Now the FFA Cup is done and dusted for another year, football in Australia is purely focused back on the A-League, which means we’re back with another round of expert tips and predictions.
Last week proved to be another trying round, with only Mike and Vas managing to get more than two tips right with three apiece.
That’s seen Mike and Vas join Matt in equal second with 18 points, still three points off the pace set by your humble author. The Crowd is one tip back with 17, while Janek is still bringing up the rear.
This week will see the Victory kick off proceedings by hosting Perth on Friday night, followed by a meeting between the unpredictable Mariners and Wanderers on the Central Coast.
Melbourne City will be looking to follow up from their FFA Cup final triumph when they host the Roar, before Newcastle host Sydney FC and Adelaide look to get their first win of the season at home against Wellington.
As always, be sure to lend your voice to The Crowd in the form below to help every Roarer out-tip the experts. Voting closes at 4pm (AEDT) on Friday, so make sure you check back after then to see the final results.
On to the tips!
Melbourne Victory, Draw, Melbourne City, Sydney FC, Draw
Melbourne Victory vs Perth Glory
Victory. The hosts are always tough to beat at home, and with the Glory struggling for consistency, Melbourne should have just enough to take all three points at AAMI Park.
Central Coast Mariners vs Western Sydney Wanderers
Draw. The Mariners look a changed side under Paul Okon, while the Wanderers are this season’s draw specialists. Expect it to finish all square in Gosford.
Melbourne City vs Brisbane Roar
City. Fresh off their FFA Cup win, Melbourne City will be looking to continue their winning ways in the league. Fatigue might be a factor, but they could still have the class to overpower Brisbane Roar.
Newcastle Jets vs Sydney FC
Sydney. Can the Jets turn things around? They generally play well against their regional rivals, but a wretched injury list means the Sky Blues go into this one as red-hot favourites to take all three points.
Adelaide United vs Wellington Phoenix
Draw. The hosts will have to make do without suspended coach Gui Amor for another week, and Wellington could make things difficult for an Adelaide side struggling to make a mark this season.
Melbourne Victory, Central Coast Mariners, Draw, Sydney FC, Draw
Melbourne Victory vs Perth Glory
Melbourne. I can’t go past Victory at home, they’re looking more like their old selves lately and they’ll be good enough on Friday night.
Central Coast Mariners vs Western Sydney Wanderers
Central Coast. I’ve got a feeling an upset could be on the cards here – the Wanderers are so defensively fragile I feel the Mariners could well exploit them.
Melbourne City vs Brisbane Roar
Draw. City will be on cloud nine after winning the FFA Cup, but they have a short turnaround. At least they’re at home, so I’ll go for honours even in this one.
Newcastle Jets vs Sydney FC
Sydney. The Sky Blues also have a short turn around but they have an incredible record in Newcastle. Three poor games in a row makes this the perfect opportunity to get back on track.
Adelaide United vs Wellington Phoenix
Draw. I’m not sure where Adelaide’s first win is going to come from. They’ll be tested by the Nix on Sunday, who were pretty good last time out. But they’re inconsistent on the road so I’ll sit on the fence for this one.
Melbourne Victory, Melbourne City, Sydney FC, Adelaide United
Melboure Victory, Central Coast Mariners, Draw, Sydney FC, Adelaide United
Melbourne Victory vs Perth Glory
Melbourne. Perth may welcome back striker Adam Taggart for the tough trip to Melbourne, yet the Glory have been dealt twin blows with the absences of winger Diego Castro and right fullback Josh Risdon. The Victory are in form, and if Perth’s record away from the west is anything to go by, then a third straight win is on the cards for the home side.
Central Coast Mariners vs Western Sydney Wanderers
Central Coast. The Wanderers didn’t need defender Scott Neville waxing lyrical about the Mariners’ home support – it can only continue their mediocre campaign thus far. They have now gone six weeks without a victory, with five draws in that time only separated by a thumping from Melbourne Victory. The Mariners’ home support may have been quiet, but it was sufficient enough, along with their team’s quality, to see off Perth last weekend. Questions about the Wanderers stem from their ability to stay on task for 90 minutes – something which the Mariners can exploit at home.
