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Preview of round one of the A-League this weekend (all times AEST).
THURSDAY
MELBOURNE VICTORY v CENTRAL COAST MARINERS at Etihad Stadium, 8pm
Head to head: Melbourne 6, Central Coast 3, drawn 3
Last meeting: Melbourne 3 bt Central Coast 0 at Etihad Stadium, Jan 2009
TAB Sportsbet: Melbourne $1.68, Central Coast $4.85, Draw $3.55
Having kept their championship squad almost entirely intact and completely injury-free, the Victory will begin their title defence with enormous confidence. With Melbourne having won almost every match they played at home last season, it is difficult to see the Mariners causing what would be a major upset. But the Victory should be mindful that every A-League champion so far has found backing up the following season much more difficult, including their own club after their 2006/07 triumph. In fact, inaugural champions Sydney are the only club to win the opening match of their title defence. The Mariners will be hoping overseas signings Michael McGlinchey and Chris Doig can help them produce a surprise and keep that theme going.
Tip: Melbourne
FRIDAY
ADELAIDE UNITED v PERTH GLORY at Hindmarsh Stadium, 8pm
Head to head: Adelaide 7, Perth 2, drawn 3
Last meeting: Adelaide 1 bt Perth 0 at Members Equity Stadium, Dec 2008
TAB Sportsbet: Adelaide $2.00, Perth $3.45, Draw $3.35
Glory by name but not by nature so far in the A-League, Perth’s off-season recruiting drive has given a strong indication they intend to not only book an overdue finals berth, but set themselves up as a championship contender. They have pulled off a major coup by signing Socceroos Jacob Burns, Mile Sterjovski and Chris Coyne. Whether the star-studded line-up can produce results to match will be given a serious first-up test against a club that has arguably been the competition’s most consistent performers over the previous four seasons. The Reds were near-unbeatable at home last season and will be keen to quickly prove they remain a league powerhouse after their fine effort in making both the A-League and Asian Champions League grand finals. Not helping the Glory’s chances is an injury list that includes Jamie Harnwell, Wayne Srhoj, Jimmy Downey and Anthony Skorich.
Tip: Adelaide
SATURDAY
NORTH QUEENSLAND FURY v SYDNEY FC at Dairy Farmers Stadium, 5.30pm
Head to head: First meeting
Last meeting: First meeting
TAB Sportsbet: North Queensland $3.10, Sydney $2.15, Draw $3.35
The Fury’s approach to their maiden season has been in stark contrast to Gold Coast, preferring to keep a lid on their expectations and come in under the radar. But there will be plenty of feeling in Townsville with the Fury containing a host of former Sydney players. While former Liverpool star Robbie Fowler makes his debut in the A-League, there will be much interest in how the injury-riddled Fury gel after a disrupted pre-season. John Tambouras is tipped to be announced as the club’s captain, and there’s reports Socceroo Shane Stefanutto could join him in defence as a late signing. Sydney are desperate to put their 2008-09 problems behind them under new coach Vitezslav Lavicka.
Tip: Sydney FC
BRISBANE ROAR v GOLD COAST UNITED at Suncorp Stadium, 7.30pm
Head to head: First meeting
Last meeting: First meeting
TAB Sportsbet: Brisbane $2.30, Gold Coast $2.85, Draw $3.30
The first-up Queensland local derby will truly test Gold Coast owner Clive Palmer’s bold talk that United will go through the competition undefeated. The Roar have finished third in the past two seasons and Frank Farina has managed to keep the bulk of his squad together. Two men he will miss are young flyer Tahj Minniecon, who will line up for the Coast, and midfield workhorse Massimo Murdocca (broken leg). The Jason Culina-led United have suffered a late blow with highly-fancied goalkeeper Jess Vanstrattan injuring his ankle at training. There will be almost as much interest in the antics of the coaches Farina and his Roar predecessor Miron Bleiberg at the end of the game.
Tip: Draw
SUNDAY
NEWCASTLE JETS v WELLINGTON PHOENIX at EnergyAustralia Stadium, 3pm
Head to head: Newcastle 2, Wellington 3, drawn 1
Last meeting: Wellington 3 bt Newcastle 0 at Westpac Stadium, Jan 2009
TAB Sportsbet: Newcastle $1.85, Wellington $4.00, Draw $3.85
An overhauled squad and plenty of injuries leave last season’s wooden spooners the Newcastle Jets in an unsettled state entering the new season. Adding to the sense of uncertainty, a new coach, Branko Culina, is overseeing the transformation, after the shock departure of Gary Van Egmond to the Australian Institute of Sport. Injured and out of consideration for their season-opener are Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Ben Kantarovski, Donny De Groot and Jobe Wheelhouse. The Jets will be heartened by a solid recent Asian Champions League campaign, but that also shortened their pre-season. If they can not beat Wellington at home it will be a concern. The Phoenix also enter a new season with some questions to answer, most notably whether they can overcome the loss of striker Shane Smeltz, who scored more than half their goals last year, but is now with the Gold Coast.
Tip: Newcastle
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