, with its most recent being a come-from-behind 4-2 victory against Green Gully in the final round of the home & away season. This left Chris Taylor’s side level with Heidelberg United on the league table but South had to settle for third place due to an inferior goal difference.

Hume concluded their regular season with a surprising home defeat to the Bulleen Lions, who guaranteed their NPL Victoria survival with that win. In fairness, Hume did have Wednesday night’s FFA Cup tie against Melbourne Victory on their minds, a game that they were defeated 0-1. Hume can now concentrate fully on the NPL Victoria Finals Series, starting with Sunday’s match against South. If either South or Hume can manage three straight wins, they will be crowned as 2016 Champions.

South has the upper hand in overall meetings between the two clubs but Hume have the advantage in finals meetings, winning the Elimination Final back in August 2009 with a 2-0 win at Epping Stadium. Hume has never defeated South during Chris Taylor’s era at Lakeside Stadium and will welcome breaking that record this Sunday.

Sunday evening’s match kicks off at 5:30pm at Lakeside Stadium. All 2016 SMFC members have free entry to the game.

SMFC v Hume City – Head to Head (League & Finals)

Matches Played: 19
Wins (SMFC): 12
Wins (HCFC): 5
Draws: 2

First match: South Melbourne 1-2 Hume City (24 February 2008, Lakeside Stadium)
Last match: South Melbourne 2-2 Hume City (1 July 2016, Lakeside Stadium)

Biggest Winning Margin (SMFC): 6 goals (6-0 win, 25 April 2010, Broadmeadows Valley Park)
Biggest Winning Margin (HCFC): 5 goals (5-0 win, 17 April 2011, Broadmeadows Valley Park)

Most Goals in a Match (SMFC): 6 (25 April 2010, Broadmeadows Valley Park)
Most Goals in a Match (HCFC): 5 (17 April 2011, Broadmeadows Valley Park)

Biggest Finals Win (SMFC): None
Biggest Finals Win (HCFC): 2-0 (23 August 2009, Epping Stadium)