At the time of writing, Match Week 6 of the A-League Men competition had been struck by the effects of COVID-19 and could well be affected further over the coming days.
What we do know at this point in time is that the Jets and Wanderers will play behind closed doors on Sunday, followed by Melbourne Victory versus Western United and Macarthur FC versus Sydney FC a few hours later.
That leaves just the lone game to be played on Monday between the Mariners and the Phoenix in Gosford.
Let’s hope all the matches slated do go ahead and good luck with your tips should that indeed be the case.
Texi Smith continues to hold the tipping lead and here are his and the rest of the panel’s thoughts on all the festive action.
Mike Tuckerman
Jets, Victory, Draw, Mariners
The Jets are clearly a talented outfit but they’ll likely blow hot and cold this season.
On paper you’d expect the visitors to win this one, but I suspect Arthur Papas might finally put Carl Robinson out of his misery behind closed doors.
(Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
Western United have proved one of the toughest sides to beat in the league this season and they’ve certainly got a resolute defence.
So too do Victory, who look a side reborn under Tony Popovic. It was Victory who clinched a tight 1-0 win on the opening weekend of the season, and they might repeat the feat here.
Macarthur stormed home to overwhelm the Jets last weekend and under Ante Milicic, they’ve perfected the art of recording narrow victories.
They’ve already beaten the Sky Blues once this season, however Steve Corica will be determined to shake off Sydney FC’s slow start to the season. This one could finish all square.
The Mariners are flying high and pulverised APIA Leichhardt 6-0 in the FFA Cup in midweek.
They might come unstuck soon, but it’s unlikely to be against the peripatetic Phoenix. Expect all three points to stay in Gosford for this one.
Simon Hill
Western Sydney, Victory, Draw, Mariners
If it’s not yet the last chance saloon for the Wanderers in their present guise, then the fat lady has surely entered the room and is warming up. They simply have to get a result in Newcastle.
Not so easy when the Jets have a very dangerous front four – but this is the way the A-League Men goes historically. All the evidence points to a Jets win. So, Wanderers, obviously.
Victory showed great fortitude in grabbing a draw in the Melbourne derby. They’ll need patience too, to overcome a resolute Western defence that hasn’t conceded in six and a bit hours. But that can’t last forever – and Western don’t score too many up the other end.
Sydney are starting to piece their season together and they’ve already beaten Macarthur in the Cup. But the Bulls are the early-season pace-setters and showed their mettle in coming from behind to defeat the Jets. Draw.
(Photo by Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Wellington are in a bit of a hole. I think they need some reinforcements through the spine of their team.
The Mariners have been super-aggressive, particularly at home, and I can’t see the Phoenix putting an end to their good run.
Stuart Thomas
Newcastle, Victory, Macarthur, Central Coast
If anyone thinks I am silly enough to pick the Wanderers with all the uncertainty around the club, they are seriously deluded.
Western Sydney are a rabble, broken, busted and forlorn. Expect the Jets to bounce back after a poor capitulation against the Bulls last week.
I think we have all seen enough to believe that Melbourne Victory are the real deal in 2021-22. I certainly have.
Western are very, very good as well. What a match this stands to be. Victory by a single goal, scored in the dying embers of the contest.
(Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Did Sydney FC rediscover their mojo against Wellington last week? Well they were better, but far from polished. Macarthur are a top two side in waiting and will send the Sky Blues away from Campbelltown Stadium with nothing to show for their efforts.
The Mariners are riding high and after having rested a few top liners midweek, they should be too strong for the Phoenix on the Central Coast.
This could well be the game of the round in terms of open play and entertainment. Let’s hope so, but the home side look good things for the three points to shoot further up the A-League Men ladder.
Texi Smith
Western Sydney, Victory, Sydney, Central Coast
The Jets will be absolutely fuming after they were given a harsh lesson in finishing at Macarthur last week.
Their striking options of Valentino Yuel, Beka Mikeltadze and the surprise star Olivier Boumal will be looking to put things right, and Daniel Penha gives them a touch of silk in midfield.
