By AAP
October 23rd 2009 @ 5:58am
Round 12 A-League match previews
Preview of round 12 of the A-League (all times AEDT).
FRIDAY
NEWCASTLE JETS v CENTRAL COAST MARINERS at EnergyAustralia Stadium, 8pm
Head to head: Newcastle 6, Central Coast 5, Draws 7
Last meeting: Central Coast drew with Newcastle 1-1 at Bluetongue Stadium, Aug 2009
TAB Sportsbet: Newcastle $2.50, Draw $3.30, Central Coast $2.60
The Mariners have conceded the fewest goals of any team in the league (six in 11 games), while the Jets are the competition’s lowest-scoring club, with nine goals. Worryingly, Newcastle have picked up just two points in their past six games and scored only four goals in that time, suggesting they face an enormous task in this game. Particularly so, with the Mariners full of confidence after last round’s 3-0 thrashing of Brisbane and completely injury-free. But Jets coach Branko Culina believes that if his side can boost their confidence with a breakthrough win, they can still get on a roll and do some damage this season. A home clash with their arch-rivals would be the ideal time to start.
Key: The Mariners have not conceded more than a single goal in any match so far and it is unlikely the Jets will be the team to change that record.
Tip: Central Coast
SATURDAY
MELBOURNE VICTORY v ADELAIDE UNITED at Etihad Stadium, 6.30pm
Head to head: Melbourne 11, Adelaide 5, Draws 3
Last meeting: Melbourne 2 bt Adelaide 0 at Hindmarsh Stadium, Sept 2009
TAB Sportsbet: Melbourne $1.77, Draw $3.35, Adelaide $4.50
Adelaide will take unpleasant memories to Etihad Stadium for what is their first match there since last season’s grand final loss. That was just one of six defeats they had to the Victory last season. They made it seven straight to their rivals a little more than a month ago at Hindmarsh Stadium. Reds captain Travis Dodd, set to return from a calf injury for the game, has downplayed the psychological effect of that record, suggesting it just means all the pressure is on Melbourne because they are expected to win. But there is no doubt another defeat would hit Adelaide hard. The Victory will be without Tom Pondeljak (calf), the lone goal-scorer in last season’s grand final, who also scored in last round’s win over Newcastle, as well as defender Rodrigo Vargas (thigh), but Thai recruit Sutee Suksomkit is set for a debut.
Key: The Victory will be full of confidence against Adelaide and keen to reward their fans, after a big crowd witnessed their 3-0 thrashing by Sydney in their most recent home game.
Tip: Melbourne
NORTH QUEENSLAND FURY v PERTH GLORY at Dairy Farmers Stadium, 8.30pm
Head to head: North Queensland 0, Perth 0, Draws 1
Last meeting: North Queensland drew with Perth 1-1 at Members Equity Stadium in Oct 2009
TAB Sportsbet: North Queensland $2.60, Draw $3.30, Perth $2.50
Perth expect star striker Mile Sterjovski back from injury which kept him out of last round’s loss to Gold Coast. The Glory considered themselves unlucky not to get at least a point from that game, in which a controversial off-side call prevented a second half equaliser. They will be desperate to extract three points from their trip to Townsville, where the bottom-placed Fury are yet to notch their maiden home win. English striker Robbie Fowler has proved a handy recruit for the Fury, with five goals in 11 games. But it is the other end of the field that has been the problem, with only one clean sheet and the most goals conceded of any club.
Key: The Fury managed to produce a comeback draw in Perth three weeks ago, despite spending the second half with 10 men, so will give themselves a decent chance of breaking through for an elusive home win.
Tip: Draw
SUNDAY
WELLINGTON PHOENIX v GOLD COAST UNITED at Westpac Stadium, 3pm
Head to head: Wellington 0, Gold Coast 0, Draws 1
Last meeting: Wellington and Gold Coast drew 0-0 at Skilled Park, Oct 2009
TAB Sportsbet: Wellington $2.90, Draw $3.35, Gold Coast $2.25
Gold Coast’s super striker Shane Smeltz will be under the spotlight, with Phoenix fans set to make last season’s league top-scorer feel unwelcome at his former home ground. But Smeltz is unlikely to care, with his move to the Gold Coast having already netted him 10 goals and helped United to the top of the table. After his incredibly productive season start stalled in recent weeks, he returned to the scoresheet last round with the winner against Perth, which put his side back at the top of the ladder. But the Phoenix will not be easy to break down. While they have just one win this season, they are yet to lose at home, where they have conceded just three goals in four games. They are coming off six straight draws and another in this game would give them an Australian national league record streak.
Key: The expected boos of his former fans might give Smeltz the extra incentive he needs to score, so he can have the last laugh.
Tip: Gold Coast
SYDNEY FC v BRISBANE ROAR at Sydney Football Stadium, 5pm
Head to head: Sydney 4, Brisbane 4, Draws 7
Last meeting: Brisbane bt Sydney 1-0 at Suncorp Stadium, Sept 2009
TAB Sportsbet: Sydney $1.88, Draw $3.30, Brisbane $4.00
New Brisbane coach Ange Postecoglou steps into the hot seat for the first time and needs quick results to turn the Roar’s season around. In seventh place, they are still firmly in finals contention. But their spirits were clearly down in last round’s 3-0 loss to Central Coast in the wake of Frank Farina’s sacking. That was their third defeat in succession and having conceded six goals in those three games, Postecoglou has identified defence as the most urgent area to address. That will be made harder by the absence of skipper Craig Moore through suspension. The Roar will take some heart from the fact their most recent win came against Sydney. But that was in Brisbane and Sydney have proved a formidable side at home this season.
Key: In Sydney’s three most recent wins they have scored inside the opening 25 minutes. If they can do so again, the Roar’s confidence could take another hit.
Tip: Sydney
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