Round 7 is a massive week of football action, headlined by the 2022 NPLM Grand Final rematch on Saturday night.
Will Bentleigh pick up their first win? Can Heidelberg make it three wins in a row? Can the Knights dethrone Avondale and who will wi the Grand Final rematch, we will find out this weekend!
Bentleigh Greens v St Albans
7:30 pm, Friday 31 March, Kingston Health Soccer Complex
Will Benteligh finally get their first points of the season?
Bentleigh's bad run of form continued over the weekend, losing to Heidelberg 3-1.
The loss marks their sixth straight defeat, a worrying sign for the Greens faithful.
Mitchell Rooke was able to score Bentleigh's third goal for the season against the Bergers after Manase Abandelwa provided a tantalising run down the wing.
In a promising sign, the Greens registered 10 shots on target to 8 against Heidelberg, including four in the last five minutes, although they were unable to capitalise on their chances.
After head coach Petr Chichy handed in his resignation after last week's game, former Newcastle Jets assistant coach Riccardo Marchioli takes the reign and should give the players a lift this week.
St Albans registered their first loss of the season to South Melbourne last week after losing possession in their back third and ultimately the match-winning goal.
The Saints struggled to have quality threats on goal against South, with the NPLM leading goal scorer only registering one shot on target in defeat.
St Albans defender Zac Thomas was impressive in defeat, earning a Team of the Week (TOTW) nomination.
Midfielder Zelfy Nazary will miss this week's clash after being shown a red card against South, following an ugly tackle.
In Round 18 last season, the two teams couldn't be split; with the match ending in a 0-0 draw.
Heidelberg United v Port Melbourne
8:30 pm, Saturday 31 March, Olympic Village
Will Heidelberg make it three wins in a row?
Having found themselves winless after the first month of the season, Heidelberg has won their past two matches to breathe life back into their season.
Ajdin Fetahagic was able to get on the scoresheet from right-back, while midfielders Sean Ellis and Eoin Ashton also scored in the win.
Kenny Athiu is starting to work himself into form, getting in the right spots with a goal not too far away.
Shigeto Masuda made the Round 6 TOTW for a great performance at centre-back against the Greens last weekend.
The Sharks returned to the winner's list last weekend with a dominant victory over Dandenong Thunder.
Valentin Cesnik was best on with four goals and Jackson Courtney-Perkins continued his hot streak through the midfield with two goals of his own.
Port Melbourne comfortably defeated Heidelberg 4-0 last time they met in Round 21 last season with Chris Duggan scoring a hat-trick.
Heidelberg's Ajdin Fetahagic just before scoring against the Bentleigh Greens in Round 6 of the NPLM.
Moreland City v Hume City
3:00 pm, Saturday, 1 April, CB Smith Reserve
Can Moreland jump back into the top 6?
Hume lost their second match of the season in Round 6 against Oakleigh 2-1, despite a late Josh Bingham goal providing some late hope.
Goalkeeper Rory Brian had a stand-out match, keeping his side in the match with plenty of key saves.
Midfielder Mark Ochieng was amongst the best against the Cannons, working tirelessly all match.
Moreland City climbed to sixth place on the ladder with a statement-making 4-1 victory over fellow promoted side North Geelong.
Midfielder Jamie Latham was terrific through the midfield, while Apai Ukuno was a constant threat with two goals and Nick Bavcar also tried his heart out in defence.
North Geelong Warriors v Green Gully
3:00 pm, Saturday, 1 April, Elcho Park
Who will bounce back after their defeat last week?
Green Gully fell just short of the rampaging avengers in Round 6, losing 3-2 in a thrilling contest.
Midfielder Thiel Iradukunda was amongst Gully's best and goalkeeper Liam Driscoll can be proud of his performance last week, with many big saves.
Nahuel Bonada scored his second goal of the season last week, while Adolph Koudakpo also got on the scoresheet late in the game.
The Cavaliers have shown their versatility in the front third so far this season, with seven different goal scorers, which may be too much to handle for the Warriors.
North Geelong lost their fifth match in a row against Moreland, however, it doesn't get any easier with the in-form Cavaliers up next.
Fletcher Fulton continued to try hard all match, while Nikola Jurkovic provided some stability through the midfield.
The Warriors have the worst record defensively this season and will need to be on their game with the likes of Pierce Waring and Nahuel Bonada ready to strike.
Avondale v Melbourne Knights
3:15 pm, Saturday, 1 April, Avenger Park
Can the Knights be the first team to dethrone the Avengers?
Avondale continued their near-perfect start to the season with a hard-fought victory over Green Gully.
Stefan Zinni continued his rich vein of form, scoring his fourth goal in three weeks, while Liam Boland also scored his third goal in two games.
Kristian Trajceski continued his fine form on the weekend, claiming the NPLM Player of the Month award.
The Knights pushed themselves up to the fourth position on the ladder following their 3-1 victory over Altona last weekend.
Gian Albano scored a stunning goal inside the first 10 minutes, while Mohamed Sumaoro scored his second in as many weeks.
The Knights' midfield dominated the contest, led by Corey Sewell and Steve Whyte, creating an intriguing matchup against Avondale in Round 7.
Chris Oldfield has been a rock between the sticks so far this season for the Knights, supported by captain Ivan Franjic and Josh Phelps in defence, although they will have their hands full this week containing Stefan Zinni, Liam Boland, and the rest of the dangerous Avengers' attack.
In Round 15 last season, the two sides couldn't be split, with the match ending in a 1-1 draw.
Altona Magic v Dandenong Thunder
6:15 pm, Saturday, 1 April, Paisley Park
Will we see a response from Dandenong following their Round 6 hiding?
Dandenong had a game to forget in Round 6 against Port Melbourne, losing 6-2.
The Thunder midfield was dominated last week with the like of Mamadi Kamara and Gerhardus Damen needing to step up this week.
Goffry Lino was a shining light for Dandenong, scoring his second goal in two weeks, while midfielder Harley Orr also got on the score sheet.
Altona lost their third game for the season against the Knights in Round 6, although will be set on bouncing back this week.
Jonas Markovski once again found the back of the net against Knights, bringing his season tally to five - the equal most in the competition.
Charlie Leech was the Magic's best in defeat and will need to put in another strong performance against the Thunder.
Altona defeated Dandenong 2-1 the last time they met, with Jonas Markovski once again getting on the scoresheet.
Altona Magic's John Stojcevski kicking the football against Melbourne Knights. Picture: MP Images.
Oakleigh Cannons v South Melbourne
7:30 pm, Saturday, 1 April, Jack Edwards Reserve
Can South Melbourne get revenge for their Grand Final loss?
A huge battle awaits between last year's grand finalists, and with both teams inside the top three, it has all the makings of a classic.
Oakleigh, who is yet to be beaten this year, defeated Hume 2-1 last week with Alexander Fiechtner proving the difference with a brace and was rewarded with a Round 6 TOTW nomination.
Cameron McGilp has been outstanding since coming to the Cannons through the midfield with Oliver Kubilay and Stefan Valentini providing plenty of creativity.
South Melbourne secured their fifth victory for the season last week with Max Mikkola scoring the winner as a substitute against Altona.
This weekend will be the battle of the prolific attacks multiple scoring threats on both teams. Liam Boland and Alex Fiechtner both have four goals for the season - one behind the competition leader.
Oakleigh has the ultimate bragging rights over South Melbourne, defeating them 5-0 in last year's NPLM Grand Final.