Match Preview – NPL R26 – SMFC v Green Gully

South Melbourne FC hosts Green Gully in the final round of the NPL Victoria season at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday afternoon. 

It is still possible for Chris Taylor’s side to finish the season in second spot should it win on Sunday. The reality however is that regardless of Sunday’s result, South will finish in third spot and host an elimination final at Lakeside Stadium next weekend. Gully come into the game in fourth position – which also means hosting an elimination final next weekend – however Arthur Papas’ side can still finish as low as sixth after Sunday. They will be looking for all three points to confirm a home final.

With four crucial games in two weeks for Gully – they played the Dockerty Cup final on Wednesday, play South on Sunday before their FFA Cup next Wednesday and then their first finals game next weekend – it will be very interesting to see how Papas approaches Sunday’s meeting with South, considering the importance of winning the game and securing a home final.

For South, Sunday is an opportunity to head into the finals series on a three-game winning run, with Taylor’s side having beaten the Melbourne Knights and Pascoe Vale in the last two rounds.

Sunday’s match at Lakeside Stadium kicks off at 3pm.

SMFC v Green Gully – Head to Head (League & Finals)

Matches Played: 32
Wins (SMFC): 16
Wins (GGFC): 11
Draws: 5

First match: Green Gully 0-2 South Melbourne (11 March 1984, Green Gully Reserve)
Last match: Green Gully 0-1 South Melbourne (21 May 2016, Green Gully Reserve)

Biggest Winning Margin (SMFC): 5 goals (5-0 win) – (22 June 1986, Middle Park)
Biggest Winning Margin (GGFC): 3 goals (3-0 win) – (6 April 2008, Lakeside Stadium)

Most Goals in a Match (SMFC): 5 (5-0 win) – (22 June 1986, Middle Park)
Most Goals in a Match (GGFC): 3 (four times) – (2008, 2011 to 2014) 

Biggest Finals Win (SMFC): 3-0 (1 September 2006, Lakeside Stadium)
Biggest Finals Win (GGFC): 0-0 (5-4p) (3 September 2005, Green Gully Reserve)