A-League Match Preview: 11 – 13 March

Posted on March 10, 2016 | Posted by Clint Vojdinoski

Adelaide United v Melbourne City

Friday March 11, 4.40pm, Coopers Stadium

Adelaide United swept to the top of the A-League after thrashing Wellington 4-0. Dylan McGowan and Stefan Mauk put the Reds two-up at the break, Bruce Djite made it 3-0 just after halftime with his fifth goal of the season before Pablo Sanchez sealed the result on full time. The result has helped the Reds stretch their record unbeaten run to 14 matches.

A Bruno Fornaroli hat-trick propelled Melbourne City to a 3-0 thrashing of a hapless Sydney FC. Fornaroli broke the record for most goals in an A-League regular season as the Uruguayan star bagged goals in the 41st, 71st and 82nd minutes to take his tally to 20 and keep City in the top four.

Prediction

Adelaide have kept eight clean sheets in their incredible undefeated run, and their organisation in defence and central midfield is key to stifling the league’s best attack and their star midfielder Aaron Mooy. Melbourne City are poor travellers, without an away win since December.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Adelaide United

Over 2.5 Goals

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Sydney FC v Wellington Phoenix

Saturday March 12, 2.15am, Allianz Stadium

Sydney FC put in another lacklustre performance to go down 3-0 at Melbourne City. The Sky Blues failed to convert their chances when they were in the ascendancy in the first half and were overran in the second. Despite having 60 per cent possession, the Sky Blues were undone by a superior counter-attacking team as their winless domestic run has stretched to seven matches.

Wellington put in a horror performance in their 4-0 loss at home to Adelaide United to almost extinguish their hopes of making the top six. The Phoenix were toothless in attack, registering just two shots on target and were overpowered by a clinical Adelaide who Wellington’s goal relentlessly.

Prediction

Sydney will be bolstered by the return of defenders Seb Ryall, Rhyan Grant and Jacques Faty, along with midfielder David Carney. The four of them will give the Sky Blues added steel in defence and a sorely needed creative outlet. Wellington’s inconsistency and openness at the back will see them go down yet again on the road.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Sydney FC

Under 2.5 Goals

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Brisbane Roar v Melbourne Victory

Saturday March 12, 4.30pm, Suncorp Stadium

Brisbane Roar came from behind to snatch a 3-2 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers. At 2-1 down with 12 minutes remaining, the Roar turned the match on its head with two quick goals through Jamie Maclaren, who finished with a brace, and Brisbane midfielder Dimitri Petratos. The three points took the Roar to within one point of league leaders Adelaide.

Melbourne Victory snapped their five match winless run with a routine 2-0 triumph over Central Coast Mariners. The Victory opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Jai Ingham crossed superbly for Besart Berisha. Kevin Muscat’s men remained in control for the rest of the contest and finally put the match away just before full-time when Ingham recorded a second assist by setting up Fahid Ben Khalfallah.

Prediction

Victory have won the last four straight over the Roar and travel to Brisbane very well. Brisbane can be susceptible at the back especially against a Victory front line that offers a lot of movement, therefore the Roar have to win the central midfield battle which they are capable of. A draw is paying $3.45 and is worth a look between two offensively minded teams.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Draw

Over 2.5 Goals

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Perth Glory v Central Coast Mariners

Saturday March 12, 6.40pm, nib Stadium

Perth Glory moved into the A-League’s top six with a comfortable 2-0 win over a 10-man Newcastle Jets. Andy Keogh put the Glory ahead on 37 minutes with a well-taken header from an Aryn Williams cross before Gyorgy Sandor extended the hosts’ advantage less than 60 seconds into the second half.

Central Coast Mariners fell to their 16th defeat of the season at home to Melbourne Victory. A goal down at the break, the Mariners woes deepened three minutes into the second half when Mickey Neill was shown his second yellow card and from there they were never in the contest. The Mariners had a paltry 36 percent possession and recorded no shots on target as they demonstrated why they are going to take the league’s wooden spoon.

Prediction

Perth Glory are playing confidently and the goals have been flowing as star midfielder Diego Castro has taken the lead by expertly linking play with his fellow midfielders and forwards. Expect Glory to carry on their fine form at home.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Perth Glory

Over 2.5 Goals

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Newcastle Jets v Western Sydney Wanderers

Sunday March 13, 2pm, Hunter Stadium

Newcastle’s hopes of making the finals appears to be slipping further away after a 2-0 loss away in Perth. Newcastle were second best in a contest where they failed to shackle star Glory midfielder Diego Castro, who was instrumental in both of Perth’s goals, and lacked any ambition in attack.

The Wanderers blew a 2-1 lead with less than 10 minutes remaining to fall 3-2 away at Brisbane Roar. Tony Popovic’s men fell behind inside five minutes and took nearly 70 minutes to equalise thanks to Andreu’s penalty, before Romeo Castelen’s superb solo effort put Western Sydney ahead in the 78th minute. But vital lapses in concentration allowed Jamie Maclaren and Dimitri Petratos to score within the space of three minutes to take the game away from the Wanderers.

Prediction

After suffering a loss in Perth, the wind has been knocked out of Newcastle. Up front, the Jets continually struggle to trouble their opposition whilst their defence have only kept four clean sheets all season. Look for the Wanderers to narrowly win away.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Western Sydney Wanderers

Under 2.5 Goals

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