Where they’ll get found out, though, will be at the back and an unexpectedly spritely Wanderers will finally find their scoring touch.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Tomer Hemed will be at the heart of everything good, and the returning hero Steven Ugarkovic will plant his Western Sydney flag into the empty home terraces with a late winner and an over-the-top celebration.
Victory in third, Western United in second, this has a classic written all over it. The strength that Melbourne Victory possess in their squad is starting to count. There are some game-changers who can come off the bench and flick a switch and they will be buoyed by their late comeback against City last week.
But the ‘home’ side have Alessandro Diamanti and he can unlock any defence with a mesmerising array of pinpoint accurate through balls. Despite Dylan Pierias giving United the lead, Victory will convert their chances ruthlessly and win the game 3-1.
When Macarthur FC went to Sydney FC last month, Tomi Uskok had a large selection of Sky Blue players in his pocket. With veteran EPL star Adrian Mariappa alongside him, and Daniel De Silva ready to inflict more pain on his former club, the home team can take advantage of the home support and give their opponents a rough ride.
But you just never know with Sydney FC. They have big game players and this is the biggest Sydney derby they’ll have this season. Bobo will latch on to a Rhyan Grant through ball to steer home the only goal of the game.
The Mariners have a chance to shine against a Phoenix team struggling to get any traction this year. A run of home games is building momentum and the midweek thrashing of APIA in the FFA Cup signalled their current mood. With Cy Goddard breaking the seal on his goal scoring, we should start to see more.
Wellington Phoenix, with goalkeeper woes but a very able replacement in the crazy-haired Alex Paulsen, will be on the back foot for the whole game.
Despite some counter-attacking bravado, they will be well and truly flattened. This should be at least a three-goal win.
| Match Week 6 | Mike | Simon | Stuart | Texi | The Crowd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEW vs WSW | NEW | WSW | NEW | WSW | ? |
| MVC vs WUN | MVC | MVC | MVC | MVC | ? |
| MAC vs SYD | Draw | Draw | MAC | SYD | ? |
| CCM vs WEL | CCM | CCM | CCM | CCM | ? |
| Last Week | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Total | 10 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 11 |
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
We're down to three games this weekend. If you're playing fantasy football, you're in a world of pain right now!
Griffo
Roar Guru
NEW 5 – 0 WSW MVC 1 – 0 WUN MAC 1 – 0 SYD CCM 1 – 1 WEL Before the game was postponed I think a 5-0 drubbing would help WSW to make the decision they wanted to make - calling time on Carl’s Aussie coaching stint. Whether another game or two will occur before then and a Robinso-less WSW face the Jets, who knows. I stand by that score line regardless :stoked: CCM and Nix draw but could be a win as Ufuk tried to fire the side under what would be trying times this part of the year away from home.
Ferno
Guest
Forget about Glory. Sage wants someone to invest in the club but allowing him to keep control. I dont believe It makes any Sense. Btw, in Brazil, Ronaldo Fenômeno is buying Cruzeiro,the club where he started his professional career, a former libertadores Winner that IS now on Second tier and with huge debts.
