TeleChoice Premier League Round 6 Preview

Ante Milicic?s Sydney United open Round 6 on Saturday evening with a testing tie at Lidcombe Oval against West Sydney Berries. The Reds have been impressive to-date, and proved last weekend against Marconi Stallions that the team is not afraid to dig deep in search of a result.
The Reds will have David Zdrilic full of confidence for the encounter following his goal against the Stallions, meanwhile the defensive line continues to impress with a well organised approach. The Reds have conceded only three goals in the first five rounds; one of those against Marconi Stallions via the penalty-spot.
West Sydney Berries? task will be a tough one as John Calleja?s men will need to double up following their clash with Manly United FC on Tuesday in their catch-up. The Berries saviour against Bankstown City last weekend was goalkeeper Hamish McLean who stood tall to deny the Lions strikers on a number of occasions; the shot-stopper will need to be at his best with the likes of Zdrilic, Milicic and Luka Glavas lining up for the Reds.
In the attacking third, John Tsironis? confident display last weekend stands the side in good stead, along with the regular contributions from Kosta Lagoudakis and Aheleas Kotsopoulos out of midfield. The Berries though will be sweating on the fitness of Michael Cunico after the defender was forced to leave the field at half-time against the lions due to injury.
At Bonnyrigg Sports Ground, the White Eagles will take to the field without Blagoja Kuleski calling the shots from the bench. Kuleski and Bonnyrigg mutually agreed to part company following the White Eagles narrow loss to Manly United FC in Round 5; the side to announce a new coach shortly. Bonnyrigg?s most positive forays into the opposition half were courtesy of Frederick Graham; the attack-minded midfielder will need to repeat those feats for the home-side to stand a chance of overcoming Blacktown City Demons.
The Demons were impressive in their come-from-behind defeat of Sydney Tigers as Ken Schembri?s young guns displayed their potential at senior level. The Demons will look at Chris Bedzo and Ante Deur for inspiration in the front-third, meanwhile the experienced heads of Damien Foxe and Luke Casserly provide the Demons with a mountain of muscle in the defensive lines.
Marconi Stallions will aim to bounce back following their last gasp loss at rivals Sydney United last weekend when they meet Sutherland Sharks. Despite a strong showing by the team, the Stallions fell victim to an injury-time goal against the Reds to deliver the Bossley Park outfit their first loss of the season. The Stallions appeared to have the measure of Sydney United after taking the lead, though missed chances to two of the side?s best performers to-date ? Alex Canak and Ali Al-Hilfi ? proved to be their undoing.
Sutherland Sharks will enter the match full of confidence following an emphatic defeat of Wollongong Community FC. The Sharks start to the season has been a slow one, though the recent performances have the hopes of supporters high at Seymour Shaw. Coach Robbie Stanton has been without Nick Stavroulakis with a groin injury, and has also had to make do with the absence of the club?s top goal-scorer last season, Brad Boardman.
In what promises to be an exciting battle at Marconi Stadium, the first side to take control of possession in the middle of the park will poses their opponent with a difficult task at hand.
On Sunday afternoon, pre-season favourite Sydney Olympic need a quick fix to their torrid luck in recent weeks as they host Manly United FC at Belmore Sports Ground.
The Blues have since seen a new coach in charge as Aytek Genc handed in his resignation with the club announcing that Nick Theodorakopoulos would be the new man in charge.
The Blues were comprehensively beaten by Bonnyrigg White Eagles recently, meanwhile the loss at Penrith-Nepean last weekend came as a big shock to supporters and adversaries alike. 
Sydney Olympic has not faultered in-front of goal ? the Blues are the only side to hit double figures in the ?goals for? department. The worrying sign for the Blues is that fourteen goals have leaked by an experienced defence; the rearguard to face a stern test with Robbie Cattanach and Giosue Sama visiting Belmore.
Manly United FC?s slow start to the season seems to have taken off in a flash following two hard fought wins against Sydney Tigers and Bonnyrigg White Eagles. 
Manly United has conceded only two goals thus far, and with the addition of Matthew Bingley alongside the experienced Spencer Prior in defence, the side is certainly a difficult one for strikers to break down.
An interesting battle in this match should be that between the Blues Tolgay Ozbey and Matthew Mayora, and the experienced Manly United rearguard.
At Penrith?s CUA Stadium, Penrith-Nepean United will be eager to maintain their positive run of form when they host Wollongong Community FC. Penrith-Nepean scored a surprise win against Sydney Olympic last weekend, consolidating Ian Gillan?s side a spot in the Top-Five. Penrith-Nepean?s more experienced players have played an integral role in the club?s progression this season with the names of Evangelos Petratos and Ante Juric at the top of everyones list.
Wollongong Community FC will need to return to the drawing board as their impressive start to the season seems all but forgotten. Coach Tony Pace will be hoping his youthful team return to basics this weekend. The side has failed to take their chances in-front of goal and will need Ilija Prenzoski to once again grace the League with his goalscoring abilities.
In the final match of the round, Sydney Tigers make their debut at Leichhardt Oval against Bankstown City. Both sides need points for very different reasons. The Tigers, who showed signs of improvement last weekend in the narrow loss to Blacktown City Demons, languish at the bottom of the League ladder and will need the goalscoring exploits of striker Robbie Younis to guide the team through this rough patch.
Their opponent Bankstown City need points to maintain the fast pace set by Sydney United at the top of the ladder. Still with a number of injuries in their ranks, George Nohra and Phillip Makrys above all else, the Lions have managed to still give a good account of themselves; the home draw against the Berries will be motivation in itself to get a good result against the Tigers on Sunday.
*Please note each of the Sunday (First Grade) matches kick-off at the new time of 3:00 PM.
-By Joseph Carlucci