By Lachlan Roberts 

Canberra Olympic vs Belconnen United | Saturday, 18th July – 3pm @ O'Connor Enclosed 
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A new era dawns for both Canberra Olympic and Belconnen United on Saturday afternoon as both clubs begin their 2020 NPL1 campaign. During the off-season, Olympic said goodbye to long time coach Frank Cachia and a myriad of players. Stepping into the role of head coach this season is Robbie Cattanach, who is tasked with leading the youthful and inexperienced side back to the top of the NPL1. After capitulating in last year's Preliminary Final, conceding two goals in the last five minutes, Olympic will be desperate to prove they are still the strongest team in Canberra's National Premier League. Belconnen United will expect to be a top-four side this season, having recruited key acquisitions both on and off the pitch. Two years after he led Canberra Croatia to a treble-winning season, Paul Macor steps into the role of head coach of Blue Devils and he moved quickly to recruit some experienced players in key positions. Kofi Danning, Darren Bailey and Jordan Thurtell will certainly boost United's finals chances this season. Expect a fiery contest with plenty of goals. 

Monaro Panthers vs Canberra Croatia | Saturday, 18th July – 5:30pm @ Riverside Football Stadium 
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The first Saturday blockbuster of the 2020 NPL1 season will definitely not disappoint, as Monaro Panthers host Canberra Croatia at Riverside Football Stadium. The Panthers took many by surprise last season with their fast start, as the side sat in third place with five games left before losing steam and falling to seventh. The Panthers have been unstoppable during their pre-season results, including an upset 2-0 win over Tigers FC, with the form of American recruit Lukman Ahmed-Shaibu catching the eye. Over in the hot seat of Canberra Croatia sits the experienced Dean Ugrinic. Ugrinic has retained most of the squad from last season and bolstered it by adding central defender Nick Bobolas from Canberra Olympic, which will be a welcome addition to Deakin's backline. CCFC started very slowly last season but still made the finals. But with a shortened NPL1 season, they will not be afforded that luxury in 2020. I smell an upset brewing. 

Gungahlin United vs Woden-Weston | Sunday, 19th July – 3pm @ AIS Grass Field 1  
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Woden-Weston will field a youthful and inexperienced side in Round 1, having lost a few key campaigners, including goalkeeper Willem Lejuene. On the other hand, Gungahlin United will be oozing with confidence heading into the match at AIS, having decimated all before them in 2019. If you thought their squad depth was strong in 2019, you are in for a shock. Philippe Bernabo-Madrid, Josh Gulevski, Michael Adams and Thomas Milicevic joined United during the off-season, providing a welcome selection headache for coach Marcial Munoz. United swept aside Woden-Weston in both of their encounters last season (5-0, 5-1), and I would expect a similar result this weekend. 

Tigers FC vs Tuggeranong United | Sunday, 19th July – 3pm @ Nijong Oval
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Tuggeranong United will be the first side that will make the daunting trip to Cooma to face a Tigers side that is still licking their wounds after being thrashed in last year's NPL1 grand final. Finding the back of the net consistently was a problem for Tuggeranong last season, and it will be made all the harder after their leading man Aisosa Ihegie transferred to Canberra Olympic during the off-season. In the same fixture last year, Tigers walked away with a comfortable 3-0 win at Nijong Oval, so United will be eager to reverse their fortunes. Despite losing a few key players, new Tigers coach Ryan Grogan has added plenty of attacking arsenal to his side, recruiting Julian Borgna, Sam Whithear, Nathen Megic and Joe Lawless. Prediction: 1-1