Can in-form Birkenhead United topple title favourites Auckland City?

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By Jack Sharp

Men’s National League favourites Auckland City could well face their sternest challenge when they travel to Birkenhead United’s Shepherds Park for Saturday’s top-of-the-table match-up.

Birkenhead go into the game on the end of an eight-match unbeaten run and after two impressive opening games in the new-look national league.

The side has not been beaten in three months and should face the Navy Blues with a high degree of confidence.

However, the fly in that ointment is the fact that the last team to beat Birkenhead were Auckland City who came out on top in a 5-3 thriller in their Northern League fixture on July 13.

The second cause to doubt Birkenhead’s chances is the 3-0 defeat Auckland City handed to Birkenhead when they met in the reverse fixture back in April.

Of course, Auckland City go into Saturday’s game having lost only once in 2022.

But if Birkenhead can’t derail the Navy Blues, who can?

Meanwhile, the league’s two other unbeaten sides have home fixtures.

Napier City Rovers can stay in the top bunch with a win against bottom side Miramar Rangers on Saturday.

Unbeaten third-placed Auckland United host Christchurch United.

Fixtures

Games to be played on Saturday October 15, 2022

Birkenhead United (1st) v Auckland City (2nd)
Shepherds Park, Birkenhead, 2pm

Napier City Rovers (4th) v Miramar Rangers (10th)
Bluewater Stadium, Napier, 3pm

Auckland United (3rd) v Christchurch United (8th)
Keith Hay Park, Mt Roskill, 4pm

Games to be played on Sunday October 16, 2022

Wellington Phoenix (7th) v Melville United (9th)
Sky Stadium, Wellington, 12pm

Cashmere Technical (6th) v Wellington Olympic (5th)
English Park, Christchurch, 2.30pm

Standings

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