Game-by-game preview of round 18

Game-by-game preview of A-League round 18 (all times AEDT).

FRIDAY, February 3
ADELAIDE UNITED v WELLINGTON PHOENIX at Hindmarsh Stadium, 8pm
Head-to-head: AdUtd 7 Drawn 5 Phoenix 3
Last meeting: Round 13, 2011-12: AdUtd 2 bt Phoenix 0 at Hindmarsh Stadium.
TAB Sportsbet: AdUtd $2.30 Draw $3.30 Phoenix $2.85

Wellington are one of the competition’s form teams, and can take a huge step towards a top two spot and the double chance if they can beat Adelaide. They’ve also addressed away form which has been so much of a bugbear historically, with two successive road wins among three victories on the trot. Adelaide were still high on John Kosmina’s arrival when they beat the `Nix five weeks ago. Now ninth, with the league’s worst goal difference, they need maximum points and luck to make the top six. There’s good news for the Reds with the return of Brazilian fullback Cassio from a foot injury which has sidelined him all season. The question is what sort of condition he is in, but at his best he is a match-winner.

Key: Wellington are a different side with Paul Ifill playing. The Barbados international striker slaughtered Melbourne Heart last weekend with two goals, and Adelaide can expect similar worries.

Tip: Draw

SATURDAY, February 4
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS v BRISBANE ROAR at Bluetongue Stadium, 5.30pm
Head-to-head: Mariners 4 Drawn 9 Roar 12
Last meeting: Round 11, 2011-12: Mariners 2 bt Roar 1 at Suncorp Stadium.
TAB Sportsbet: Mariners $2.10 Draw $3.30 Roar $3.25

Just where the 2012 Brisbane Roar version sits compared with the all-conquering 2010-11 model will be starkly revealed in this grand final rematch. While the Mariners are runaway league leaders, the Roar have stumbled in recent weeks to the point a top-two spot isn’t guaranteed any more. It’s 11 months since the Roar won an epic grand final against the Mariners. Now the Mariners have the ascendancy, and won their last match against the Roar to show how the balance of power has shifted. Complicating matters is both clubs are missing key Olyroos – the Mariners brilliant goalkeeper Mat Ryan and Brisbane midfield fulcrum Mitch Nichols. Experienced Justin Pasfield should replace Ryan, while impressive youngster Luke Brattan will replace Nichols.

Key: Roar striker Besart Berisha returns from suspension, and his uncanny knack of being in the action should mean he has a role to play in a massive game.

Tip: Draw

MELBOURNE HEART v MELBOURNE VICTORY at AAMI Park, 7.45pm
Head-to-head: Heart 2 Drawn 2 Victory 1
Last meeting: Round 12, 2011-12: Heart 3 bt Victory 2 at AAMI Park
TAB Sportsbet: Heart $2.45 Draw $3.25 Victory $2.70

Six weeks ago the Melbourne derby was being played between two in-form teams eyeing high finals berths. How much has changed. Victory are still looking for their first win under new coach Jim Magilton and throw away leads and points on a weekly basis. Heart have just two points from a possible 18 in their last six games. They’ve fallen from second to fifth, and could well exit the top six with defeat here. Heart are also minus several key players, with midfielder Matt Thompson out injured and leading scorer Mate Dugandzic among three missing with the Olyroos. Victory cannot afford to lose, or they’ll be planning next season and probably starting their search for a new coach. Harry Kewell and skipper Adrian Leijer both have shoulder injuries, but are expected to play.

Key: Victory’s Archie Thompson has been out of form in recent matches after a stellar start to the season. Likes a big stage, and it gets no bigger than this one in the regular season.

Tip: Draw

SUNDAY, February 5
SYDNEY FC v NEWCASTLE JETS at Sydney Football Stadium, 5pm
Head-to-head: SydFC 12 Drawn 6 Jets 3
Last meeting: Round 11 2011-12: SydFC 2 bt Jets 1 at Ausgrid Stadium
TAB Sportsbet: SydFC $1.87 Draw $3.40 Jets $3.85

Sydney FC showed a lot of courage and commitment to snatch a late 2-2 draw with Melbourne Victory last time out, and a place in the top six is theirs to lose. The Sky Blues will go a long way to sealing finals football with three points against the hot-and-cold Jets, who beat Brisbane Roar last weekend. Newcastle can look like world-beaters one week, panel-beaters the next. So much depends on which Jets outfit turns up. Labinot Haliti, Marko Jesic and Ali Abbas are all in the squad, so there’s no shortage of attacking options for the Jets. Brett Emerton has been named in Sydney’s squad despite a hamstring injury which led to his substitution early against the Victory, but must be a questionable starter.

Key: Newcastle midfielder Jobe Wheelhouse has been an unlikely source of important goals for two successive games. He leads a young midfield into war with Sydney FC’s Nicky Carle, Terry McFlynn and possibly Emerton in a battle which decides the match.

Tip: Sydney FC

MONDAY, February 6
PERTH GLORY v GOLD COAST UNITED at nib Stadium, 10pm
Head-to-head: Glory 1 Drawn 2 GCUtd 4
Last meeting: Round 9 2011-12: Glory 2 bt GCUtd 0 at nib Stadium
TAB Sportsbet: Glory $1.75 Draw $3.45 GCUtd $4.50

The Glory can’t stop winning. Unbeaten in seven games, top-six locks, and on track for a home final, a far cry from owner Tony Sage’s threats to walk away from the game and fan unrest two months ago. A home final is paramount if the A-League’s most frequent flyers want a realistic chance of silverware. Perth could even take a top-two berth and the double chance if they keep winning. So maximum points against bottom-placed Gold Coast – brave again in a 1-1 draw with Victory in Launceston midweek – is vital. Glory’s Travis Dodd returns from injury, while former Socceroo Dean Heffernan is in the provisional squad. Gold Coast’s schedule will test them, though captain Michael Thwaite – outstanding and a match-winner against the Victory – continues to lead his youthful side with gusto.

Key: Glory’s resurgence has been in large part due to ex-Manchester United midfielder Liam Miller’s midfield influence. Moved centrally rather than wide as he had played early in the season, the Glory are benefitting from his experience and ability to play a killer ball.

Tip: Glory

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