Melbourne City vs Brisbane Roar
Draw. Three draws on the spin for the Roar, after a somewhat fortuitous stalemate against the wasteful Wanderers. They could welcome back midfielders Thomas Kristensen and Brandon Borrello back from injury. City’s strong record at home is always a factor, but Brisbane will have the advantage of a week-long break in a game where fatigue may well influence proceedings.
Newcastle Jets vs Sydney FC
Sydney. The Sky Blues’ unabated momentum has been suddenly halted by two stalemates, the most recent being a nil-all dreary affair against cellar-dwellers Adelaide United. Sydney FC had the FFA Cup Final as their main priority this week, rendering a trip up the M1 to a secondary priority. Therein lies the opportunity for Newcastle, who can avenge their Round 4 home loss against the Sky Blues. Since thrashing Brisbane 4-0 in Round 2, points have come in binary form for the Jets. Facing Sydney FC so soon after the FFA Cup Final will be an advantage, but the away will be hungry to return to winning ways.
Adelaide United vs Wellington Phoenix
Adelaide. Are the Reds finally on the march? Weeks of ignominious disappointment from the champions could well have turned a corner last week, having earnt an excellent point at Sydney FC. Despite no goals being registered, positivity aplenty was on display through the Reds’ willingness to attack, which they can carry on with on Sunday. The Phoenix were unlucky to lose at Melbourne City last week, and their own struggles this season will see a contest of desperation. Yet home advantage and the momentum of last week should see Adelaide through.
Melbourne Victory, Draw, Draw, Sydney FC, Adelaide United
Melbourne Victory vs Perth Glory
Melbourne. The Victory are starting to pick up the pace, while the Glory seem to have resumed their habit of being poor travellers. Melbourne should get the job done here.
Central Coast Mariners vs Western Sydney Wanderers
Draw. I can’t imagine my record tipping either side here has been great this season, but I can’t split the two with the Mariners playing at home.
Melbourne City vs Brisbane Roar
Draw. Another match which could go either way, I’ll plonk myself firmly on the fence here – City have been a bit up and down, while the Roar have been improving in recent weeks but are on the road here.
Newcastle Jets vs Sydney FC
Sydney. The Sky Blues have faltered in recent weeks, but I’ll put last week’s scoreless affair down to FFA Cup final preparation more than anything else. With that competition finishing up with a heartbreaking loss in the final, they’ll be desperate to bounce back and should do so against the injury-depleted Jets.
Adelaide United vs Wellington Phoenix
Adelaide. United are long overdue for a win, and at home against the Phoenix is an excellent opportunity to break their duck for the season.
| Round 9 | Mike | Matt | Janek | Vas | Daniel | The Crowd |
| MVC v PER | MVC | MVC | MVC | MVC | MVC | MVC |
| CCM v WSW | Draw | CCM | CCM | Draw | CCM | |
| MLC v BRI | MLC | Draw | MLC | Draw | Draw | MLC |
| NEW v SYD | SYD | SYD | SYD | SYD | SYD | SYD |
| ADL v WEL | Draw | Draw | ADL | ADL | ADL | ADL |
| Last week | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Total | 18 | 18 | 11 | 18 | 21 | 17 |
The Crowd’s tips are in for another week, and like everyone else, they’re tipping the Victory to kick Round 9 off with a win. The Central Coast vs Western Sydney tip was a close-run thing, but in the end it was the Mariners (38.9%) who got the nod, although the Wanderers weren’t too far behind.
Most people reckon both FFA Cup finalists will get the job done, with Melbourne City and Sydney FC favoured over Brisbane and Newcastle respectively, and Adelaide United were tipped to break their winless streak against the Phoenix at home.
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