Super League Round 20 Preview

Parramatta have cleared away at the front of the field, while St George have steadily worked themselves into the top-five a fortnight away from the finals. The Saints hold an historical edge, winning four meetings to two, but they are yet to beat the Eagles at home. St George beat Parramatta 3-1 at Melita Stadium earlier in the year.
Granville Rage travel to Fraser Park on Saturday night (7.30pm) for a game of epic proportions. Both sides are in the relegation firing line and could use the three points on offer to safeguard their position in next year?s competition. Granville have won three and drawn three of their eight league encounters with Fraser Park, but haven?t beaten them since getting up in a 4-3 thriller way back in June 2007. The teams drew 1-1 at Garside Park in round nine.
It?s a top-three showdown when Spirit FC tackle Rockdale City Suns at Christie Park on Sunday afternoon (3pm kickoff). But while it?s second versus third, the match has little significance as they are buffeted above and below on the table by daylight. Should Spirit reverse its 4-1 round-nine loss at Rockdale, however, they could snatch home ground advantage in week one of the finals as they trail the Suns by just four competition points.
Finals aspirants Sydney University tackle Northern Tigers at Uni Oval on Sunday afternoon (3pm). Both teams sit a point behind fifth-placed Macarthur and could make the leap inside with a strong performance this weekend. It should be an interesting affair if history is any indication. In 10 league fixtures, Uni have five wins to the Tigers? three since two opening 0-0 draws in 2004. Northern won their round nine battle 1-0.
Bossy Liverpool entertain neighbours Macarthur Rams at Ernie Smith Reserve on Sunday afternoon (3pm). The defending champs couldn?t have picked a better opponent than a vulnerable Macarthur outfit, who are still recovering from a sickening fever outbreak and the loss of head coach Paul Carter. Little separates the cross-town combatants over the years, with both sides earning two wins and two draws from their six league match-ups, including a 2-2 draw at Lynwood earlier this year.
Mount Druitt Town Rangers host Central Coast Lightning in a drop-zone bout at Popondetta Park on Sunday afternoon (3pm). Five points separates Central Coast from bottom club Mount Druitt on the table, and the Rangers can make it a real headache for several coaches should they find a way to win this weekend. But history is against them as they are yet to beat the Lightning in five league attempts (four losses and a draw), including a 4-2 defeat on the coast in round nine.
-By Daniel De Nardi