Preview of round 17 of the A-League (all times AEDT).

FRIDAY
WELLINGTON PHOENIX v MELBOURNE VICTORY at Westpac Stadium, 5.30pm
Head to head: Wellington 1, Melbourne 3, drawn 3
Last meeting: Wellington 1 drew Melbourne 1 at Etihad Stadium, September 2009
TAB Sportsbet: Wellington $3.15, Draw $3.30, Melbourne $2.15

The Victory hit top form against Gold Coast last round, star striker Archie Thompson on song with two goals as his team handed out a 4-0 thrashing. With eight wins in their past 10 matches, a five-point buffer at the top of the table and comfortably the highest goal tally in the league, they fancy their chances of taking three points from any opponent at any ground. But winning in Wellington has proved to be the competition’s toughest challenge, the Phoenix unbeaten in seven home matches this season. It gives them a 13-game unbeaten streak overall, after they drew or won their last six matches of 2008/09 in Wellington. While they have had some good attacking performances, the key to the Phoenix’s home record has been their defence. They have given up just four goals in their seven home games, with no more than one in any match.

Key: The Victory’s classy attack made light work of a badly depleted Gold Coast defence last round, but will almost certainly find it harder work to get past the Phoenix.
Tip: Melbourne

ADELAIDE UNITED v NEWCASTLE JETS at Hindmarsh Stadium, 8pm
Head to head: Adelaide 6, Newcastle 4, drawn 4
Last meeting: Adelaide 1 drew Newcastle 1 at Hindmarsh Stadium, October 2009
TAB Sportsbet: Adelaide $2.15, Draw $3.30, Newcastle $3.15

Adelaide coach Aurelio Vidmar completes a two-game suspension this weekend for making a quip about beheading underperforming players. But the man who led the Reds to last season’s grand final might soon have to start worrying if it will be his own head on the chopping block as his team’s season slumps badly. He took the unusual step of apologising to fans in the lead-up to this match, saying it was embarrassing that they have fallen to the bottom of the table, after last weekend’s loss to North Queensland. The biggest issue has been scoring goals, Adelaide managing just 14 from their 16 matches. The Jets will be keen to continue their momentum after two wins in the past three rounds. Striker Michael Bridges will be full of confidence, after scoring two goals to help his side upset Sydney last round and then signing a new two-year deal.

Key: Adelaide will feel enormous pressure in front of their home fans to post their first win in six matches and stop their season slipping away. While that could be a motivator, it could also be a difficult weight to bear.
Tip: Draw

SATURDAY
SYDNEY FC v NORTH QUEENSLAND FURY at Sydney Football Stadium, 7pm
Head to head: Sydney 1, North Queensland 1, drawn 0
Last meeting: North Queensland 1 bt Sydney 0 at Sydney Football Stadium, September 2009
TAB Sportsbet: Sydney $1.62, Draw $3.55, North Queensland $5.35

Not long ago, the Fury would have been given no chance of upsetting Sydney, who were sitting on top of the table mid-season, while the Fury started their inaugural season in sluggish fashion. But three straight losses to Sydney, most recently a surprise home defeat to Newcastle, have created a slump in confidence. Normally reserved coach Vitezslav Lavicka went so far as to label the performance against the Jets a “disaster”. In fact, while Sydney still enter Saturday night’s match as favourites, North Queensland can claim superior form after last round’s win over Adelaide. English legend Robbie Fowler has proved a successful recruit, with nine goals already, including in that victory. The Fury will have fond memories of the venue, as it is where they notched their maiden A-League win, against Sydney less than two months ago.

Key: Sydney’s slump has allowed Melbourne to open a five-point gap at the top of the table and they will be desperate to break their run of losses before the buffer becomes too big to reel in.
Tip: Sydney

GOLD COAST UNITED v CENTRAL COAST MARINERS at Skilled Park, 9pm
Head to head: Gold Coast 0, Central Coast 1, drawn 0
Last meeting: Central Coast 3 bt Gold Coast 0 at Bluetongue Stadium, September 2009
TAB Sportsbet: Gold Coast $2.20, Draw $3.30, Central Coast $3.00

The Gold Coast receive a much-needed boost to their defence after a largely second-string backline conceded four goals against Melbourne Victory last weekend. Goalkeeper Jess Van Strattan is back from injury, while defenders Steve Pantelidis, Sebastian Van Den Brink and Kristian Rees all return from suspension. They also welcome back Tahj Minniecon from injury, an important inclusion given fellow frontman Joel Porter is the latest casualty, having hurt his knee last round. The formline of these two sides has been going in opposite directions in recent weeks. Gold Coast started the season in a blaze of glory, but have had some very disappointing recent performances, while the Mariners’ attack has clicked into gear after a slow start. With both sides on 24 points, in third and fourth positions, the result of this match could have an important bearing on their seasons.

Key: The Mariners have built an imposing defensive record and with Gold Coast missing Porter, they will be able to put a great deal of pressure on the league’s top scorer Shane Smeltz.
Tip: Draw.

SUNDAY
PERTH GLORY v BRISBANE ROAR at Members Equity Stadium, 7pm
Head to head: Perth 2, Brisbane 9, drawn 2
Last meeting: Perth 4 bt Brisbane 2 at Suncorp Stadium, September 2009
TAB Sportsbet: Perth $2.40, Draw $3.30, Brisbane $2.70

After Brisbane’s horror patch of the season in October, when they lost four straight games and switched coaches, things are starting to look up. Last round’s 4-1 belting of Wellington was their second win in two rounds, and their equal biggest victory of the season, putting them in touch with the top six. The question now is whether they can post back-to-back victories for the first time. Not helping the cause is the loss of midfielder Matt McKay to a hamstring injury. The Glory were reasonably happy with holding Central Coast to a scoreless draw in Gosford last round, continuing what has been a very solid defensive record this season. But after just one win in their past six matches, they will see this home match as an opportunity for three points they can not afford to waste.

Key: While Perth’s defence has been solid, they need to start putting away more scoring chances. Mile Sterjovski went close against the Mariners but will be keen to get on the scoresheet.
Tip: Perth

© AAP 2012

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