TeleChoice Premier League Round 18 Preview

Saturday evening sees Blacktown City Demons ? still with a mathematical chance of a finals fling ? host Sydney Olympic at Gabbie Stadium. Both sides have had a much inconsistent season to-date, with the Blues maintaining a slight advantage on the League ladder. The Blues will need to draw on the energies created from the most memorable defeat of Manly United FC at Cromer Park last weekend, though coach Nick Theodorakopoulos will be without Adam Wither for the encounter.
The Demons have been made to rue an endless amount of missed goalscoring chances – their supporters most frustrated with the devastating display against Bonnyrigg White Eagles last weekend that failed to bear fruit; the side slumping to a 1-0 loss. Fireworks are expected in Seven Hills on Saturday.
Over at the Bonnyrigg Sports Club, Brian Brown?s White Eagles will require another solid defensive display as the in-form Bankstown City Lions visit. Brown?s men have shown a real sense of understanding ? and confidence ? in the defensive third, though Brown will be hoping for a more stable display in midfield against one of the strongest midfield lines in the competition.
Peter Tsekenis? side has gone from strength-to-strength over the past six-weeks as the inconsistencies in their performances seem to be a thing of the past. Salameh Hussein will again carry the task of making a nuisance of himself amongst the White Eagles defenders as George Nohra and Philip Makrys continue their climb back to full fitness following long injury lay-offs.
A win for the home-side will keep Bonnyrigg in an extremely healthy position to keep up with the challengers for a finals berth, meanwhile a win for Bankstown City will almost certainly guarantee the Jensen Park side finals football for 2009.
At Cook Park, Penrith-Nepean plays host to Manly United FC as Ante Juric lines-up for the first time in-front of his home supporters as player/coach. Juric got the best out of his players in the defeat of Wollongong Community FC on a difficult playing surface last weekend, and will look to build on the confidence brought about the team following the win. Juric will again look at the experience of Evangelos Petratos and Mitchell Long, with the talent of Ben Gough and Sean Mitchell vital for the side?s success.
Manly United?s impressive run has certainly hit a ?snag? in recent weeks with the side struggling to find goals, let alone win matches. A home-loss against Sydney Olympic last weekend has the side down on confidence, though with two matches in-hand, the second-spot is theirs to defend. Giosue Sama will most likely have the goalscoring duties as Robbie Cattanach will almost undoubtedly get a start following his extremely positive contribution off the bench late in the match last weekend.
West Sydney Berries will be eager to bounce back from their loss against League leader Sydney United last weekend, though will have a much determined Sutherland Sharks outfit to deal with at Lidcombe Oval. The Berries have proven a nuisance for many of the top sides this season, and the Sharks will have their work cut out on Saturday. Dimitri Zakilas and Chris Gaitatzis will carry much of the attacking flair; along with the input of experienced campaigners Aheleas Kotsopoulos and Kosta Lagoudakis.
For the Sharks, a less than convincing display against Marconi Stallions was salvaged by a late Neil Jablonski goal; the midfielder?s presence in the attacking-third is consistently a concern for adversaries, as is the big frame of Brad Boardman.
At Marconi Stadium, the Stallions hope to return to winning ways when they host Wollongong Community FC; Marconi is win-less since the Round 14 defeat of Blacktown City as the last encounter between these two sides produced seven goals ? all seven in favour of the Stallions. Arguably one of the most attractive sides to play when they get the ball rolling, Lee Sterrey?s men will be more than expected to secure maximum points from this encounter. With WCFC struggling in-front of goal, the experience in the Stallions defensive unit should ensure a ?shut-out? for the home-side.
In the only Sunday match of the weekend, Sydney Tigers need points to move away from the bottom of the League ladder. Luke McGuire?s men performed well against Bankstown City last weekend, though the disappointment of conceding late goals on multiple occasions this season has the Tigers sitting in second-last spot on the ladder.
Sydney United has a commanding lead on its closest rival, and with Ante Milicic and David Zdrilic in good touch, who would possibly bet against the Reds? Milicic has cleverly inserted the likes of Andrija Petkovic and Elsid Barkhousir to good effect in recent weeks, along with midfielder Glen Trifiro who should get a chance to line-up against his brother Jason of the Tigers.
For a full listing of washed out fixtures and new match dates, please visit WEB Site www.footballnsw.com.au for updates.
-By Joseph Carlucci