A-League preview: Reds face big test
Heat will be a factor in tonight’s A-League clash in Adelaide with the third-placed Reds hosting second-placed Sydney.
Top spot will go to the winner of this mouth-watering clash.
There’s an earlier kickoff in Wellington where the Phoenix will hope to catch Western Sydney with a hangover from their Asian Champions League success.
Here’s our preview and tips for every match in Round 5 of the A-League.
FRIDAY, Nov 7
Wellington Phoenix v Western Sydney Wanderers at Westpac Stadium 5:30pm
Head to Head: Phoenix 2 Wanderers 2 Draw 2
Last clash: Round 13 2013-14 Phoenix 3 bt Wanderers 1 at Parramatta Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Phoenix $2.45 Wanderers $2.65 Draw $3.50
After a 26,000 kilometre round trip to Riyadh to claim the Asian Champions League, the Wanderers should have no trouble with the mere three and a half hour trip to Wellington. Resuming in the A-League after two weeks break, Western Sydney are still pointless and must start picking up points quickly before major fixture congestion. Tony Popovic could hand Nikita Rukavytsya a debut as he juggles injuries and tired bodies. Wellington have reported a full squad to select from but after a 2-0 reverse against Victory on Monday, have only four days to prepare. Ernie Merrick’s side have looked strong in their opening month and could have too much for a tired Wanderers on their patch.
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Key: Conditioning staff. How Popovic prepares his troops to back up from their Saudi Arabian triumph and how Merrick’s men handle a four-day break will be key.
Tip: Phoenix
Adelaide United v Sydney FC at Coopers Stadium 7:45pm
Head to Head: AdUtd 13 Sydney 12 Drawn 4
Last clash: Round 24 2013-14 AdUtd 3 bt Sydney FC 1 at Coopers Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: AdUtd $2.15 Sydney $3.10 Draw $3.50
A mouthwatering top of the table clash takes Graham Arnold’s rejuvenated Sydney FC to the home of Josep Gombau’s entertaining mob in Adelaide. With three wins apiece, top place on the table will head to the winner. Sydney purred to a 2-0 win over Central Coast last week to continue their fine start to the season, and it will be hard to see their attacking talent – led by strikers Corey Gameiro, Marc Janko and Alex Brosque – kept to a clean sheet. Equally, Adelaide know a route to goal, with Sergio Cirio and Bruce Djite on fire. While the Reds will miss Fabio Ferreira, who scored against Sydney in all three meetings last season, this looms as a shoot-out not to be missed.
Key: How will Arnold organise his side to counter Adelaide’s unique style? Expect Terry Antonis and Milos Dimitrijevic to be busy boys in the midfield.
Tip: Draw
SATURDAY, Nov 8
Newcastle Jets v Melbourne Victory at Hunter Stadium 5:00pm
Head to Head: Jets 12 Victory 9 Draw 6
Last clash: Round 26 2013-14 Jets 2 drew with Victory 2 at Hunter Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Jets $3.30 Victory $2.05 Draw $3.50
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Under Kevin Muscat Victory are enjoying their best start to an A-League campaign in six years, but head to one of their bogey venues in the Hunter. Victory have taken three points home from Newcastle just once in eight seasons. Surely their red-hot form will improve that record? Besart Berisha will travel after a groin injury but three key defenders: Jason Geria (ankle), Matthieu Delpierre (hamstring) and Nick Ansell (foot) are still sidelined. After four matches on the road to start the season, Newcastle will be pleased to kick off their home campaign. Former Victory marquee Marcos Flores has also been named in an extended Jets squad, which has looked better than the one point gained from four matches suggests.
Key: Berisha’s return could be key – according to Opta statistics, he has scored with all four of his efforts on goal this season.
Tip: Victory
Brisbane Roar v Melbourne City at Suncorp Stadium 8.30pm
Head to Head: Roar 6 City 4 drawn 2
Last clash: Round 25 2013-2014 – Roar 2 bt City 1 at Suncorp Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Roar $2 City $3.50 Draw $3.50
A week is a long time in football – just ask the Roar. Brisbane have been left stewing on the sidelines, itching to turn around a win-less season start due to a last round clash with Western Sydney’s Asian Champions League campaign. They have had plenty of time to reflect on their plight. And it’s not pretty. No A-League team has claimed back-to-back titles after losing their first three games. But there’s another stat Brisbane will cling to during their dark times – they have won three of the last four championships. And Brisbane will back themselves at home against a win-less City outfit without David Villa that has equalled their previous entity Heart’s worst season start.
Key: Brisbane will be lifted by the return of Socceroos midfielder Matt McKay who will be keen to do all his talking with his boots after a two game spell for dissent.
Tip: Roar
SUNDAY, Nov 9
Central Coast Mariners v Perth Glory at Central Coast Stadium 5pm
Head to head: Mariners 17 Glory 6 drawn 5
Last clash: Round 26 2013-14 – Glory 3 bt Mariners 1 at nib Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Mariners $2.20 Glory $3 Draw $3.50
There’s a real buzz around the Glory – and just as well. They will need all the help they can get to survive yet another testing period. However, the Glory are victims of their own success. Due to their stunning FFA Cup run Perth will play two matches in three days and, for the second time this season, three matches in a week. Their FFA Cup semi-final against Bentleigh Greens in Melbourne on Tuesday will be sandwiched between A-League fixtures against the Mariners in Gosford and newly crowned Asian champions Western Sydney Wanderers at home six days later. Oh, and Perth will also lose four players to international duty next week. The Mariners are also in the FFA Cup semis – but that’s where the similarities end with the in-form Perth. Central Coast will hope to spark something at home after winning just one of their last three matches.
Key: That man Andy Keogh. The Glory will hope their prized recruit who has notched a total of nine goals this season will be fighting fit after being placed on light duties this week.
Tip: Glory
