Super League Round 9 Preview
In contrasting seasons, Macarthur are in second place with 10 players bagging a goal so far, while Liverpool languish at the bottom of the table after failing to score a goal in their last four games of football. The sides share two wins each and a draw from five Super League encounters, but Wednesday night?s match against Sydney FC could bolster or hamper the Rams? preparations for the league derby.
Granville Rage welcomes Fraser Park FC to Garside Park on Saturday night (7.30pm) for their first home fixture of the season. While work continues on new changing rooms, Granville has endured a two-month road journey to start the year, collecting just two wins along the way. They only have one goal from the field to show for their last seven games, and will need to be on their guard against a Fraser Park outfit that has scored 14 goals in eight games, despite being second from the bottom. The Rage hold a slight edge historically, but Fraser Park will be buoyed by their strong performances of late.
Mount Druitt Town Rangers travel to the Central Coast to take on the Lightning at Pluim Park on Saturday night (7.30pm) in what should be an interesting affair. Both Mount Druitt and Central Coast have been quite competitive this year without being overly consistent, and only four players from each side have found the back of the net in 2009. Another challenge for the Rangers is to find a way to beat the Lightning, with the home side boasting three wins and a draw from four Super League encounters.
St George Saints play competition leaders PCYC Parramatta Eagles at Melita Stadium on Saturday night (7.30pm), and it should be a cracker. Parramatta have 10 goalscoring players on their roster to St George?s four, although the Saints have the league?s leading goalscorer, Juan Carlos Chavez, who has netted 10 goals himself. In five SL meetings, St George have three wins (incredibly, all at Melita) to Parramatta?s two, and the Eagles would love to avenge a shock semi-final loss to the Saints in 2007.
Rockdale City Suns clash with Spirit FC at the Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon (3pm kick-off). League newcomers Spirit suffered their first loss last week and face stiff competition in Rockdale this weekend. There are plenty of players across both teams who have netted this season, which tends to indicate that the best defence might win this weekend?s match-up. In that regard, Spirit will be tested by Rockdale?s experience in top-flight football.
Sydney University tackles the high-flying Northern Tigers in a top-five meeting at Mills Park on Sunday afternoon (3pm). The Tigers are on a four game winning streak and sit one point above Uni on the ladder. The two clubs also share a long league history going back to 2004. In 10 fixtures over this time, Uni have claimed five wins to three, including both of last year?s games. The Tigers are yet to beat Uni at Mills Park and have only scored in four of those 10 encounters with ?the students?.
-By Daniel De Nardi
