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Preview of round eight of the A-League this weekend (all times AEST).
FRIDAY
QUEENSLAND ROAR v ADELAIDE UNITED at Suncorp Stadium, 8.30pm
Head to head: Queensland 2, Adelaide 4, drawn 4
Last meeting: Queensland 1 drew Adelaide 1 at Suncorp Stadium, August 2008
TAB Sportsbet: Queensland $2.25, Adelaide $2.95, draw $3.30
Surprisingly Queensland have never beaten Adelaide at Suncorp Stadium but the Roar get the perfect chance to atone for that thanks to the timing of this fixture. Although Adelaide are high on confidence, they will inevitably be looking ahead to Wednesday’s Asian Champions League semi-final second leg and it’s highly likely Aurelio Vidmar will rest some of his key men before the club’s biggest ever match. The Roar are steadily improving each week, as shown by an away win over Melbourne and draw with Sydney FC in their last two matches. The strikeforce of Reinaldo and Dutch import Sergio Van Dijk is coming together and threatening plenty of goals along with the contribution from veteran Scot Charlie Miller. United signing Cristiano is also finding his feet, with three goals in his past two matches.
Key: As much as Vidmar will want a big performance from his men, Wednesday’s match will be looming large in their minds against the Roar.
Tip: Queensland
SATURDAY
NEWCASTLE JETS v MELBOURNE VICTORY at EnergyAustralia Stadium, 7pm
Head to head: Newcastle 5, Melbourne 3, drawn 2
Last meeting: Melbourne 5 bt Newcastle 0 at Telstra Dome, August 2008
TAB Sportsbet: Newcastle $3.35, Melbourne $2.05, draw $3.30
Melbourne ripped the Newcastle defence apart when these two sides last met, with the Victory’s 5-0 win at Telstra Dome in round three the biggest thrashing any side has handed out this season. The Jets have promised to avoid a repeat of that humiliation this time. But form suggests more goals could be on the cards for Melbourne, with the Victory having slotted four past Perth Glory last round. Melbourne have received a considerable boost with attacking midfielder Carlos Hernandez and first-choice goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos returning from suspension and experienced defender Michael Thwaite back from injury. Fellow midfielder Nick Ward will be ready for more gametime after coming on late against Perth in his comeback. The Jets are again expected to be without star frontman Joel Griffiths (hamstring) but defender Adam Griffiths should be back from injury and midfielder James Holland returns from Young Socceroos duty.
Key: Newcastle will be desperate for revenge, but they will have their hands full with Victory dangermen Archie Thompson and Daniel Allsopp, who both excelled against them last time.
Tip: Melbourne
SUNDAY
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS v WELLINGTON PHOENIX at Bluetongue Stadium, 3pm
Head to head: Central Coast 3, Wellington 0, drawn 1
Last meeting: Wellington 0 drew Central Coast 0 at Westpac Stadium, September 2008
TAB Sportsbet: Central Coast $1.60, Wellington $5.60, draw $3.50
The biggest talking point heading into this game is who will stand in goal for the Mariners. Former Socceroo Mark Bosnich is hoping for a farewell game in front of a home crowd as his short-term contract reaches its end. But coach Lawrie McKinna will leave the decision late to assess whether Bosnich is fully over his hamstring injury. Otherwise Danny Vukovic will take over for his first A-League match since round two, following his lengthy suspension. Phoenix striker Shane Smeltz is a major threat, with six goals to his name in as many games. Despite their lowly standing, Wellington are improving and will be no easybeats, as demonstrated by a home win over Sydney and away draw with Newcastle in the past two rounds. But the Mariners have plenty of firepower and will be buoyed by their stunning 3-3 draw in Adelaide last round, when they scored all three of their goals in the final 25 minutes.
Key: If Central Coast can lock down Smeltz, who has scored all but one of his team’s goals this season, they have the attacking strength to post a win.
Tip: Central Coast
PERTH GLORY v SYDNEY FC at Members Equity Stadium, 5pm
Head to head: Perth 1, Sydney 4, draw 5
Last meeting: Sydney FC 5 bt Perth 2 at Sydney Football Stadium, August 2008
TAB Sportsbet: Perth $3.65, Sydney $1.95, draw $3.30
Perth’s season started poorly and is getting worse, conceding four goals in each of their past two games, against Central Coast and Melbourne. Their capitulation to Melbourne prompted the club’s management to call a crisis meeting to ask the players whether they wanted to walk away or stay and show some commitment. Coach David Mitchell will be desperately hoping that meeting and a weekend off result in a team with renewed intensity taking to the field against Sydney. The defensive weaknesses have been Perth’s biggest issue all season, having given up 20 goals in their seven games. Sydney’s momentum has slowed, after a strong start to the season, with a surprise loss to Wellington and a home draw against Queensland in the past two rounds. And they are expected to face Perth without injured striker Alex Brosque. But against the Glory’s brittle defence, it might be the ideal opportunity for high-profile frontman John Aloisi to open his account for the season.
Key: Perth have shown nothing in recent weeks to suggest they are going to be much threat to any opposition, let alone second-placed Sydney.
Tip: Sydney
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