The usual ‘heavyweights’ Bonnyrigg White Eagles, Sydney United and Blacktown City FC will again start as favourites though an eye must certainly be kept on the likes of Sydney Olympic, Marconi Stallions, A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers and Rockdale City Suns, without forgetting the ‘unknown’ to come from new boys Parramatta FC.

Proceedings commence with two Saturday evening matches with kick-off set for 7:00 pm. At Jensen Park, a new look Bankstown City will be out to erase the disappointing 2010 campaign as stern rival Marconi Stallions visit the Lions.

Blagoja Kuleski has assembled some fine talent across the park, though he will certainly look at his more experienced heads Zlatko Joseski and Stefanos Liavas to reiterate to the new arrivals the importance for a strong start to the campaign.

Marconi Stallions too will have a new look about them with coach Luke Casserly taking over for his first official Premier League match as club coach. The Stallions possess a strong defensive unit and all attentions will surround new signing Matthew Mayora who is expected to lead the Stallions’ goalscoring charts in 2011. In all a very important first home match for the Lions following a rather barren run in recent seasons.

Over at Seymour Shaw, defending Champions Blacktown City FC open their campaign with a tricky away trip against Sutherland Sharks.

The Sharks have proven time and time again that they are a mammoth obstacle to overcome on home soil, and Robbie Stanton’s team again promises to build their foundations for 2011 with an impeccable home record. The Sharks have recruited well in the off season and will be looking to unleash the likes of Panny Nikas, Nick Tsattalios, Lachlan Cahill and Matthew Bailey – each player very capable of bringing the winning feeling back to the Shire.

They will again be led by the services of George Souris while the likes of Jim Bakis, Nick Stavroulakis, Mike Katz and Chris Price will be also out in full force pushing for a Shire win.

Blacktown City FC will have their work cut out with a lot of pressure on the defending champions, though the experience of coach Mark Crittenden – who has retained a large bulk of last season’s championship winning side – will play a huge part in the side’s chances for success this season. Inspirational captain Luke Roodenburg will pull the strings in midfield, and with such a passionate player leading the group, a Blacktown City win, even at Seymour Shaw, should not be put past the side.

On Sunday afternoon, Rockdale City Suns and A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers promises to be the pick of the ‘Sunday action’ at Ilinden Sports Centre. Both sides are coming off strong 2010 campaigns with the Tigers performing admirably in the second-half of the season, losing only once against Marconi Stallions before being bundled out by Sydney United in extra-time in the finals series.

The Tigers offseason signings have managed to ‘gel’ well with the group as the side aims to start the campaign on the front foot following the poor first seven rounds of 2010.

The Suns turned many heads in 2010 in their first season back in the top flight. 2011 sees Lee Sterrey take over the reins at the club, and the experienced Sterrey has already shown his influence on the group with a fine pre-season. The Suns were always a tough side to beat at home, and Sterrey will certainly look to add three first-up points to the ladder this Sunday in front of the Rockdale City supporters.

At Melita Stadium, the NSW Premier League will have a first ‘official’ look at new boys Parramatta FC in a very demanding debut against 2010 Premiership winners, Bonnyrigg White Eagles. Coach Brian Dene will look at veteran Angelo Petratos to assist with guiding his players on the field. Petratos, at the age of 42, possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be essential for Parramatta FC’s chances this season. The home side may even hand a debut to latest signing Almir Dizdaric who will be expected to find the goals for Parramatta FC.

The White Eagles have a point to prove after clinching the Premiership race with ease last season before stumbling in the Championship decider. Brian Brown’s side has been strengthened with the additions of some very talented players, and expectation across the League will be for a White Eagles win in this opening match.

South Coast Wolves open their campaign with Sydney Olympic visiting the South Coast at John Crehan Park. The Wolves have arguably made the biggest signing of the off season, securing the prized signature of former Newcastle Jets forward Sasho Petrovski. His experience and prowess in front of goal will no doubt serve the Wolves well in 2011, though the side will need to be at its best with a new-look Sydney Olympic visiting town.

The Blues, this season in the hands of Peter Tsekenis, have been tipped by many as Bonnyrigg’s biggest threat to the title. With an established group of players comprising the likes of Robert Mileski, Chris Triantis and Richard Luksic, the Blues do seem to have their best playing roster seen in recent years.

In the final fixture for the weekend, Sydney United will set out to improve on the third place obtained last season with the new season objective to reach the grand final. The Reds face Manly United FC at Sydney United Sports Centre, and coach Jean-Paul De Marigny will be eager to unveil the hard work carried out over the pre-season. The Reds boast a number of impressive signings – on top of the solid squad retained from 2010 – though arguably two names stand out. Ufuk Talay and Mark Rudan will vest the Red of Sydney United this season following successful stints in the A-League.

Out to spoil the party for Sydney United and the Reds supporters will be Manly United FC. The Manly side failed to maintain the fine run of recent seasons in the last campaign, narrowly avoiding the wooden spoon in 2010. Coach Craig Midgley has lost a number of experienced players though is happy to be seen as an ‘unknown quantity’ heading into the 2011 season with a number of younger players.

Preview by Joseph Carlucci