Review
South Melbourne 3 defeated Green Gully 2 (predicted 1-1)
Dandenong Thunder 1 defeated by Pascoe Vale 2 (predicted 0-2, result correct)
Bentleigh Greens 1 drew with Melbourne Knights 1 (predicted 1-1, BOOOOOOM)
Heidelberg United 0 defeated by Northcote City 1 (predicted 2-1)
***
Port Melbourne Sharks SC (11th) vs Dandenong Thunder SC (13th)
The form
There was fervent debate as to whether Port Melbourne’s 1-1 draw with Oakleigh Cannons was marred by a referee gaffe, with footage from behind the goals having surfaced online. Make of it what you will – and there is fair argument either way for that decision – the only thing that’ll matter for the Sharks is that they took home a much needed point, their first in six games. Dandenong Thunder have gone six games themselves without a point, the most recent of which came at the hands of an in form Pascoe Vale outfit. How do they respond against a team also in a rut?
The players to watch
Alan Kearney was superb patrolling the midfield against Oakleigh, while Adrian Zahra was also bright in the front third. Nelson Salvatore is a player that can create something special from nothing. Dandenong will be hoping for some of that against the Sharks.
The prediction
Port Melbourne have struggled for goals to say the least; scoring just the one goal off their own boot in their last five games. The Thunder haven’t kept a clean sheet in the league this season. Which way the knife will fall is a tough call, but I fancy both sides to get on the scoresheet in this one. 2-1 win to Dandenong in a cagey affair.
Pascoe Vale SC (5th) vs Werribee City FC (12th)
The form
It’s been some run of form from Pascoe Vale, who grabbed their fourth consecutive win with a midweek triumph over Dandenong Thunder. A win this week against an out of sorts Werribee City will all but assure them of finals football and also see them push for a potential top four spot. The Bees were well bested by Melbourne Knights in their last outing but have enjoyed a full week to recover from their 5-1 drubbing.
The players to watch
Paco skipper Joseph Youssef has been in fine touch this season, and has a killer instinct around the 18-yard area. Matt Lazaridis has also been in decent form as of late. Werribee’s defensive system has stood many a test this year, but capitulated against a ruthless Knights outfit. Steven Cudrig and the rest of the backline will have to regroup.
The prediction
Will the extra few days break make the difference for Werribee? Probably not, as this seems as safe of a bet as any. Pascoe Vale to get up 2-0 and continue their momentum leading into finals.
Avondale FC (10th) vs North Geelong Warriors FC (14th)
The form
Both sides will enjoy a normal build up to this clash, with the fixture gods shining in their favour and allowing them a reprieve from the midweek games. The pair are also both recovering from losses; North Geelong fell to the in form Pascoe Vale, while Avondale also fell to a team in form, Northcote City. Obviously there’s more in common between the sides, as this fixture marks the second ever clash between promoted NPL Victoria sides.
The players to watch
Matt Sanders scored Avondale’s solitary goal last game, while Mass Murdocca continues to show his class in midfield for Avondale. North Geelong created a number of chances in their clash against Paco, and Vito Cichello will need to do more of the same this week.
The prediction
Avondale triumphed in the last meeting between these two sides and you feel as if that contest set the general tone of both sides seasons. Staying up is still a realistic goal for North Geelong, and their position wouldn’t look so perilous with another three points to their name. Will it come this week? The heart says yes, but the head says a 2-0 win to Avondale.
Northcote City FC (7th) vs Oakleigh Cannons FC (9th)
The form
Northcote are in a rich vein of form, with their win against Heidelberg capping off a three win streak, and they come up against an Oakleigh who are stuttering along, with last week’s 1-1 draw against Port Melbourne their first point in three games.
The players to watch
Fullback Jacob Eliopoulos was a good performer for Northcote in their clean sheet and win against the Bergers. Jordan Wilkes in similar vein needed to be good to help tame the threat of Kaine Sheppard and Dan Heffernan. No problems at all. The pair will be faced up against attacking outlets Dean Piemonte and Dusan Bosnjak, the latter of whom will be raring to go after starting on the bench last time out.
The prediction
With Oakleigh’s form really fluctuating, and Northcote peaking, the only thing that works against the hosts favour this week is the short turnaround from their midweek game. But we’ll say an entertaining 2-2 draw.
Hume City FC (6th) vs Bentleigh Greens SC (1st)
The form
The Greens look a bit tired and only have one point to show from their last two games. It was cruel for Liam McCormick, with the in-form player missing the penalty to win the game for Bentleigh. Hume City won have found their mojo again, showing what they’re capable of with a 3-1 win over Dandenong Thunder. Goals came from all across the park too, defence, midfield and forward.
The players to watch
Wayne Wallace is back from injury and will probably have cemented his spot in the team after McCormick’s penalty miss. Football’s a bitch isn’t it? Marcus Schroen has played some good football in the middle of the park for the hosts and we may see a great midfield battle at Broadmeadows.
The prediction
Hume are fresh with no midweek game, the Greens are tired and only have one point to show from their last two games. It could be an upset win, but with the Greens itching to make amends for the last few games, we’ll go 1-1.
Melbourne Knights FC (4th) vs South Melbourne FC (2nd)
The form
The Knights just nick it in terms of form, backing up a 5-1 win over Werribee with an away point against Bentleigh, capping off a fairly fruitful month prior to that. South are making hard work for themselves with defeats against the Greens and Heidelberg, but late winner merchant Milos Lujic was there again to earn his side the win against Green Gully.
The players to watch
Young prodigy Andy Kecojevic has been getting a run in the team of late, and was agonisingly close to helping his team win against Heidelberg, with both his efforts stroking the woodwork:
For the Knights, Tomi Uskok continues to be a rock in the middle of the park, but he also apparently moonlights as an anti-corruption body in Croatia, this time piling the heat on Dinamo Zagreb cronies Zdravko and Zoran Mamic.
The prediction
Another derby, but perhaps not a perfect 4/4 clean sweep so far this season for South, with both teams settling for a 1-1 draw.
Heidelberg United FC (3rd) vs Green Gully SC (8th)
The form
The form was looking good for Heidelberg, who were fresh off a win against South Melbourne, gunning for top spot, and engaging in sweet bantz for an eggs on toast reference at the game:
Then it all came crashing down again, with the Bergers succumbing against Northcote City 1-0. It’s a similar scenario for Gully, who backed up a 4-0 thrashing of Bentleigh with a heartbreaking, last gasp 2-3 defeat against South.
The players to watch
Evan Christodolou has been very good since his move to Gully, and scored again with a great effort against South Melbourne, taking it to two goals in consecutive weeks. For Heidelberg, we featured his last week, so keep an eye out for Nejc Kolman putting in tireless shifts in the middle of the park.
The prediction
Bergers to bounce back with another close victory 2-1 victory at Gully’s expense.