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A-League 3 – 6 December

Posted on | Posted by Clint Vojdinoski

Clint Vojdinoski’s Preview

Central Coast Mariners v Melbourne City

Thursday December 3, 5pm, Central Coast Stadium

Week 9 of the A-League begins with freefalling Central Coast Mariners taking on Melbourne City.

The Mariners are seven matches without a win after being outplayed in a 2-0 defeat at home to the Western Sydney Wanderers. Though the Mariners attempted to take the game to the more organised Wanderers they failed to carve out any decent openings.

Melbourne City are coming off their most complete performance of the season which was of course spearheaded from star midfielder Aaron Mooy. City’s 5-1 mauling of Perth Glory was

orchestrated by the league’s best player as he was involved in all of City’s goals.

Prediction

City are decent travellers and they are taking on a struggling Central Coast team who have been too naive and will leave too much space in their defensive half. A win for Melbourne City is priced at $1.93.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Melbourne City

Over 2.5 Goals

Sydney FC v Newcastle Jets

Friday December 4, 4.40pm, Allianz Stadium

Two clubs needing to keep pace with the A-League leaders meet with Sydney FC hosting Newcastle Jets.

Sydney FC are four games without a win after a scoreless draw with Wellington Phoenix. In fact it was the first draw between the two clubs since 2007. Sydney carved out very few decent openings except for Alex Brosque hitting the post late on as the Sky Blues were unable to break down a well organised Phoenix side.

Newcastle made it three draws in a row when they settled for a 1-1 result at home to title chasing Brisbane Roar. The Jets went a goal down early in the second half rough Jamie Maclaren but found an equaliser from a goalmouth scramble. Jets substitute Ryan Kitto pounced on a loose ball in the Roar penalty box and passed to defender Ben Kantarovski, who finished from close range. The Jets were able to hang on after Brisbane threw men forward to search for the winner.

Prediction

Sydney are noticeably struggling, it should be concerning for manager Graham Arnold that his side lacks a cutting edge and create too few chances to take the game to their opposition. As for the Jets, they are undefeated away from home this season and are a tough proposition for any opponent. Have a look at a draw which is priced at $4.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Draw

Under 2.5 Goals

Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne Victory

Saturday December 5, 2.15pm,

Wellington Phoenix have a tricky proposition to get back into the A-League top six when they host Melbourne Victory.

In the previous week, the Phoenix played out a dour 0-0 draw away in Sydney. Alex Rodriguez hit the post for the Nix in the second half while forwards Roly Bonevacia and Roy Krishna helped pin the Sky Blues back into their half with keen pressing. The Nix comfortably kept Sydney at bay to record their first clean sheet of the season.

Meanwhile, Melbourne Victory assumed top spot in the A-League as they saw off Adelaide United 2-1 to record their fourth straight win. Besart Berisha tucked away a penalty for his sixth league goal of the season after Jason Geria was tripped inside the penalty area, and when Oliver Bozanic doubled the lead before the half-hour mark, three points was all but sealed for the A-League champions.

Prediction

Victory strolled to a 3-0 win when they last met at the start of November and there are no signs of their goal scoring form dissipating. An away win for Victory is paying $2.03.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Melbourne Victory

Over 2.5 Goals

Western Sydney Wanderers v Brisbane Roar

Saturday December 5, 4.30pm, Pirtek Stadium

It is the match of the week in the A-League with Western Sydney Wanderers taking on Brisbane Roar.

Second half goals to Brendon Santalab and Mitch Nichols sealed the Wanderers fifth straight league win against Central Coast. It was a strong display from Tony Popovic’s men as they carved out the better chances with Wanderers attacker Romeo Castelen hitting the post in the first half. Nikolai Topor-Stanley also went close just before the break, heading wide after a Dario Vidosic cross. But, eight minutes after coming on, Santalab would deliver for the visitors before Nichols sealed the match deep into stoppage time.

Brisbane Roar’s unbeaten run has stretched to five with a 1-1 draw against Newcastle Jets. The Roar took the lead early in the second half with a well-taken goal by Jamie Maclaren but conceded an equaliser when they failed to clear a corner effectively. Brisbane were always positive and dominated the second half but could not find the net for a winner.

Prediction

The free scoring Brisbane of the first month of the season has been replaced by a squad which fashions plenty of chances but have been more profligate while the Wanderers have returned to their clinical selves. Wanderers to take the points at home.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Western Sydney Wanderers

Over 2.5 Goals

Adelaide United v Perth Glory

Sunday December 6, 2pm, Coopers Stadium

To close week 9 of the A-League, it is a cellar dweller match up between Adelaide United and Perth Glory.

Despite going down 2-1, Adelaide United put in a much improved effort away at high-flying Melbourne Victory. Responding to being two goals down at half-time, United took the game to Victory in the second half with Marcelo Carrusca finally showing some form, coming off the bench to link play between midfield and attack and converting a late penalty to give United a ray of hope.

Perth Glory’s dire season continued at Melbourne City. The Glory put in one of their most inept performances in seasons as they were thrashed 5-1. Glory’s strategy of fielding an attacking lineup with Diego Castro and Nebojsa Marinkovic in central midfield backfired as the pair failed to track back and defend which resulted in Glory being outnumbered in the middle of the park.

Prediction

Both clubs have made exceptionally poor starts to the season with both teams’ forwards showing a lack of incision. More importantly, Glory’s lack of balance in their lineup is startling which makes an Adelaide win a decent bet at $1.70.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Adelaide United

Over 2.5 Goals




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