Now things are getting serious. With only four teams (and three games) left this A-League season, the matches are getting very difficult to pick in our expert tips and predictions.
Brisbane and Perth’s victories in the elimination finals last week saw all our tipsters nab one correct tip, except for Matt who truly predicted both matches.
As such, he’s climbed back to equal Janek’s points total at the bottom of our ladder with 60. Up the top, I’ve still got a two-point buffer over Vas (69), while The Crowd (65) and Mike (64) form our mid-table cohort.
This week sees both Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory return to action after their well-earned break for the first round of the finals. Sydney will face off against the Glory at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night, before the Victory will do battle against the Roar in Melbourne on Sunday evening.
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 (AEST) on Saturday, so make sure you check back after then to see the final results.
On to the tips!
Sydney FC, Melbourne Victory
Sydney FC vs Perth Glory
Sydney. Sydney FC may have gone into this clash with plenty of momentum, but at least some of it has dissipated thanks to the week off. Perth Glory were outstanding last weekend, and while they’ll take the game to the Sky Blues, the hosts should have too much class in a tight contest.
Melbourne Victory vs Brisbane Roar
Victory. The hosts must be rubbing their hands with glee, with Brisbane Roar not only losing in the AFC Champions League in midweek but losing their goalkeeper as well. Will Jamie Young be fit to play here? It might not matter, with Victory’s fresher legs likely to make the difference.
Sydney FC, Brisbane Roar
Sydney FC vs Perth Glory
Sydney. It’s the Sky Blues for me, but Perth will push them. However, Sydney’s defensive axis of Alex Wilkinson and Jordy Buijs with Danny Vukovic behind them should be enough to repeat the threats of Andy Keogh, Adam Taggart and Diego Castro.
It will be very interesting to see Castro up against Rhyan Grant though. The latter is famous for his engine but is still liable to be caught out defensively. If he can get on top of Castro it could well be key to winning the game.
Melbourne Victory vs Brisbane Roar
Brisbane. I like Brisbane a lot. Enough to beat Victory? Why not.
A lot depends on whether Jamie Young plays in goal, it would be a great shame if he didn’t, after his heroics last weekend. It’d be a great fairytale for Thomas Broich to play his final game for the Roar in a grand final, too.
If Jamie Maclaren gets on the scoresheet, I think they’ll do it.
Sydney FC, Melbourne Victory
Sydney FC vs Perth Glory
Sydney. While Perth were impressive in last weekend’s victory, they’ll find it tough to repeat the feat against the Sky Blues. Sydney are fresh after a week off, are at full strength, and have hit 11 goals past Perth this season.
Melbourne Victory vs Brisbane Roar
Melbourne. It’s hard to see Brisbane getting past the Victory after their midweek Asian Champions League match. They may also be without both of their top two keepers. A setback too many.
Sydney FC, Melbourne Victory
Sydney FC vs Perth Glory
Sydney. Having spent more than six months flourishing their status as the league’s favourites, Sydney face a tricky challenge against a Perth side fresh from upsetting Melbourne City. Coach Graham Arnold would expect his team to assert themselves against a Perth side likely to attack via Matt Taggart in a direct approach. Milos Ninkovic is likely to be fit for the Sky Blues, and having beaten Perth by 11 goals to two over three games, Sydney FC should be strong favourites to progress and set up a home final next weekend.
Melbourne Victory vs Brisbane Roar
Melbourne. Toss of a coin. While the Victory have home advantage and can claim to have finished a clear seven points ahead of their opponents, both teams claimed a win apiece and shared the spoils in their third fixture this season, clearly demonstrating how close this game may be.
Jamie Maclaren will be available for the Roar, but the loss of both Michael Theo and Jamie Young will mean a likely start for Tomi Bilic in goal for the visitors. Therein lies the opportunity for Victory – so expect Kevin Muscat to employ a direct approach to goal. While Besart Berisha can expect to start, the use of the wide players will also be critical in testing Brisbane’s rookie keeper. The attacking play of Brisbane could well nullify Bilic’s supposed inexperience, but with this in mind, Melbourne are favourites.
Sydney FC, Melbourne Victory
Sydney FC vs Perth Glory
Sydney. Impressive as Perth were last week, I’m still not sure if their dominant performance was due to their own class or Melbourne City’s mediocrity. Either way, a clash against the premiers on their own turf will be a significantly tougher task, and one that should prove too much for the Glory.
Melbourne Victory vs Brisbane Roar
Melbourne. With both of Brisbane’s impressive back-up keeper Jamie Young under a serious injury cloud and Michael Theo gone for the season, it’s hard to see the Roar keeping Melbourne at bay, particularly with the hosts’ fresh legs. I can’t see anything but the Victory setting up a Big Blue in the grand final.
| Semi-Finals | Mike | Matt | Janek | Vas | Daniel | The Crowd |
| SYD v PER | SYD | SYD | SYD | SYD | SYD | SYD |
| MVC v BRI | MVC | BRI | MVC | MVC | MVC | BRI |
| Last week | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 64 | 60 | 60 | 69 | 71 | 65 |
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