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Preview of round four of the A-League this weekend (all times local).
FRIDAY
MELBOURNE VICTORY v ADELAIDE UNITED at Telstra Dome, 8pm
Head to head: Melbourne 4, Adelaide 5, drawn 3
Last meeting: Melbourne 2 drew Adelaide 2 at Telstra Dome, December 2007
TAB Sportsbet: Melbourne $1.85, Draw $3.35, Adelaide $4
Two clubs who are back in town renew one of the A-League’s biggest rivalries while both are on top of their game. Two wins and a draw each so far, and some terrific football to boot. Melbourne’s 5-0 whitewash of defending champions Newcastle tightened them in to equal championship favourites. For the no-less-impressive Adelaide, it’s the start of three games in eight days as they shoehorn next week’s Asian Champions League quarter-final in between league fixtures. Melbourne’s Costa Rican midfielder Jose Luis Lopez is unlikely to return from World Cup duty in time, but there’s no shortage of back-up for the Victory – Grant Brebner could be the man to slot into defensive midfield. And does Archie Thompson start the match after signing a new deal during the week? Coach Ernie Merrick must love his embarrassment of riches.
Key: Which defence holds firm best against the competition’s strongest attacking threats – on both sides. Thompson, Danny Allsopp and Ney Fabiano for the Victory, Brazilian Cristiano, Paul Agostino and Travis Dodd for the Reds.
Tip: Draw
SATURDAY
NEWCASTLE JETS v SYDNEY FC at EnergyAustralia Stadium, 7pm
Head to head: Newcastle 2, Sydney FC 5, drawn 4
Last meeting: Sydney FC 1 bt Newcastle 0 at Sydney Football Stadium, December 2007
TAB Sportsbet: Newcastle $3, Draw $3.30, Sydney FC $2.20
On form this game looks a one-horse race, with Sydney FC on fire and Newcastle struggling to recapture the form that saw them capture last year’s title. Sydney FC are undefeated in their opening three matches while the Jets are still yet to secure a win. However, with home-ground advantage on their side and a two-week break to move on from their embarrassing 5-0 demolition by Melbourne, the Jets will be desperate to get their campaign back on track. The good news for Newcastle is that Sydney have lost veteran midfielder Simon Colosimo to a groin injury, but they will hardly be celebrating with international strikers John Aloisi (knee) and Tony Popovic (hamstring) set to make starting returns. The Jets have some concerns over defenders Adam Griffiths (calf strain) and Jade North (returning from Socceroos duty) but coach Gary van Egmond is hopeful both will be able to play.
Key: Newcastle must fix their defensive woes to have any chance. They have conceded nine goals in their opening three games and that could spell serious trouble against a side which includes the attacking might of Aloisi, Alex Brosque and Steve Corica.
Tip: Sydney FC
SUNDAY
PERTH GLORY v QUEENSLAND ROAR at Members Equity Stadium, 3pm
Head to head: Wellington 0, Queensland 3
Last meeting: Queensland 4 bt Perth 1 at Members Equity Stadium, December 2007
TAB Sportsbet: Perth $2.55, Draw $3.30, Queensland $2.55
Both sides have shown glimpses of promise this season but are yet to deliver, with neither posting a win in the opening three rounds. The Roar have managed two draws and a loss while the Glory’s solitary point came from a 3-3 draw with Newcastle last month. Dave Mitchell’s side has let itself down with sloppy defensive errors in recent weeks and the coach has put his entire squad on notice ahead of this match. The Roar, meanwhile, appear to be taking some time to settle with new recruits Charlie Miller and Serginho Van Dijk on board. Queensland’s preparations were disrupted last Friday when captain Craig Moore sustained an unusual hip injury but coach Frank Farina is confident the veteran centre back will play. History is also on the Roar’s side having taken three points in six of nine clash between the sides.
Key: The Glory’s off-season signings, Brazilian international Amaral and Ivory Coast striker Eugene Dadi have been linking up with increasing effectiveness and loom as the biggest threat to the Roar.
Tip: Draw
WELLINGTON PHOENIX v CENTRAL COAST MARINERS at Westpac Stadium, 5pm
Head to head: Perth 1, Queensland 6, drawn 2
Last meeting: Central Coast 2 bt Wellington 0 at Bluetongue Stadium, January 2008
TAB Sportsbet: Wellington $2.70, Draw $3.30, Central Coast $2.40
Strong off-season recruiting has done little for Wellington’s results so far this season and their patchy defence is continuing to prove coach Ricki Herbert’s biggest problem. However, the New Zealand coach will also be concerned that, unlike some other sides struggling with defence, Wellington are not exactly firing at the other end either with just three goals so far this season. Their attacking edge should be resorted somewhat against the Mariners with Shane Smeltz returning from international duty and, buoyed by home support, they will be driven to start fulfilling the potential many said they had prior to the season. They will face a Mariners outfit high in confidence, however, after an impressive 4-2 away win over Queensland last round. Ahmad Elrich is out for the season but the Mariners do welcome back winger Adrian Caceres from a back injury this week.
Key: Even without Elrich, Central Coast appear to have a clear edge in their attacking options, with Sasho Petrovski, Matt Simon and Dylan McAllister already chiming with two goals each this season.
Tip: Mariners
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