Lew's Predictions

Round 10 in the Dycer Construction Soccer Premiership pits Blue Lake against Apollo, Inter travel to Millicent, Centrals host Portland while Naracoorte face the Sharks.

In the match of the round Apollo will travel to Malseed park knowing that the last time the two met here ended in a two all draw and a similar result this time will cost it dearly in it’s quest for the premiership. Blue Lake has been going along nicely over the last two months and is really looking forward to this game. The Blues should be at full strength this week with goalkeeper Andy Armandi finally overcoming a hand injury. Coach Sam Ferguson has them playing very committed soccer. Their back four have been very good this year ably led by Blair Branstone, the midfield is as good as any on its day and with Ferguson and Thomson in great scoring touch this is a great opportunity to get a big scalp. This year Blue Lake has drawn with both Centrals and Apollo, but is yet to take that next step by actually beating one of the top three. This may be their best chance of doing so. Apollo would believe that they are a great chance of taking out the Premiership and that they need to win these games to stay in touch with Inter until their next meeting. They have a good young side with Matty Ripper, Chris Bytheway and Marcus Wallis and when you add in the experience of Paul Prentice, Adam Hodge and Luke Odgers they are a formidable opponent. Derek Ferguson has been pushing the team to stay focussed, knowing that consistency is the key to their success. I sat on the fence with my prediction the last time they met and will do so again 2-2 draw.

Millicent is another side which has pushed the big teams but are not able to take full points. Both times that they have played Inter they have been in winning positions only to concede goals late in the game. They rely too much on too few with the likes of Matt Gregetic, Cameron Saint and Brett Dibley being prominent. Inter on the other hand have strengths all over the park and have been able to rest some of their players in an effort to keep them in top shape at the business end of the season. Christian Cella is in brilliant form of late and must be stopped. The problem is stop him and there is Joel Redfern, Adam Osman Dante Bonner and Co to step up. Although Millicent has troubled them in the past I think Inter will win 4-1.

Centrals will hope to get back on track this week when it comes up against struggling Portland. It has been turmoil at Centrals in the last 6 days with them losing 5-0 to Inter on Sunday and then having their senior coach Phil Muller resign. Shane Dycer takes over and is assisted by Adrian Koop and Bruce Morale. Shane has previously coached Centrals in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008 so he knows what is required, the question is can he change the fortunes around. They have had their problems with injury however they are starting to get some good players back, but a lot depends on whether Bruce Morale is fit. He struggled last week and it would be unlikely that he plays this week. Portland is still without a win this season and I cannot see that changing this week. They do not travel well and do not always have a full team available; therefore I can’t see them being able to hold Centrals Centrals to win 6-0

The final game is Naracoorte at home to the Sharks. The Sharks have dropped down to 6th in recent weeks and they will need to improve dramatically to have any chance of getting back into top 4 contention. They are playing inconsistently and rarely have the same team from one week to another. If they can take close to their best team to Naracoorte then they should get back on the winning list. Naracoorte at home should be able to push the Sharks all the way if they are able to get their best 11 together, as they have also been hampered by injury and unavailability. Not knowing who will have the most players available makes it hard to predict an outcome, however I will tip the Sharks to win 3-2