The A-League is back for another round, with an FFA Cup final rematch kicking things off, and as always, we’ve got you covered for all your expert tipping needs.
Last week proved to be another doozy of a round, with everyone getting caught out by Perth’s 1-1 draw away against the Victory and the Wanderers’ blitz of the Mariners.
Our tips saw Vas move into outright second on 21 points, still three correct calls shy of myself. Next in the table are Matt, Mike and The Crowd with 20, 19 and 19 points respectively, while Janek is still bringing up the rear.
This week is headlined by a Friday night blockbuster between FFA Cup finalists Sydney FC and Melbourne City, with the Sky Blues no doubt desperate for revenge against their Cup final foes on their home turf.
There’s then a Saturday triple-header with Wellington hosting the Mariners, the Victory travelling to face Western Sydney and Perth hosting a late-night clash against the Jets.
The round then finishes up with Brisbane hosting an Adelaide side fresh off their first win of the season.
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!
Draw, Wellington Phoenix, Draw, Perth Glory, Adelaide United
Sydney FC vs Melbourne City
Draw. Sydney FC won’t appreciate having to play this ‘home’ fixture at ANZ Stadium, and they’ll come up against a Melbourne City team eager to make up ground on the current league leaders.
Wellington Phoenix vs Central Coast Mariners
Phoenix. With Ernie Merrick stepping down during the week, it’s all change at the Phoenix. They’ll play this game in Hamilton against a Mariners side smarting from a last-start thrashing, with the nominal hosts desperate for a win.
Western Sydney Wanderers vs Melbourne Victory
Draw. Another game at ANZ Stadium, where the Wanderers won’t have happy memories following their crushing Sydney derby defeat. They’re desperate to find some form, but it could finish all square in the cavernous confines of Homebush.
Perth Glory vs Newcastle Jets
Glory. Perth copped a battering from Melbourne Victory last weekend and were lucky to finish with a point, but they should be too strong for an undermanned and out of form Newcastle Jets.
Brisbane Roar vs Adelaide United
Adelaide. The Roar are coming off four straight draws and they’ll take on an Adelaide side bolstered by a last-start win. With several Roar stars out of form, it could be the Reds who nick all three points here.
Sydney FC, Wellington Phoenix, Melbourne Victory, Perth Glory, Adelaide United
Sydney FC vs Melbourne City
Sydney. A huge game in the context of Sydney’s season. They’ve gone off the boil a bit in the last few weeks after their rampaging start, but I reckon they will bounce back and get some revenge for the FFA Cup final defeat. Expect a hugely physical game, though.
Wellington Phoenix vs Central Coast Mariners
Phoenix. Ernie Merrick fell on his sword last week after the loss to Adelaide, but they were playing pretty well until Roy Krishna fluffed his lines from the spot. The Mariners will be without Mickael Tavares and they will miss the composure he brings to the midfield. Wellington to win well.
Western Sydney Wanderers vs Melbourne Victory
Victory. The Wanderers are still vulnerable defensively and in Andrew Redmayne and Jerrad Tyson they have two average choices in goal. With Tyson suspended they’ll go back to Redmayne, who was dropped a fortnight ago. I expect Victory’s attacking prowess to be too much for him and Wanderers.
Perth Glory vs Newcastle Jets
Perth. Newcastle have a horrible injury list and even with a fully fit squad they’d struggle here. Perth are always a formidable presence at home and they shouldn’t have any trouble with this one.
Brisbane Roar vs Adelaide United
Adelaide. I like the Roar a lot but I’ve got a feeling Adelaide’s win last weekend will kickstart their premiership and championship defence. Henrique may have a point to prove up there and who’d bet against him? Wonderful double last week and I’ll back him to score in Brisbane and fire Adelaide to back to back wins.
Draw, Wellington Phoenix, Draw, Perth Glory, Adelaide United
Sydney FC vs Melbourne City
Draw. A big game for the start of Round 10 and a quick replay of the FFA Cup final. City edged that match 1-0 but Sydney will be determined to maintain their unbeaten record in the league.
Wellington Phoenix vs Central Coast Mariners
Wellington. Sporting teams have a remarkable knack of stepping up after the departure of a coach, and with home advantage Wellington should defeat the Mariners.
