So, after a split round which saw the A-League lose anything that resembled momentum, the football is back for good, the race to the finals is back, and we’re back with another round of expert tips and predictions.
Inconvenience of the split round aside, the last couple of weeks saw results go, largely, to form. Or at least that’s how I saw it – I managed to top the round, with four correct tips putting me back atop our ladder, one point ahead of Vas, who’s on 59 points for the season.
The Crowd is next in third spot with 52, closely followed by Matt and Mike on 51. Janek is a further four points back on 47.
This week kicks off with the Wanderers hosting Melbourne City, who are fresh off a thumping 4-0 win over the Jets.
We’re then ‘treated’ to a battle of the cellar-dwellers when Adelaide make the trip up to the Central Coast, while the out-of-form Brisbane will host the not-so-out-of-form Melbourne Victory.
Wellington will be looking to get back to winning ways at home against Newcastle, while Sydney have a tough trip to make to finish the round off, flying to Perth to face the Glory.
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, Adelaide United, Brisbane Roar, Draw, Draw
Western Sydney Wanderers vs Melbourne City
Draw. The Wanderers belatedly found some form last weekend, but they may find a star-studded Melbourne City a tough side to crack. This one could finish all square at Spotless Stadium.
Central Coast Mariners vs Adelaide United
Adelaide. This may be a clash of the cellar dwellers, but there are still some interesting subplots. The Mariners have proved a stubborn opponent this season, but the Reds are unbeaten in their last three competitive fixtures.
Brisbane Roar vs Melbourne Victory
Roar. Ordinarily, Melbourne Victory would go into this clash as marginal favourites, but they’re missing no less than three key players. The Roar will be without suspended goalkeeper Michael Theo, but they should prevail regardless.
Wellington Phoenix vs Newcastle Jets
Draw. Both sides have endured disappointing campaigns for different reasons, and that could play out on the park here. Expect a draw in front of a small crowd at Westpac Stadium.
Perth Glory vs Sydney FC
Draw. Can the Glory spring an upset? They perhaps have as good a chance as any in this Sunday evening clash in Perth. But with the Sky Blues determined to register a record points tally, this one may finish in stalemate.
Melbourne City, Draw, Draw, Wellington Phoenix, Perth Glory
Western Sydney Wanderers vs Melbourne City
City. I just won’t back the Wanderers at home and that definitely won’t change against City. The visitors welcome back Dean Bouzanis from suspension, but they’d be better served sticking with Thomas Sorensen, if you ask me.
Central Coast Mariners vs Adelaide United
Draw. Bit of a nothing game, this. I can’t really split them and I’m not going to get too fussed trying.
Brisbane Roar vs Melbourne Victory
Draw. Another game I can’t split, but this is one I’ll definitely chuck the telly on to watch at least! Both are good sides to watch, both will be up for a battle… A draw for me, and an entertaining one at that.
Wellington Phoenix vs Newcastle Jets
Wellington. The fizz has gone out of the Jets a little bit after their good run and I’m always inclined to tip the Nix at home.
Perth Glory vs Sydney FC
Perth. Arnie reckons he’s been flogging Sydney during their time off, so we’ll see if it reaps any reward in the big state.
With Danny Vukovic and Rhyan Grant missing through Socceroos duty (yes, you read that right) I think they’ll only get a draw. They’ll miss Grant’s energy and Vukovic’s all-around excellence.
Melbourne City, Adelaide United, Brisbane Roar, Wellington Phoenix, Draw
Western Sydney Wanderers vs Melbourne City
City. Free-scoring City will bring the Wanderers back down a notch after their victory last week.
Central Coast Mariners vs Adelaide United
Adelaide. Not much to play for here, but I’ll back the Reds to grab their first back-to-back wins of the season.
Brisbane Roar vs Melbourne Victory
Brisbane. Melbourne have a few players missing, so a Roar win looks on the cards.
Wellington Phoenix vs Newcastle Jets
Wellington. Looks like another year without finals football for the Jets, and a trip to New Zealand is never easy.
Perth Glory vs Sydney FC
Draw. Perth were on a nice little run until getting smacked by Victory. They could spring an upset over an understrength Sky Blues, but a draw seems more likely.
