Perth are top and Brisbane still can’t find a win. Round 5 of the A-League had its moments and now we look to this weekend’s course of football.
The Glory has four wins from five matches and will want to wreak more havoc on a weary Western Sydney. The Jets enjoy back-to-back home games while we also have the Big Blue and Adelaide at home to the Phoenix.
Round 6 kicks off on Friday night in Newcastle.
Newcastle Jets versus Brisbane Roar: Brownbeat Brissy
There’s nothing like a win to cure all ills, and the Roar certainly need a one. It was more misery last weekend, with Melbourne City dishing out a 3-1 victory.
Even more disturbing was the on-field bust-up between Shane Stefanutto and Jamie Young. It was a terrible look and the pressure on the defending champions has ramped up several notches.
They travel to Newcastle knowing it will ramp up even more unless they beat the Jets. The Hunter boys grabbed a draw against the Victory, after leading 2-0, but remain frail at the back.
Still, it was a better performance and the return of Adrian Madaschi and Billy Celeksi is timely. Newcastle always seem to do well against the Roar – for some ungodly reason – and with being at home and after an improved performance last weekend, could snatch their first victory of 2014-2015.
Adelaide United versus Wellington Phoenix: Red delight
There’s no stopping Adelaide United at the moment, as the Mariners found out on Wednesday night. The Reds booked their place in the FFA Cup final and kept their unbeaten run going. The second year of Josep Gombau’s project is on track and the Spaniard is also developing some nice depth in his squad.
The Phoenix were good for their 1-0 victory over the Wanderers in Round 5, bouncing back from a disappointing display in Melbourne on Monday. But Wellington never travels well and there are few harder tests at the moment than Adelaide.
Speculation surrounds Jeremy Brockie’s status at the moment, with some linking him to a move overseas. The Phoenix are desperately low on strikers so it would amaze to see Ernie Merrick allow him to leave now.
Sydney FC versus Melbourne Victory: Depleted Big Blue
Normally one of the biggest clashes of the season, the squads for this encounter have been ravaged by international duties and Olyroo call-ups. Melbourne Victory are particularly under-strength, with injuries and selections combining to mean they will miss nine first-team players.
Kevin Muscat’s side are particularly stretched, while Sydney FC will have to do without a few players like Corey Gameiro and Terry Antonis. It’s a shame circumstance has robbed these two teams of a full quota of players, as both are travelling along well.
Victory are unbeaten and so are the Sky Blues, it’s good to see the two traditional powerhouses back at the top. Kevin Muscat and Graham Arnold, former Socceroo teammates, are really making their mark with their teams. Considering the missing talent from Victory’s squad, Sydney FC have to be favourites in this one.
Perth Glory versus Western Sydney Wanderers: Wild wandering
Perth, top of the competition after five matches, are at home with the Asian Champions League winners visiting. The Wanderers might be the champions of Asia but that means little to their A-League rivals, and with no points from three games they have some room to make up. The speculation is that Tony Popovic will rotate most of his squad, after an arduous travel schedule, so it will be interesting to see the team he puts out.
With the FFA Cup Perth have also been busy, so Kenny Lowe might go for some rotation of his own. One who has certainly been catching the eye is Glory midfielder Nebojsa Marinkovic. The Serbian playmaker was quiet last season when he arrived in WA but he is certainly making an impression this season.
He efforts from dead-ball situations have become a real treat and he is starting to rival Gui Finkler as the best free-kick exponent in the A-League.
Melbourne City versus Central Coast Mariners: Mariners malaise
What’s going on at Gosford Stadium? The Mariners have one victory from their first four A-League matches, and that was a very lucky 1-0 result in injury-time in week one in the F3 derby.
In all competitions, they have lost four in a row and questions are being asked about some of Phil Moss’s selections. Central Coast’s foreign contingent – Malick Mane, Kim Seung-young and Richard Vernes – have yet to convince and the side’s performances have lacked spark and commitment. Like the Roar, the Mariners need a win.
Melbourne City were in the same boat last weekend and earned a deserved 3-1 victory in Queensland. There were concerns about where the goals would come from without David Villa, but David Williams stepped up in the eight minute and Mate Dugandzic popped one in two minutes later.
City are back at home for this game but will be without the services of Aaron Mooy, who is on international duty. The Mariners have a fantastic record against Melbourne Heart/City going back to August 2010, with eight wins, three draws and just one loss in their past 12 meetings.
Central Coast are undefeated against the Melbournians since February 2012, but I’ve got a feeling that will change at AAMI Park on Sunday.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
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