Western Sydney Wanderers vs Melbourne Victory
Draw. Last time these two sides met, the Victory defeated the Wanderers 3-0. But Western Sydney are starting to click, putting in a good performance against Brisbane and then thrashing Central Coast. Stalemate.
Perth Glory vs Newcastle Jets
Perth. Perth’s form has been patchy of late, going winless in six games. But they should get the job done against the Jets.
Brisbane Roar vs Adelaide United
Adelaide. Adelaide are doing an Adelaide. Once again they waited until Round 9 for their first win, is another 14-game unbeaten run around the corner?
Draw, Wellington Phoenix, Western Sydney Wanderers, Perth Glory, Brisbane Roar
Sydney FC vs Melbourne City
Draw. Revenge for the FFA Cup final will be firmly in Sydney’s mind, but injury worries for Graham Arnold may nullify any hope of dominating the visitors. City look in good form, but a trip north is always difficult.
Wellington Phoenix vs Central Coast Mariners
Wellington. The Phoenix’s woes continue, while the Mariners lick their wounds after a firm thrashing at home to the Wanderers last week. The Phoenix will, however, play at home for the first since last month’s earthquake, and a vocal crowd is expected. Expect that to catapult the ‘Nix over the line.
Western Sydney Wanderers vs Melbourne Victory
Western Sydney. It’s tempting fate to tip a second straight win for the Wanderers, given their season thus far. Yet last week’s triumph in Gosford was akin to the bubble bursting, and momentum may carry them over the line against the Victory.
Perth Glory vs Newcastle Jets
Perth. After a tough point away at Melbourne, followed by a home game against the struggling Jets, all roads point to a comfortable Glory win, with Newcastle falling at home last week to Sydney FC. Anything other than a home side victory would be a surprise.
Brisbane Roar vs Adelaide United
Brisbane. Adelaide had a stirring maiden win last weekend, yet the challenge continues as they fly north to face the Roar. Brisbane left Melbourne City last week with a point, making it their fourth straight stalemate. Securing three points against the struggling champions is critical to their season not stumbling further.
Sydney FC, Wellington Phoenix, Melbourne Victory, Perth Glory, Brisbane Roar
Sydney FC vs Melbourne City
Sydney. It’s tough to go past City given their win over the Sky Blues in the FFA Cup final, but I’ll take Sydney on a hunch they’ll be good enough on their (adopted) home turf at ANZ Stadium.
Wellington Phoenix vs Central Coast Mariners
Wellington. The Phoenix haven’t been as bad as their position on the table suggests, and they should be too good for an up-and-down Mariners side in New Zealand.
Western Sydney Wanderers vs Melbourne Victory
Melbourne. With the Wanderers no longer enjoying the home-ground benefit of playing at Parramatta Stadium, I’ll tip the Victory to snare the points at ANZ Stadium.
Perth Glory vs Newcastle Jets
Perth. At home against the struggling and injury-depleted Jets, the Glory should be too strong.
Brisbane Roar vs Adelaide United
Brisbane. Adelaide’s first win of the season has a few folks predicting a last-season-esque resurgence, but taking home the points from a trip to Brisbane still looks to be beyond them. The Roar should prevail.
| Round 10 | Mike | Matt | Janek | Vas | Daniel | The Crowd |
| SYD v MLC | Draw | SYD | Draw | Draw | SYD | Draw |
| WEL v CCM | WEL | WEL | WEL | WEL | WEL | WEL |
| WSW v MVC | Draw | MVC | Draw | WSW | MVC | WSW |
| PER v NEW | PER | PER | PER | PER | PER | PER |
| BRI v ADL | ADL | ADL | ADL | BRI | BRI | BRI |
| Last week | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Total | 19 | 20 | 13 | 21 | 24 | 19 |
And so we have another week of Crowd tips on our hands, with our readers unable to split Sydney FC and Melbourne City, instead opting to pick the draw.
There was no such indecision surrounding the next match, with a hefty majority of tipsters picking the Phoenix to grab a much-needed win against the Mariners, while the Wanderers just nabbed the majority of the tips for the clash with the Victory.
Just about everyone tipped Perth to deliver the goods at home against the Jets, and Brisbane were the preferred option for the final match of the round.
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