There are not many tasks harder in the Illawarra Premier League than taking on Wollongong United at home. But the Rangers hope to give it a fair shake when the sides meet on Saturday.
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Oli Vrtkovski's United have again been among the IPL's standouts, dropping just one game in the opening 12 rounds and head into the match on the back of a resounding 5-0 Bert Bampton Cup win over Olympic.
United prevailed 4-2 over Corrimal in the reverse fixture two months ago and are deserved favourites at Macedonia Park.
"They're probably the best team in the comp," Rangers coach Goran Trajeceski said.
"We're going in a little bit depleted this week, we've got Daniel Kelly and Douglas Gray out. But we'll go out there and give 100 per cent, and fingers crossed we can get a result.
"Their midfield is quality and Mason Versi out wide is very dangerous. We've got to get back behind the ball and defend our hearts out. We need to get some confidence for the South Coast United game the following week."
With 10 rounds remaining, it shapes as make-or-break time for the Rangers, who sit ninth on the ladder.
Corrimal are eight points adrift from the top five, but seven points ahead of the last-placed South Coast United.
Anything could still happen this season for the 2019 grand final winners, who will lean on the likes of Rick Goodchild, Sandy Lowcock, Fabian Iacovelli, Dean Pender and Nathan Belsito to lead the way in the back-half of their campaign.
"In the next four or five weeks, we need to really step up. And our senior players really need to step up as well," Trajceski said.
"We've shown some good signs but we've barely fielded the same side week in, week out. We've had a lot of injuries and some suspensions. We're debuting kids from the reserves and 20s, and our spine is thin at the moment. We've just got to dig deep the next few weeks and see how things go."
The IPL's 13th round kicks off on Friday night with Cringila hosting Olympic at Crehan Park.
The action continues on Saturday with a couple of games that could have huge ramifications on the top five.
Bulli will look to retain their hold on fifth spot when they tackle the Blueys at Balls Paddock; Albion Park will aim to keep piling pressure on the top three sides when they travel to Elizabeth Reserve to face Bellambi, and Port Kembla and Woonona will battle at Wetherall Park as both sides aim to keep their finals hopes alive.
Coniston seek to consolidate second position on the ladder when they host SCU at JJ Kelly Park on Sunday.
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