NSW Premier League Round 12 Preview

Buoyed by their recent return to form, the Sharks hope to get one back over Sydney Olympic following Round 1 of the competition at Belmore Sports Ground.
The Sharks will be sweating on the fitness of Neil Jablonski, who was replaced midway through the first-half against Rockdale City last weekend, meanwhile the likes of Yianni Fragogiannis and Ben Vidaic are still not certain starters at this early stage; the pair returning from niggling injuries.
The Blues on the other hand will need to overcome the disappointment of squandering a two-goal lead against Marconi Stallions last weekend. Andre Gumprecht has taken over the player/coaching reigns for the moment, and the former A-League player was happy with the way his side played last weekend, despite the loss. Matthew Mayora, currently on trial with an A-League club, upfront found the back of the net twice, and will be confident he can maintain his sharpness in-front of goal this Saturday.
At Bicentennial Park South, Rockdale City faces a mammoth task against last season?s regular season winners, Sydney United. The Reds have been in good form to-date, and will fancy their chances of a win at Rockdale. The Suns will be hoping to have the services of Marino Musumeci and Robert Di Meglio back, meanwhile in defence, coach Mile Todorovski will be very happy following the clean sheet kept by the team last weekend.
The Reds have looked good with Mirjan Pavlovic settling in nicely in the side?s frontline. With youngster Ante Tomic setting the league alight with his good performances, times at Sydney United look bright. Player/coach David Zdrilic has an abundance of talent at his disposal, and the Reds will be very confident of inflicting a second home defeat for the Suns in Rockdale this Sunday.
At Cromer Park, Phil Moss? Manly United FC will be hoping their rotten luck runs out when fellow strugglers Bankstown City pay visit. Both sides carried much expectation on their shoulders this season, though currently occupy the bottom two-places on the League ladder.
Moss will be hoping A-League players Chris Payne and Beau Busch settle in quickly to add the spark that has been missing in the team, meanwhile Robbie Cattanach remains vital to the side?s goalscoring prospects.
Bankstown City performed admirably against Blacktown City FC last weekend, though Peter Tsekenis? men failed to take their chances in-front of goal. With eleven matches remaining in the regular season, a win for either side on Sunday could signal the turning point for their respective campaigns.
A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers have a mighty challenge against Blacktown City FC at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday, though the team from Seven Hills better not underestimate the roaring Leichhardt team. The Tigers have gone on an impressive run in recent weeks and now sit only one-point outside of the top-five. The hard fought win at WIN Stadium against South Coast Wolves will have the side?s spirits high, meanwhile the fine performances of Nick Rizzo and Franco Parisi too, along with goalscoring defender Mark Byrnes, have the Tigers finally playing a good style of football.
Blacktown City FC, with many absentees last weekend, showed what they are made of with the defeat of Bankstown City. Coach Aytek Genc will ask for more of the same of young midfielder Joel Chianese who has enjoyed a fine run of performances in recent weeks. Ante Deur was instrumental last weekend with his brace, a fine alternative ?go to man for goals? to have when gun striker Tolgay Ozbey is out of the side.
West Sydney Berries face Marconi Stallions at Sydney Olympic Athletic Centre in a must win match for both sides. The Berries showed they are up for a challenge last weekend when they very nearly completed a huge surprise against Bonnyrigg. The Berries led into injury-time, though conceded a late goal to draw the match. New coach Steve Karavatakis will ask of more of the same from his men against the Stallions.
Marconi?s situation is a much rosier one than that of their opponent, though the Stallions will be out to pick up maximum points to keep the chasing pack behind them. The Stallions were impressive last weekend, overturning a two-goal deficit to defeat Sydney Olympic ? a very strong sign that this side possesses the qualities to go one-step further than last season?s grand-final finish.
At WIN Stadium, South Coast Wolves and Bonnyrigg White Eagles face off in the final match of the round. The Wolves have frustrated many of the big names this season, though the loss against the Tigers last weekend was certainly a disappointment for Trevor Morgan and his men. The side has shown their ability on numerous occasions, and will again be looking at the fine passing game of Jason Trifiro out of midfield and Mark Picciolini?s good finishing up-front if the side is to get a result against the White Eagles.
Bonnyrigg on the other hand will still be fuming after the narrow escape against the Berries. The side failed to open up a very well-organised Berries defence, and will definitely need to be more alert on Sunday against an equally impressive Wolves defensive line.
-By Joseph Carlucci