Sports

This Weekend’s A-League Preview

Posted on | Posted by Clint Vojdinoski

Melbourne City v Adelaide United

Friday April 8, 5.40pm, AAMI Park

Melbourne City showed off both poor defensive issues and a helter-skelter attack as they went down 3-2 at Perth Glory. The Glory rushed out to a 3-0 lead in the second half as they found a lot of space in City’s defence. Despite Bruno Fornaroli and substitute Marc Marino cutting the margin to a single goal, City were unable to force a draw.

Adelaide United stayed in contention for the Premiers’ Plate after a 2-0 triumph away at Sydney FC. Bruce Djite grabbed both goals in the first half to put the Reds in complete control before they comfortably saw out the second half. The Reds dominated their dispirited opponents in all areas and barely needed to get out of first gear over the 90 minutes.

Prediction

After an improvement in defence over the last month, issues popped up again for City as an adventurous Glory found a way to stretch their defenders. City have to win and hope both Brisbane Roar and Western Sydney Wanderers fail to triumph to take their first Premiers Plate. Adelaide have a lot of defensive steel, plus Bruce Djite is in form up front, yet the impetus will be on them to take the game to City to ensure that they can seal a top two spot.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Draw

Over 2.5 Goals

Central Coast Mariners v Newcastle Jets

Saturday April 9, 3.15pm, Central Coast Stadium

Central Coast’s awful season continued to lurch towards an inevitable finish after a 4-1 defeat at Western Sydney Wanderers. The Mariners had already collected the wooden spoon and they showed why in this clash as they were overpowered by a far more technical opponent. The only bright spot was Luis Garcia’s goal in the 21st minute, heading home from close range after a fine cross from Mitch Austin.

Newcastle Jets had defender Nigel Boogaard sent off yet again as they let a one-goal lead slip to fall to a 2-1 loss at Brisbane Roar. Five minutes into the second half, Leonardo converted from the spot after Jade North was penalised for handball. On 65 minutes, Boogaard gave away a penalty which was converted while given his marching orders. Playing a man down, the Jets could not withstand Brisbane’s one-man advantage as Thomas Broich broke through for the winner.

Prediction

Both teams have nothing to play for but pride in the final F3 derby of the season. The last time both sides met, Newcastle snapped a nine match winless run against the Mariners with a 1-0 win and they will repeat the trick this time.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Newcastle Jets

Under 2.5 Goals

Melbourne Victory v Brisbane Roar

Saturday April 9, 5.30pm, AAMI Park

Melbourne Victory booked their place in the finals following a 4-1 thrashing of Wellington Phoenix. Goals from Besart Berisha and Oliver Bozanic inside the opening 20 minutes had Victory coasting before Berisha stupidly got himself sent off for lashing out at Andrew Durante. Kosta Barbarouses made it 3-0 early in the second half, just a minute after Phoenix lost Albert Riera for a second booking. Wellington pulled a goal back late on but Kevin Muscat’s men had the final say with George Howard making it 4-1 in stoppage time.

A fast-finishing Brisbane Roar took the driver’s seat in the A-League’s run to the Premiers Plate after a comeback 2-1 win against a 10-man Newcastle Jets. A goal down just after halftime, the Roar equalised thanks to Henrique’s penalty before Thomas Broich grabbed his first goal of the season in the 73rd minute to put Brisbane into first place in the final week of the season.

Prediction

The Victory have struck a bit of form at the right end of the season but the loss of Besart Berisha to suspension is going to hurt them a lot. The loss of their key striker is compounded by their grueling midweek trip to South Korea for an Asian Champions League tie. While Brisbane’s last two victories have not been convincing, but if they execute the same counterattacking game plan that proved so successful the last time faced the Victory they will take the three points.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Brisbane Roar

Over 2.5 Goals

Wellington Phoenix v Western Sydney Wanderers

Sunday April 10, 1pm, Westpac Stadium

Wellington Phoenix’s woeful season is almost over a poor 4-1 loss at home to Melbourne Victory. Ernie Merrick’s men were 3-0 down after 56 minutes and lost Albert Riera following a second booking to level the match at 10-men apiece. There was little to cheer despite Roly Bonevacia’s late goal. To round off the frustration, soon after Bonevacia’s strike, Michael McGlinchey hopelessly put his penalty wide of the woodwork, which would have brought the scores back to 3-2.

Brendon Santalab’s double helped Western Sydney Wanderers power to a 4-1 win over Central Coast Mariners. The Wanderers took the lead on eight minutes when Romeo Castelen cut inside and unleashed a bullet of a shot. Santalab restored his side’s lead in the 36th minute when he scored from close range after a loose ball fell his way and then made it 3-1 shortly after halftime when he headed in Scott Neville’s cross at the far post. Mitch Nichols rounded off the scoring late on.

Prediction

Wellington’s players have one final shot to impress Merrick as many are likely to be playing for new contracts but the squad have appeared disjointed since they have fallen out of the finals reckoning. The Wanderers will take the points.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Western Sydney Wanderers

Over 2.5 Goals

Sydney FC v Perth Glory

Sunday April 10, 3pm, Allianz Stadium

A first half double from Adelaide United striker Bruce Djite sunk a listless Sydney FC 2-0. Sydney’s faint finals hopes were ended before kick-off, due to Melbourne Victory’s win in Wellington, but it would not have mattered as they put in a tame performance capped off by defender Zac Anderson who had a first half to forget as he was at fault for both of Adelaide’s goals. Sydney’s season sunk to a new low as this result meant they have gone a club record 11 A-League games without a win.

Perth Glory made ten wins in eleven matches with a deserved 3-2 triumph over Melbourne City. In 15 minutes early in the second half, Andy Keogh opened the scoring and broke an Australian national league goalscoring record by scoring in eight consecutive matches, Gyorgy Sandor made it two before Diego Castro’s sumptuous volley made it three in the 69th minute. As the game opened up, keeper Ante Covic also made fine saves to help preserve Glory’s advantage.

Prediction

The Sky Blues’ A-League campaign has ended with a whimper, showing they are a side that is so clearly lacking in cohesion and confidence. Perth Glory are ending their regular season with a surge and will make it two away wins in a row over Sydney.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Perth Glory

Under 2.5 Goals

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