The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Round 3

In what has been a challenging start to the new A-League season in terms of tipping, Round 3 looms as an opportunity for the panel to kick-start their seasons.

So far, things have been nothing but disappointing, with Mike Tuckerman and Paul Nicholls flying the flag early with just four correct selections. The less said about the author’s tips the better and young rookie Tom Williamson is living a baptism of fire in the early rounds.

With a salivating match between the Roar and Victory on Friday night, a Saturday Sydney Derby and a Melbourne battle between Western United and Melbourne City on Sunday afternoon, this weekend looms as the most explosive round of the season thus far.

Be sure to place your tips into the sheet below to have a say as part of the Roar of the crowd. All the weekend action can be followed via the live blogs, commentary and updates on the Roar and your involvement is always appreciated.

I will be following closely and hoping for a little more tipping luck in Round 3. Here are the thoughts of the panel for the five upcoming matches.

Mike Tuckerman
Tips: Draw, Adelaide, Draw, Perth, United

Brisbane Roar have been waiting months for this fixture and things aren’t looking so rosy for Marco Kurz and Melbourne Victory. Questions remain over the quality of both squads but this one may come down to whether the Roar can hold their nerve in front of their home fans. Huge game.

The Jets needed a twice-taken penalty to snatch anything from the F3 Derby last weekend, even if they looked a better side than some might have expected. Adelaide will hope they’re not nursing an FFA Cup hangover in this one and they did look imperious midweek. The Reds may just jag an away win here.

I tipped a 1-1 Sydney Derby draw on the Game of Codes podcast with Alex Meier opening the scoring, and I’m happy enough to stick with that call here. I still think Sydney FC are the better side – on paper at least – but the emotion of playing in front of a full house at Bankwest Stadium should be worth at least a point for the Wanderers.

(Photo by Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Wellington Phoenix made a real nuisance of themselves last weekend and they’re another team that might be better than they look on paper. Gary Hooper will give them a real X-factor when he arrives, but in the meantime, Perth Glory should shake off a sluggish start and click into gear across the Tasman.

Western United look the goods and they’ll be up for this quasi-derby in front of their home fans in Geelong. They were unlucky not to beat Perth Glory last weekend and they won’t fear the visit of a City side that were smashed in the FFA Cup final midweek. Alessandro Diamanti and co. with too much class in this one.

Stuart Thomas
Tips: Brisbane, Adelaide, Draw, Perth, City

Despite the fear of collecting the kiss of death tag that followed me for so long when it came to tipping Brisbane Roar last season, I am convinced they will beat Victory on Friday night. The main reason is that Marco Kurz’s men appear well off the pace early in the season and 16,000 fans should lift the men in orange over the line, in what could be a ripping encounter.

The Jets rallied in the second half against the Mariners in the F3 Derby last weekend and face a tough test at home against the so-far-unlucky Reds. Still without a point, Adelaide will not finish the season where they currently lie and were close to grabbing a point against City last weekend. Surely Adelaide open their account.

Sydney Derby time. Two teams in good form at the best football stadium in Australia. Who cares who wins? Although for the sake of the integrity of this tipping competition, I’m leaning towards a draw – 2-2 in a classic.

Perth look like they need a little kick-start to find fifth gear and Wellington away may provide them that opportunity. I’m apprehensive about that line of thinking but my gut remembers just how good Tony Popovic’s men were last season and the chances of that showing up in the very near future are quite high.

Western United sit in an impressive fourth position while Melbourne City shade them in third. It sets up a terrific derby and one that could stamp United as a serious threat or confirm a widely held belief that City are the best they have been for some time. I am really looking forward to this one and feel City will win by a single goal.

(AAP Image/Julian Smith)

Paul Nicholls
Tips: Brisbane, Newcastle, Western Sydney, Draw, City

What has happened to the marvellous Melbourne midfield? They seem to have gone missing through the first two rounds. Thank goodness for Elvis Kamsoba, who has looked the most dangerous Victory attacker thus far. Brisbane’s bye might have come at a good time after the long trip to Perth. The Roar have a great chance to knock over Victory and I’m tipping Robbie Fowler’s men to win.

Newcastle’s delayed start to the season left them looking a bit sluggish in Round 2. At home they should be stronger and have the edge over Adelaide who were busy mid-week. Newcastle for the win.

All roads lead to Parramatta on Saturday for the Sydney Derby. The fact that these teams are on top of the table adds extra juice to the game. The Wanderers come off a handy away win and their last half of football was their best of the year. Sydney, by contrast, struggled to contain Wellington and were fortunate to get the three points. At Bankwest in front of a big crowd I expect the Wanderers to post their third win on the trot.

Wellington put in a good shift against Sydney and have played better than their last place on the table indicates. Perth have played two good first halves but are struggling to dominate over the course of a whole game. Expect a drawn distance derby.

With Scott McDonald and Alessandro Diamanti playing well, Western United have been the early surprise packet. Can they continue their unbeaten run against Melbourne City? I don’t think so. City with Jamie Maclaren look a different beast and they should get the three points.

Tom Williamson
Tips: Brisbane, Draw, Sydney, Perth, City

We open this round with a pivotal game for both teams. The Roar are coming off a bye while the Victory have been woeful in their first two rounds. I’m predicting an incredibly fast-paced game, as both teams will be desperate to get their first win of the season. Victory will control the early portions of the game, but I think Brisbane take this 2-1.

The second game of the round will be affected by Wednesday’s cup final. Adelaide have a packed schedule, playing three games in six days. Draw for mine.

A Sydney Derby in Parramatta, how awesome is this going to be? I am livid that I’m missing it for a wedding. The atmosphere will be electric, and with two teams fighting it out for top spot, this has all the makings of a classic, regardless of recent derby history.

The Wanderers are coming off a brave win in Melbourne against the Victory, and Sydney continued their winning form with a close triumph over the Phoenix. I’m predicting that Sydney will be sky blue on Saturday night, but it’s going to be a cracking game, 3-2.

Sunday’s games open with a distance derby, with both teams desperately needing the win. Perth are struggling to find the back of the net. All of a sudden the reigning premiers are without a win after two games. What better opportunity than against the weakest squad in the league? Credit to the Phoenix – signing Gary Hooper isn’t only a great boost to their team, but to the league. After more time with the squad, Wellington might find themselves winning more often, rather than experiencing noble losses. It won’t be this week however, Perth to win comfortably 2-0.

The last game of the round should be a cracker. New kids on the block Western United host FFA Cup finalists Melbourne City in their first game against Victorian opposition. Both teams are in good form, with City beating Adelaide last Sunday and the Westies taking it to Perth. Erick Mombaerts’ management will also be called into question here, with Melbourne playing three games in seven days.

I’m expecting one of two things to happen. Either it’s going to be tight, congested football ending in a draw, or City will exert their class and win comfortably. I think the latter will happen, 3-1 City.