Preview of round four of the A-League this weekend.
FRIDAY
ADELAIDE UNITED v NORTH QUEENSLAND FURY at Hindmarsh Stadium, 7.30pm
Head to head: First meeting
TAB Sportsbet: Adelaide $1.60, North Queensland $5.50, Draw $3.60
Rarely do Adelaide United get put to the sword at home, but they copped a Zorro-like cutting-up from rampaging Gold Coast on their own heap last weekend. Aurelio Vidmar’s men have a quick chance to make amends, and face a far tamer opponent in the winless Fury. Adelaide will be without skipper Travis Dodd, who has a calf injury but regain an important player in Socceroo midfielder Paul Reid – a steadying influence who has been missed. Ex-Sydney centre-back Mark Rudan has been added to the squad for a possible Reds debut. North Queensland were also battered by Gold Coast a fortnight ago, though were far better in a 1-0 loss to Melbourne last weekend. Striker David Williams (thigh) is a big loss.
Key: Adelaide need goals. Just two in their past seven A-League matches is a huge concern, so much rests on the shoulders of Brazilian striker Cristiano and new signing Lloyd Owusu.
Tip: Adelaide United
PERTH GLORY v MELBOURNE VICTORY at ME Bank Stadium, 8pm
Head to Head: Perth 4, Melbourne 4, Drawn 4
Last meeting: Perth Glory 3 bt Melbourne Victory 2 at ME Bank Stadium, Jan 2009
TAB Sportsbet: Perth $2.90, Melbourne $2.25, Draw $3.35
Perth finally flicked the switch for their first win of the season last weekend against Newcastle but face a big test here. Melbourne haven’t quite clicked into gear despite beating North Queensland to open their account a week ago. Defensively they are again likely to be stretched, without Matthew Kemp for family reasons and left-back Evan Berger (groin). Glory are toying with rushing Brazilian midfielder Amaral – signed on a guest stint – straight into their starting 11 to take on Melbourne. He has soft tissue issues but can play – more than 30 caps for Brazil is testament to that. Up front, the Glory’s partnership of impressive Serbian Branko Jelic and Socceroo Mile Sterjovski looked good at times last weekend. Big striker Eugene Dadi – who troubled the Victory in all meetings last season – also returns to the Glory squad.
Key: Victory have signed well in Adrian Leijer, who adds steel to the defence. Leijer and Rodrigo Vargas versus Jelic and Sterjovski perhaps decides the game.
Tip: Draw
SATURDAY
BRISBANE ROAR v CENTRAL COAST MARINERS at Suncorp Stadium, 3pm
Head to head: Brisbane 6, Central Coast 2, Drawn 6
Last meeting: Brisbane Roar 2 bt Central Coast 1 at Suncorp Stadium, minor semi-final leg 2, Feb 2009
TAB Sportsbet: Brisbane $2.05, Central Coast $3.40, Draw $3.30
No wins, blowing up at officialdom and getting sent off, copping near-daily whacks from Gold Coast owner Clive Palmer – it’s been a tough week at the office for Roar coach Frank Farina. The Roar have been playing OK but have let leads slip in their past two matches – a worrying sign in a competition so tight. Those are the points that teams so often rue around finals time, and the Roar need to make a statement soon. Central Coast remain unbeaten and nearly pinched all three points from Sydney FC – only keeper Clint Bolton’s late heroics stopping them. Mariners keeper Danny Vukovic makes it 100 matches in all competitions for the club and has been on song early this season. Interestingly the Roar have an excellent record against Central Coast – both home and away.
Key: Will the Roar remain at the wheel for the full 90 this week? Skipper Craig Moore will need to keep his side focused if they do hold any sort of advantage.
Tip: Brisbane Roar
SUNDAY
NEWCASTLE JETS v GOLD COAST UNITED at EnergyAustralia Stadium, 3pm
Head to head: First meeting
TAB Sportsbet: Newcastle $3.70, Gold Coast $1.85, Draw $3.50
Can anybody stop A-League newcomers Gold Coast United? Miron Bleiberg’s men firmed into premiership favouritism after an impressive 2-0 away win over Adelaide last week, continuing their flawless start to A-League life. With a free-flowing attack and steely defence United have taken the competition standard to a new level and their rivals now have the unenviable task of catching up. They won’t get it all their own way against the Jets, who have shown plenty of potential under Branko Culina in a mixed start to the season. Worryingly, Newcastle could be without marquee signing Fabio Vignaroli, whose experience will be vital in nullifying the impact of brilliant Gold Coast captain Jason Culina. The Socceroos star comes up against his old man, but both have made it clear three competition points is priority over family bragging rights.
Key: Finishing. The Jets have had their chances but seem to lack the polish Gold Coast have up front in the classy Shane Smeltz.
Tip: Gold Coast
SYDNEY FC v WELLINGTON PHOENIX at Sydney Football Stadium, 5pm
Head to head: Sydney 2, Wellington 3, Drawn 1
Last meeting: Sydney FC 1 bt Wellington 0 at Sydney Football Stadium, Jan 2009
TAB Sportsbet: Sydney $1.60, Wellington $5.50, Draw $3.60
While hardly setting the world on fire, there has been plenty to like about Sydney FC in the opening rounds of the season. Czech coach Vitezslav Lavicka has instilled a new sense of discipline and work ethic in his team and, while his style may not always be pretty, it has certainly been effective with the sky blues undefeated after three rounds. Wellington, meanwhile, have defied their critics in taking four points from their opening three games to sit in fourth spot. Despite the loss of Shane Smeltz, the Phoenix’s new all-English strike partnership of Chris Greenacre and Paul Ifill looks promising and they don’t look like the easybeats many predicted they would be. Ricki Herbert will be encouraged by a good record against Sydney, with his side having won three of their five previous clashes.
Key: Sydney will be looking to re-establish an imposing record at home and bring back their fans. If they are the real deal this year, these are the games they must win.
Tip: Sydney FC
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