A-League Match Preview – 19-21 February

Posted on February 18, 2016February 18, 2016 | Posted by Clint Vojdinoski

Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United

Friday February 19, 4.40pm, AAMI Park

Melbourne Victory twice came from behind to claim a 2-2 draw against Melbourne City in a pulsating derby. The first equaliser came after Fahid Ben Khalfallah’s delicate lob. Two minutes after halftime Gui Finkler made it two-all when he was played onside to scrappily bundle the ball home off his shoulder. The controversy occurred five minutes after the second equaliser when Finkler was not awarded a goal despite replays showing his free kick crashing off the underside of the crossbar and over the line.

Adelaide United have rocketed up to third after a come-from-behind 3-2 win away at Central Coast Mariners. A goal down at halftime, the Reds hit back with a free kick from Isaias and goals from Bruce Djite and Stefan Mauk. The result extends the Reds unbeaten run in the A-League to 11.

Prediction

Adelaide has been undefeated in the league since December 6 but questions remain whether they can win the difficult matches away from home.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Melbourne Victory
Over 2.5 Goals

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Newcastle Jets v Wellington Phoenix

Saturday February 20, 2.15pm, Hunter Stadium

Newcastle Jets showed a lot of character to claim a 2-2 draw away at league leaders Brisbane Roar with Scott Miller’s men holding out in the face of Brisbane’s 23 shots and 64 percent possession. Quick-fire first half goals from Mitch Cooper and a Milos Trifunovic penalty overturned an early 1-0 deficit, but Brisbane found an equaliser with 20 minutes to play after Enver Alivodic diverted a cross into his own net.

Blake Powell put in the performance of the season to propel Wellington Phoenix to a stunning 5-2 thrashing over Western Sydney Wanderers. Powell scored the A-League’s first hat-trick of the season in an astonishing first 33 minutes and added a fourth with 19 minutes left as the Phoenix snapped their nine game winless run in some style. Michael McGlinchey converted a late penalty to make it five and seal a dramatic result.

Prediction

Wellington will need to bring the same dynamism they showed against the Wanderers against a defensive-minded Jets. Newcastle defeated the Nix 3-1 at home when they last played in January but this time have at a look at a draw between two clubs that are likely to miss the top six.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Draw
Under 2.5 Goals

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Sydney FC v Western Sydney Wanderers

Saturday February 20, 4.30pm, Allianz Stadium

Sydney FC put in another flat performance to slip 2-1 at home to Perth Glory. The Sky Blues went a goal down after a howler from goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic allowed Glory striker Andy Keogh a simple tap in and fell two behind midway through the second half. Shane Smeltz gave Sydney a lifeline with 11 minutes to play but in truth the team never created enough openings to force a draw. The Sky Blues managed just one shot on target in the 90 minutes and appeared devoid of ideas to breakdown a committed Glory defence.

Western Sydney Wanderers missed the chance to retake top spot in the A-League as they were stunned 5-2 at home to Wellington Phoenix. The Wanderers were uncharacteristically flat as Tony Popovic’s men had no answers to an incredible four goal haul from Nix forward Blake Powell and a late Michael McGlinchey penalty to concede five for the first time in their history. A Mitch Nichols screamer and a strike from Mark Bridge gave the scoreline a tad of respectability while defender Jonathan Aspropotamitis was sent off late in the match.

Prediction

Sydney FC enters the third derby of the season in poor form, the Sky Blues are winless in four matches and their place in the finals is not looking assured. Western Sydney are winless in the last six derbies, losing the last three but injuries are derailing the team’s momentum. Take a draw.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Draw
Over 2.5 Goals

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Perth Glory v Brisbane Roar

Saturday February 20, 6.40pm, nib Stadium

Perth Glory made it a club record three away wins in a row with a 2-1 triumph away at Sydney FC. Andy Keogh capitalised on an error from goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic to tap home the opener on 23 minutes and Chris Harold doubled the lead midway through the second half with his fifth goal in as many games after a swift interplay of passing. The result has allowed Glory to close within three points of the top six.

An own goal from Newcastle’s Enver Alivodic helped Brisbane Roar to a hard-fought 2-2 draw against the Jets. In-form Jamie Maclaren put the Roar in front on six minutes when he scored from a rebound after seeing his initial penalty saved. The Jets responded promptly with goals on 15 and 19 minutes, the second of those from the spot after Brisbane defender Corey Brown handballed in the area when attempting a headed clearance. To their credit Brisbane pushed for an equaliser which came when Alivodic turned Jade North’s cross into his own net with 20 minutes left.

Prediction

The Glory is also on a four game winning streak, equalling a club record, and their revival has been built on improved quality in midfield with the likes of Diego Castro being influential. Brisbane have been inconsistent on the road so have a look at Glory to cause a slight upset at home which is paying $2.70.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Perth Glory
Over 2.5 Goals

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Melbourne City v Central Coast Mariners

Sunday February 21, 2pm, AAMI Park

Melbourne City stayed above Melbourne Victory in the A-League after a dramatic 2-2 derby draw. Bruno Fornaroli put City ahead after 22 minutes, clipping Aaron Mooy’s pass over Victory keeper Danny Vukovic after starting the move with a brilliant run through midfield. Fornaroli made it 2-1 when he glanced in Mooy’s free kick. City were second best in the second half and were most fortunate when officials failed to award Victory a goal when Gui Finkler’s free kick had crossed the line.

The Central Coast Mariners are firmly rooted to the bottom of the league after slipping to a 3-2 defeat at home to Adelaide. Fabio Ferreira put the Mariners a goal up on 31 minutes with a smart one-on-one finish but the team’s defensive frailties was on show again as they conceded three times in the second half. Josh Bingham’s stoppage time strike was merely a consolation for the Mariners.

Prediction

Central Coast’s season is very much done, and as they have struggled to keep clean sheets all season long they will find it difficult to stop City’s attack minded game plan.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Melbourne City
Over 2.5 Goals

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