Preview of round five of the A-League (all times AEST).

FRIDAY
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS v MELBOURNE VICTORY at Bluetongue Stadium, 8pm
Head to head: Central Coast 5, Melbourne Victory 7, drawn 3
Last meeting: Melbourne 3 bt Central Coast 0 at Bluetongue Stadium, Dec 2009
TAB Sportsbet: Central Coast $2.80, draw $3.35, Melbourne Victory $2.30

Central Coast would desperately have loved to unleash Argentine playmaker Patricio Perez for his home debut against the Victory. The diminutive midfielder’s impact off the bench against Sydney FC was enough to suggest he could be among the league’s most exciting imports but a controversial ban for diving means he’ll have to sit out the Mariners’ next two home games. Graham Arnold’s men have hardly been toothless in attack even without Perez and will again look to impressive youngster Oliver Bozanic to provide most of the threat from the left-hand side. Finishing remains a headache, though, with Arnold warning his strikers only goals will keep them in the team. After a sluggish start to the season, the Victory appeared to take flight with an ugly 1-0 win at Gold Coast last week. They are set to lose Evan Berger (hamstring) but could welcome back Billy Celeski (knee).

Key: The Mariners were infuriated by the suspension of Perez and should be all shook up and ready to unleash their anger against the Victory.

Tip: Central Coast.

SATURDAY
MELBOURNE HEART v NORTH QUEENSLAND FURY at AAMI Park, 5.15pm
Head to head: First meeting
TAB Sportsbet: Melbourne Heart $1.95, draw $3.35, North Queensland $3.55

Poor Melbourne Heart must be wondering if their maiden A-League victory will ever come. They appeared set to get off the mark in style against ladder leaders Perth last week before Michael Baird’s theatrics in the box earned the Glory a share of the points. A home game against pre-season wooden spoon favourites North Queensland might seem the ideal opportunity to get their debut campaign on track but only fools would rush in to write off the Fury. Far from attempting to grind out results with a defensive mindset, Franz Straka has the Fury firing on all attacking cylinders with nine goals in their opening four games. Things won’t be so easy against an astute Heart defence featuring the likes of Simon Colosimo and in-form goalkeeper Clint Bolton. The Fury must also focus on plugging their own leaks at the back, having conceded more goals than any other team in the opening rounds.

Key: The Heart have been far from disgraced in the opening rounds but failure to get three points here could prove a devastating mental blow.

Tip: Melbourne Heart

SYDNEY FC v ADELAIDE UNITED at Sydney Football Stadium, 7.30pm
Head to head: Sydney FC 9, Adelaide United 6, drawn 2
Last meeting: Sydney 1 bt Adelaide 0 at Sydney Football Stadium, Dec 2009
TAB Sportsbet: Sydney $2.10, draw $3.30, Adelaide $3.20

Equal first against equal last, no surprises there, but few would have predicted it would be reigning champions Sydney searching for their first win after four rounds. Sydney’s lingering championship hangover continues, though there were signs they are sobering up with an improved performance against Central Coast last week. Adelaide, meanwhile, have hit the ground running under Dutchman Rini Coolen and are running high on confidence following successive wins over Melbourne Heart and North Queensland. While the form guide would point to an Adelaide victory, suspicious minds couldn’t help but feel Sydney are about to emerge from their slump and the Reds could simply find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sydney will again be without injured duo Terry McFlynn and Alex Brosque but look for a big performance from Scott Jamieson against his former club.

Key: Sydney players insist confidence is high but Lavicka will be after a little less conversation and more action against the Reds.

Tip: Sydney FC

SUNDAY
NEWCASTLE JETS v BRISBANE ROAR at EnergyAustralia Stadium, 3pm
Head to head: Newcastle 7, Brisbane 6, drawn 3
Last meeting: Newcastle 2 bt Brisbane Roar 0 at Suncorp Stadium, Jan 2010
TAB Sportsbet: Newcastle $2.45, draw $3.35, Brisbane $2.60

Football Federation Australia has assured this match will go ahead despite doubts surrounding the fixture following revelations of the Jets’ financial troubles. The clubs players and staff are reportedly owed a week’s wages and how those distractions affect their performances remains to be seen. Branko Culina’s men can hardly afford a sub-standard performance at home after a disappointing start to the season. Without a win in three games, the Jets face a tough assignment against a Brisbane Roar side that appears to be flourishing under the guidance of Ange Postecoglou. The coach has gone a long way to silencing those who criticised his brash clean-out of the club last season, with his young side playing attractive, effective football in the opening rounds.

Key: Will the club’s worries act as a distraction to Jets players or could it help galvanise the group?

Tip: Draw

PERTH GLORY v WELLINGTON PHOENIX at Members Equity Stadium, 5pm
Head to head: Perth 3, Wellington 4, drawn 3
Last meeting: Wellington 1 drew Perth 1 at Westpac Stadium, Feb 2010
TAB Sportsbet: Perth $1.95, draw $3.35, Wellington $3.55

Tipped as championship challengers in pre-season, Perth haven’t let anyone down with a solid performance over the opening four rounds and many can’t help falling in love with the Glory’s prospects this season. Statistics show Dave Mitchell’s men are in a purple patch. They are currently six games unbeaten – their longest ever undefeated streak – and have not lost at home in their past nine matches. They won’t be short on motivation either – as well as a chance to remain top of the table, the Glory can also avenge last year’s dramatic defeat to the Phoenix in the finals. An encouraging sign was striker Robbie Fowler opening his goal scoring account against Melbourne Heart last week. Mitchell and Glory fans will be hoping it’s the first of many from the former Liverpool striker.

Key: Geography means travel plays a key part for both of these sides and the Phoenix continue to struggle away from home.

Tip: Perth

BYE: Gold Coast United

© AAP 2012

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