A-League Preview: 22 – 26 January

Posted on January 21, 2016January 21, 2016 | Posted by Clint Vojdinoski

Brisbane Roar v Adelaide United

Friday January 22, 5pm, Suncorp Stadium

Brisbane suffered only their third defeat of the season in a miserable 4-0 loss at Melbourne Victory. The Roar began poorly as early defensive errors allowed Victory to cruise into a 2-0 lead inside 11 minutes. The Roar saw a lot of the ball but still lost the battle in the middle of the park as their midfielders failed to control wave after wave of Victory’s attacks.

Adelaide United continued their revival with a 3-1 win at home to Central Coast Mariners. Marcelo Carrusca missed a first half penalty before Craig Goodwin gave the Reds the lead on the hour mark. Goals to Pablo Sanchez and Mate Dugandzic in the final 10 minutes gave Adelaide a well deserved victory in which they bossed much of the possession and chances created.

Prediction

With Jamie Maclaren and Brandon Borrello still away on Olyroos duty, the Roar lack potency up front. Adelaide have improved defensively, and in central midfield, and look for them to cause an upset which is paying $3.35.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Adelaide United

Over 2.5 Goals

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Central Coast Mariners v Western Sydney Wanderers

Saturday January 23, 4.30pm, Central Coast Stadium

Central Coast are more than a game adrift at the bottom of the league after a 3-1 loss to Adelaide. Fabio Ferreira missed a crucial penalty on the stroke of halftime yet he cancelled out Craig Goodwin’s goal on 67 minutes. The Mariners could not hang on for a point as they were overrun in the final 10 minutes to concede twice. Goalkeeper Alistair Bray was a bright spot with several fine saves but the match reflected how much the Mariners could not keep up with Adelaide’s passing combinations and quick movement.

The Wanderers fell to a last minute winner yet they have themselves to blame as they created enough chances to see off Sydney FC. Tony Popovic’s side had 65 percent possession and displayed greater attacking impetus with Mitch Nichols and Kearyn Baccus both guilty of passing up tremendous opportunities. The result meant that the Wanderers have lost two in a row for the first time this season.

Prediction

Quite simply look for the Wanderers to take the match to an inexperienced opposition. The likes of Nichols, Romeo Castelen and Dario Vidosic have the quality to pin the Mariners midfielders back.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Western Sydney Wanderers

Over 2.5 Goals

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Newcastle Jets v Perth Glory

Sunday January 24, 2pm, Hunter Stadium

Newcastle Jets saw off an out-of-form Wellington Phoenix 3-1 to record their first win since October despite seeing Ben Kantarovski dismissed in the second half. The Jets led courtesy of Milos Trifunovic’s penalty after seven minutes and then doubled the lead inside the first half hour when Ryan Kitto pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area. Kantarovski’s second yellow card 13 minutes into the second half did not dull the Jets as David Carney made it 3-0 and Wellington never got back into the match.

Perth Glory twice came back from a goal down and survived the dismissal of Jacob Collard to draw 2-2 at home to Melbourne City. Diego Castro’s sublime free kick in first half stoppage time cancelled out Erik Paartalu’s goal. City again took the lead in the second half before Glory forward Chris Harold bagged his first goal of the season to prevent his side from crashing to a third straight loss.

Prediction

Despite a good win last week, Newcastle are still lacking creativity up front and do not do enough to trouble opposition defences. The Glory have been decimated by injuries and departures during the transfer window but will be encouraged by the improved form of Diego Castro. Newcastle have not beaten the Glory since November 2011. Look for draw which is priced at $3.40.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Draw

Under 2.5 Goals

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Melbourne City v Wellington Phoenix

Monday January 25, 4.30pm, AAMI Park

Melbourne City twice let slip the lead and failed to take advantage of Perth Glory being reduced to 10 men as they only managed a 2-2 draw. Erik Paartalu put City ahead just past the half-hour mark, heading in Aaron Mooy’s long ball before Mooy combined with Bruno Fornaroli to put City ahead just after halftime. The result meant John van’t Schip’s side have failed to win in their past six visits to Perth.

Wellington were woeful in their 3-1 loss away at Newcastle. They dominated possession, which is usually the case for any opposition against the Jets, but they failed to use the ball with any efficiency. Alarmingly, the Nix struggled for ideas after the Jets lost Ben Kantarovski for a second yellow in the second half. Matthew Ridenton’s late consolation mattered little and the result served to highlight how out of form Ernie Merrick’s men have become.

Prediction

The Nix have only taken just two points from their previous six matches and their drop off in form is drastic. City to win and take the 2.5 goal overs.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Melbourne City

Over 2.5 Goals

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Melbourne Victory v Sydney FC

Tuesday January 26, 4.30pm, Etihad Stadium

Last week, Melbourne Victory thrashed league leaders Brisbane Roar 4-0. Kosta Barbarouses bagged a double, a goal from Fahid Ben Khalfallah and a tap in to Besart Berisha gave Kevin Muscat’s team only a second win in eight league matches. The Victory raced into a three goal lead on the half hour mark as they surged through Brisbane’s sluggish defence at will. The result meant the Victory have won five straight over the Roar.

Shane Smeltz lashed home a final minute goal to help Sydney FC win the second Sydney derby of the season in a pulsating match at a sold out Parramatta Stadium. Jacques Faty had given Graham Arnold’s men a first half lead before Western Sydney midfielder Dario Vidosic equalised in the second half, but Smeltz’s final minute intervention helped the Sky Blues move level on points with the Wanderers in joint second place.

Prediction

Against Brisbane, Victory played with vibrancy, they pressed quicker when they lost the ball and they counterattacked swiftly. Sydney FC tends to sit a bit deeper and can be too ponderous against teams that prefer to play at speed.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Melbourne Victory

Over 2.5 Goals

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