Melbourne City, Central Coast Mariners, Draw, Wellington Phoenix, Sydney FC
Western Sydney Wanderers vs Melbourne City
Melbourne City. The Wanderers’ win last week against the Phoenix has seen them draw five points clear in sixth – a handy advantage with only four to play. This breathing space shouldn’t sate their motivation against City, but their poor home record should be factored in. City, meanwhile, thrashed Newcastle last week, and while they are unlikely to bridge the nine points they need to climb to second, they will be a stern test for a Wanderers side who may threaten in the finals.
Central Coast Mariners vs Adelaide United
Central Coast Mariners. The bottom two meet in a game largely devoid of finals implications. While the Mariners are still a slim mathematical chance, their prior form suggests this game can be rendered insignificant beyond simply avoiding the wooden spoon. The Mariners were defeated by Sydney FC two weeks ago, while Adelaide scored a surprise home win over Brisbane. The Reds’ recent upturn in form is a factor, but at home, a rested Mariners side are favourites.
Brisbane Roar vs Melbourne Victory
Draw. Anything but three points for the Victory will seal the minor premiership for Sydney FC, ensuring motivation heading north. Victory were strong in their demolition of Perth two weeks ago and will travel well rested. Brisbane were shocked by Adelaide last week, and with both Perth and the Wanderers nipping at their heels, the Roar must avoid any late-season slip that makes their finals campaign unnecessarily harder. This game has the makings as the match of the round, but all will depend on whether Brisbane can regain their momentum this close to the finals, or if the minor premiership still motivates Victory.
Wellington Phoenix vs Newcastle Jets
Wellington Phoenix. Either or both sides may kiss their slim finals’ chances goodbye if not for three points in Wellington. As a result, expect an open clash played at breakneck speed, where the prospects of a point just won’t do for either side. A win still won’t lift either team to the crucial sixth place, but will ensure they can take advantage of any further slip-up by the Wanderers. At home, Wellington must be favoured.
Perth Glory vs Sydney FC
Sydney FC. The Sky Blues could be crowned minor premiership winners before they kick off in Perth, depending on results the previous the evening in Brisbane. Regardless of Melbourne Victory’s output, Sydney FC will be guaranteed to have used their two-week break to trial different combinations ahead of the finals. Perth will be in the contest, and at home, they cannot be disregarded, despite their shambolic result in Melbourne two weeks ago. Yet against a Sydney FC side that has only conceded once since losing to the Wanderers three weeks ago, finding a way past them might be too big an ask.
Draw, Central Coast Mariners, Melbbourne Victory, Wellington Phoenix, Draw
Western Sydney Wanderers vs Melbourne City
Draw. The Wanderers finally broke their Spotless Stadium hoodoo last week, but I can’t see them taking all three points this time around against a Melbourne City side fresh off a four-goal demolition of Newcastle. I can, however, see them taking a single point.
Central Coast Mariners vs Adelaide United
Mariners. Hard to get too excited about this game (which is a damn shame, but almost unavoidable given the two sides’ positions on the ladder) so I’ll go with my gut instinct and tip the home side.
Brisbane Roar vs Melbourne Victory
Melbourne. The Victory are missing a few key players, but I still think they’ll be too good for Brisbane despite being away from home.
Wellington Phoenix vs Newcastle Jets
Wellington. The trip across the ditch is never an easy one to make, and it should prove to be too much for the Jets here.
Perth Glory vs Sydney FC
Draw. Hesitant as I am to tip against a win for the Sky Blues, Sydney are missing a couple of key cogs in Rhyan Grant and Danny Vukovic. While Perth have been maddingly inconsistent this season, they’re good enough to take a share of the spoils here.
| Round 24 | Mike | Matt | Janek | Vas | Daniel | The Crowd |
| WSW v MLC | Draw | MLC | MLC | MLC | Draw | MLC |
| CCM v ADL | ADL | Draw | ADL | CCM | CCM | CCM |
| BRI v MVC | BRI | Draw | BRI | Draw | MVC | Draw |
| WEL v NEW | Draw | WEL | WEL | WEL | WEL | WEL |
| PER v SYD | Draw | PER | Draw | SYD | Draw | SYD |
| Last week | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Total | 51 | 51 | 47 | 59 | 60 | 52 |
Now, it’s over to you. Be sure to add your tips to The Crowd to help out-tip the experts this week. Crowd tipping closes at 4pm (AEDT) on Friday.
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