A League December 11-13

Posted on December 10, 2015December 14, 2015 | Posted by Clint Vojdinoski

Clint Vojdinoski

Adelaide United v Sydney FC

Friday December 11, 4.40pm, Coopers Stadium

Adelaide United and Sydney FC kick off round 10 in the A-League.

Adelaide United picked up their first A-League win of the season thanks to an early goal from Pablo Sanchez in a 1-0 triumph over Perth Glory. Sanchez took advantage of indecision from Glory defender Antony Golec before chipping it over the onrushing Ante Covic to open the scoring. From there it was an easy stroll for Adelaide, as they created the better chances all match and are now unbeaten in six A-League matches against the Glory.

Sydney FC’s season got back on track when they toppled Newcastle Jets 1-0. The Sky Blues solitary goal came from an excellent second half move involving Milos Dimitrijevic, Milos Ninkovic and finished by Alex Brosque. Manager Graham Arnold was full of praise for his team’s efforts, describing the game as the best Sky Blues performance since he had been at the club.

Prediction

Midfielder Marcelo Carrusca is the key man to get the play moving for Adelaide but it is their troubled defence which will be under pressure. Sydney FC are keenly priced at $2.65 for an away win.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Sydney FC

Under 2.5 Goals

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Brisbane Roar v Wellington Phoenix

Saturday December 12, 2.15pm, Suncorp Stadium

Saturday’s A-League triple header starts in Brisbane with the Roar taking on Wellington Phoenix.

Mitch Nichols’ late goal sent the Roar tumbling to a 2-1 loss at Western Sydney. Mark Bridge put the Wanderers ahead before Roar striker Jamie Maclaren equalised for his fifth goal of the season. An evenly poised contest was decided by Nichols to leave John Aloisi’s men disappointed not to get a result in which their positive endeavour deserved.

Wellington’s in form strike duo Roy Krishna and Roly Bonevacia were on target as the Nix clinically defeated Victory 2-0 at North Harbour Stadium. It was a performance that demonstrated why the Nix are in the top six, Wellington’s defence impressively nullified Victory’s rampant attackers while Krishna, Bonevacia and Michael McGlinchey caused a lot of problems for Victory’s defence.

Prediction

In their previous fixture, Wellington won an open encounter 3-2. Brisbane will stick to their attacking game plan and force Wellington to come out and attack, with Roar’s midfielders looking to play balls into space for their hard running forwards. The Roar to win in yet another open game.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Brisbane Roar

Over 2.5 Goals

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Western Sydney Wanderers v Melbourne Victory

Saturday December 12, 4.30pm, Pirtek Stadium

The match of the week is the top of the table clash between the red hot Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne Victory.

The Wanderers shot to the top of the league with a 2-1 triumph over Brisbane. In the first half, Mark Bridge tapped home from Romeo Castelen’s cross after a swift counterattack in the 29th minute but Roar striker Jamie Maclaren ensured it was all square at the break before a fabulous 25 yard strike from Mitch Nichols sealed the win.

Melbourne Victory’s four match winning run in the A-League ended when they were defeated 2-0 against Wellington Phoenix. A difficult afternoon all round for Kevin Muscat’s side, despite dominating possession, they struggled to get their passing game working against a Phoenix team that pressed effectively to shut out the impact of forward trio Besart Berisha, Kosta Barbarouses and Fahid Ben Khalfallah.

Prediction

The Wanderers six straight league wins have been built off a tremendous defence which has only conceded three times in their winning run. If they sit deeper and stop Victory’s supply lines to Berisha then a seventh will be theirs.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Western Sydney Wanderers

Under 2.5 Goals

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Perth Glory v Central Coast Mariners

Saturday December 12, 6.40pm, nib Stadium

Two of the league’s strugglers meet in Perth in the final match of Saturday’s triple-header.

Perth Glory were plunged to the bottom of the A-League after yet another poor performance, this time going down 1-0 away in Adelaide. Pablo Sanchez put Adelaide up inside two minutes and from there Glory never had the fight to get back into the contest. Glory keeper Ante Covic made a splendid save to deny Sergio Cirio to keep the deficit to a single goal.

Central Coast’s winless run is now at eight matches after they were handed a 5-1 thrashing by Melbourne City. In a display which demonstrated their inexperience at both ends of the park, City trio Harry Novillo, Bruno Fornaroli and Aaron Mooy gave the Mariners defence, particularly Josh Rose and Harry Ascroft, a torrid evening. Mitch Austin’s late penalty was barely consolation after a performance which has pushed them into the wooden spoon race.

Prediction

Central Coast’s only victory was against the Glory on the opening day of the season and since then their defending has been dire, they travel poorly and at $2.08 Perth Glory are good value for a home win.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Perth Glory

Over 2.5 Goals

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Newcastle Jets v Melbourne City

Sunday December 13, 2pm, Hunter Stadium

Newcastle Jets host Melbourne City hoping to snap a five game winless run. Last time out for the Jets, they were undone by a superb Alex Brosque goal as they went down to Sydney FC 1-0. The Jets surrendered a lot of possession and their inability to create enough chances resulted in their downfall.

All of Melbourne City’s star players were on song again in their 5-1 mauling of Central Coast. It’s the second straight week that City hit five and this comprehensive thrashing was courtesy of a Harry Novillo brace plus goals to Bruno Fornaroli, Stefan Mauk and Aaron Mooy.

Prediction

The Jets’ winless November is stretching into December. The concern is that they lack a plan B after their counterattacking plan gets nullified. The understanding between Novillo and Fornaroli is starting to pay dividends for City and with a player of the calibre of Mooy being the pivot and setting up attacks for the pair, they are becoming a handful to defend against.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Melbourne City

Over 2.5 Goals

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