MetroStars v Adelaide Blue Eagles
South Australia National Premier League Round 12

When: Saturday, May 10th, Kick-off 5pm
Where: TK Shutter Reserve, Fourth Avenue, KLEMZIG

Teams:

MetroStars: A. Cosmidis, M. D Aloisio, L. D'Arrigo, M. Deegan, D. Godley, S. Grelli, J. Groves, D. Menechella, P. Mitris, J. Polisena, L. Robertson, A. Solagna, A. Van Dommele

Adelaide Blue Eagles: C. Annicchiarico, C. Atsikbasis, J. Boyokino, D. Crettenden, F. Filletti, J. Giannitto, A. Harris, K. Harris, C. Mbarga, P. Piantedosi, S. Saccoh, M. Tosic, S. Viola

Form:

MetroStars: L L L

Coca-Cola Federation Cup Quarter-Final: MetroStars 1-1 Adelaide City (4-5 on penalties)
Round 10: MetroStars 0-2 Campbelltown City, TK Shutter Reserve
Round 11: West Adelaide 2-0 MetroStars, Adelaide Shores Football Centre

Adelaide Blue Eagles: L W W

Round 9: Adelaide Blue Eagles 1-2 Adelaide Comets, Marden Sports Complex
Round 10: Para Hills 2-5 Adelaide Blue Eagles, The Paddocks
Round 11: Adelaide Blue Eagles 2-0 Western Strikers, Marden Sports Complex

Preview:

 

MetroStars are seeking a return to winning ways against local rival and second-placed Adelaide Blue Eagles in Round 12 of the South Australia National Premier League at TK Shutter Reserve on Saturday.

 

Ivan Karlovic’s side suffered a second successive League defeat last weekend, going down 2-0 versus West Adelaide. The result leaves them in seventh.

 

Perry Mitris admits it’s not ideal, but says there is no reason to panic.

 

“It was disappointing to lose, but I thought we played well and created chances. Unfortunately if you don’t take them you don’t win,” Mitris stated.

 

“We are playing good football, but the results are not going our way. We are working on a few different things to hopefully turn it around.

 

“Seventh is not ideal, but we aren’t hitting panic stations. The season is just approaching the halfway stage.”

 

While MetroStars have proven miserly in defence – 13 goals conceded, a League best – they have netted just the same number. That’s eight less than their weekend opponents.

 

Mitris says it’s an area they can improve as MetroStars look to return to the top six.

 

“We need to execute better in the final third. I think it comes down to belief and confidence because we know we have the ability to put them away.

 

“As always it will be a tough game against Blue Eagles. They are playing well. We respect them, but don’t fear them and think we can get the points.”

 

Blue Eagles 2-0 win against Western Strikers last Saturday was their fifth win in six matches. It was also their first clean sheet since Round 6.

 

Fortunato Filletti believes things are going well at the moment.

 

“We played a good game against Strikers. I thought we pushed the ball around well and created chances,” Filletti noted.

 

“We are doing well at the moment. Things are working for us, training is good and there are no major injuries. Hopefully we can keep this form going as we approach the business end of the season.”

 

Blue Eagles are just two points behind leaders West Adelaide, but have a host of teams breathing down their necks. This includes Croydon and Adelaide Comets, two points down the road.

 

Filletti says finishing first is their goal, but acknowledges it will be a tough test against MetroStars.

 

“Certainly with the table so close it spurs you on to aim for three points every week. We want to finish top at the end of the season, so these games are critical.

 

“We need a win this weekend. MetroStars are a good team, we always have a battle against them. They could easily be higher on the ladder than at present.”

 

Elsewhere on Saturday, Western Strikers are aiming to steer clear of the drop zone when they face resurgent South Adelaide at Carnegie Reserve.

 

Strikers have lost two in a row and sit only a point outside of relegation danger. South are pulling clear after picking up four points in their last two games.

 

Raiders have a tall order ahead to bounce back from recent losses, taking on West Adelaide at the Croatian Sports Centre.

 

The hosts have slipped to ninth on the back of three defeats. West continue to be the pace-setter, winning their last three to sit two points clear of the chasing pack.

 

Croydon are aiming to maintain their run of form against West Torrens Birkalla at Polonia Reserve.

 

The Kings have picked up seven points from a possible nine, although they were eliminated in the Coca-Cola Federation Cup Semi-Final. Meanwhile, Birkalla’s form has been inconsistent. They most recently suffered a defeat at Adelaide City.

 

Adelaide Comets will seek to inflict further misery on Cumberland United when the pair collide at Santos Stadium.

 

Comets roared back on to the winners list by thumping White City. They have won seven matches from the past eight. Meanwhile, the Foxes winless run extended last Saturday, as they look to salvage their season.

 

In-form duo Campbelltown City and Adelaide City clash at Steve Woodcock Sports Centre.

 

Currently fifth and sixth on the table and separated by only one point, both will be buoyed by recent results. The Red Devils have claimed back-to-back wins, while City have won a season-high three on the trot and also advanced to the Cup Final.

 

Both Para Hills and White City are aiming to bounce back from defeats at The Paddocks.

 

The Knights, still winless since Round 3, have slipped into the bottom two. They will want to keep pace with those above, just as the Warriors hope to do in their quest for a top-six spot. They were hammered 5-0 last week.

 

 

Saturday May 10

 

Western Strikers v South Adelaide
3pm - Carnegie Reserve, Kingston Avenue, ROYAL PARK

 

Raiders v West Adelaide
3pm - Croatian Sports Centre, State Sports Park, off Main North Road, GEPPS CROSS

 

Croydon v West Torrens Birkalla
3pm - Polonia Reserve, Essex Crescent, CROYDON PARK

 

Adelaide Comets v Cumberland United
3pm - Santos Stadium, Railway Terrace, MILE END

 

Campbelltown City v Adelaide City
3pm - Steve Woodcock Sports Centre, Stradbroke Road, NEWTON

 

Para Hills v White City
3pm - The Paddocks, Bridge Road, PARA HILLS