TeleChoice Premier League Round 15 Preview

Both sides have made huge progressions to-date, though the Sharks remarkable run of form has certainly taken the League by storm ? Brian Brown?s men remain unbeaten in all competitions this season over 90? minutes.
?Bomber? Brown?s men will be without David Reid through suspension, though the League leader will be riding high following the important win against closest rival Manly United last weekend.
Sydney Olympic on the other-hand need points to keep their challenge alive ? Milan Blagojevic?s side let a two-goal lead slip against Marconi Stallions in Round 14, something that cannot be repeated if a top-two spot is on their radar.
At Marconi Stadium, the Stallions face a desperate Manly United who need points to keep up with Sutherland Sharks.
Manly has gone off the boil in recent weeks, with the loss against Sutherland last weekend not helping morale amongst the group of players.
Robbie Cattanach failed to find the mark against Sutherland, meanwhile Craig Midgley too failed to break down the Sharks defence.
Their opponents Marconi Stallions have demonstrated their fighting desire to get something out of a disappointing campaign to-date ? the Stallions? results have certainly improved since the final round of the first-half of the season.
David Barrett has managed to instill a belief amongst his players following their slow start, something that has been very promising in recent weeks.
A home win for the Stallions is required to keep alive any of the slim hopes remaining of a top-five finish.
Another side who?s hopes of a top-five finish continue to fade each weekend is Bankstown City. Peter Tsekenis? side has continually showed signs of improvement, though have failed to remain consistent in terms of results.
On Saturday evening, the ?Jensen Park boys? play host to Penrith-Nepean United, another side in a serious form slump.
The last time the two sides met saw Penrith reign supreme, though the tide has certainly turned for Abbas Saad?s men.
A run of heavy defeats ? and performances lacking passion ? have all but ruined an extremely positive start to the season for last season?s wooden-spooner.
Three-points are a must for both sides.
On Sunday afternoon bottom-placed Blacktown City Demons will be hoping for something positive following a disastrous month of May.
The side did play some good football along the way ? namely the performance against Sydney United in Round 12 ? though the results have not been so forthcoming.
The Demons opposition, A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers, will also require maximum points to keep their hopes of finals football alive.
The Tigers have been impressive in patches this season, though the team has struggled when Robbie Younis does not find the back of the net.
Following the disappointment of squandering their 1-0 lead at home against Wollongong FC last weekend, the Tigers will require a win at Gabbie Stadium in Round 15.
Wollongong FC has gone off the boil following their strong start to the campaign.
Against Macarthur Rams at John Crehan Park, John Turner?s Wolves will need to be on their toes as the Rams have certainly found that ?winning feeling? following a difficult introduction to the TeleChoice Premier League.
The Rams have won two matches on the trot, a great achievement for Paul Carter?s men.
The Wolves recent results have not been so flattering; a 1-0 win against Penrith in Round 12 was the last three-pointer for the Wolves.
Despite the win-less fortnight, Wollongong FC still has a strong-hold of fifth-spot with a five-point advantage over A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers.
The final match of the Round pits ?high-flying? Sydney United against West Sydney Berries at the Sydney Athletic Centre. The Reds have overtaken Sydney Olympic to re-claim third-spot on the ladder, testament to the fine work of coach Ivan Petkovic at the club this season.
With the exceptional form of both his wide midfielders ? Christopher Boyle (left) and Petar Markovic (right) ? Sydney United has been a menace for all opponents.
Concerns do surround Luka Glavas? presence against the Berries following his injury sustained against Bankstown City last weekend. The striker fell onto his back following a collision with Phillip Makrys ? the Reds forced to make-do without their instrumental striker from that moment on.
The Berries on the other-hand will be out to score a win for their new coach Ramsin Shamon following the departure of Scott Baillie.
The Berries were unlucky not to find more goals in difficult conditions throughout the encounter against Penrith-Nepean in Round 14, though the side was extremely lucky to come away with a point in the end as goalkeeper Hamish McLean pulled off three tremendous saves in the final moments of the match.
With both sides in need of a win for many different reasons, the Sydney Olympic Athletic Centre clash will top-off another great weekend of Football in NSW.
-By Joseph Carlucci