Hudddo
Roar Rookie
What a Coup, a 28 year old player from Cyprus, who hasn’t played in 2 years. Corica has nailed it for South Central Coast FC. Sydney are cooked. Musti is OK, not a great pick up though noting itll probably be midseason, before he’s even up to speed.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
Those 3 clubs you mentioned have all actively wanted to find new owners- however it's none of the ones you mentioned I already confirmed its adelaide But negotiations doesn't mean a sale, remember that
sportstar111
Roar Rookie
It's Adelaide, you're wrong Nick. There's a reason it's Val who broke the rumour. Has been going around for a few weeks
Nick Symonds
Guest
"Not a rumour and the club in question is. adelaide united" - Who says there's only one club in negotiations? There could be another out there who the rumour could be referring to and you've just let slip about Adelaide United. There's probably a few clubs in negotiations. It wouldn't surprise me if Mariners, Jets and Glory were all in talks. The rumour could be talking about anyone: "An A-League club is negotiating for a sale" https://twitter.com/AleagueHub/status/1474206082146836481
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
Not a rumour and the club in question is. adelaide united They have have been in negotiations with 2 interested groups for the past couple months I was asked to not say anything on here, one of the groups is in europe the other is in asia
Stevo
Roar Rookie
“ Sydney FC have pulled off a significant coup by signing Socceroos midfielder Mustafa Amini as a replacement for the injured Luke Brattan.” https://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/socceroo-amini-returns-from-europe-to-sign-for-sydney-fc-20211224-p59k2a.html
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Who, what, where :shocked: :shocked:
Nick Symonds
Guest
STADIUM NEWS: Populous-designed Cathedral stadium set to replace Milan's San Siro - The San Siro is one of the world's best-known stadiums. Designed by architect Ulisse Stacchini and extensively remodelled for the 1990 World Cup by Ragazzi and Partners, it was described by designer Fabio Novembre as "probably the most well-known place in Milan". Its replacement has been controversial, with architects, critics and heritage bodies critical of its demolition. Last year Italian architect Angelo Renna proposed turning the stadium into a coronavirus memorial by filling it with 35,000 cypress trees. - https://www.dezeen.com/2021/12/21/populous-cathedral-stadium-inter-milan-ac-milan-san-siro/ https://www.dezeen.com/2020/07/17/san-siro-coronavirus-memorial-angelo-renna/
Hudddo
Roar Rookie
Rumours of an Aleague club sale.
Hudddo
Roar Rookie
But you keep saying ‘on paper’, what paper? Because from the paper I’ve looked at for the last 12+ months, the Mariner don’t look weak at all. Lets take your Mariners vs Syd FC example. The Mariners haven’t been beaten by Syd since Feb 2020. 2 extremely convincing Mariners wins, and a FC fight back from 2 nil down to draw. On paper, there is an age average diference between the 2 teams of around 6 years, the starting line ups was mariners at 24.7 ( the youngest in the league this year),Syd FC was 30.3 Sydney’s oldest team to grace the park this year. This might be seen a detriment if you don’t realised that the spine of mariners team has been playing top tier for 2 years already. In attack we have a bloke who’s scored in a WC, and a player who saw out a tutelage at Corinthians and VDG. The fresh blood Syd Fc brought in was Bobo and ALF. In the mid, Ninkovic is so far in Nisbets pocket, Nizzy is Gunna need bigger pants, and he’s been there for 18 months. The frustrating thing with niz is if he was playing for FC of MC he’d have been an olyroo last year. In defence we had the second strongest defence last year only to FC, but FC structure has been weakening for years. Hall and Farrell were always gunna be good if you’d seen them in NPL. Rowles is now being scouted by European and Asian clubs, and we cut loose our dead weight. I haven’t seen any defenders come to the FC that I would say are even worth of mentioning. The Mariners coach has coached most of this team for the last 4 years, he is one of only 2 coaches currently in Australia with a European pro licence, the other being kisnorbo. Corica has introduced who to the club? to add the bloke actually turned down Cy, after ALF recommended him (I personally rate him as the second best crosser in the League) and Urena…. So I ask again, what paper are you reading? Because every thing I’ve read seems to confirm what I’m seeing, the Mariners have a solid team.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
In terms of the starting lineups in the last match i say the reverse. Redmayne is better than Birrighiti , but both are very good, Redmayne weaker on distribution. Defence strongpoint for the Mariners, their fullbacks are good , center backs fast particularly Dan Hall . Sydney fc glaring weakness Wilkinson, so slow, midfielders have to take a yellow card for the team because they know Wilkinson cant stop anyone anymore. Midfield edged by Mariners, Caceres to me the top midfielder, Nisbet the best for the Martiner, its comes down to Ninkovic played one season too many. Attack, Bobo hardly moves, you cant be serious.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
NEW 3 – 1 WSW MVC 2 – 2 WUN MAC 2 – 0 SYD CCM 2 – 0 WEL
Samuel Power
Roar Rookie
NEW 1 - 1 WSW (predicted crowd: 0) MVC 2 - 1 WUN (predicted crowd: 14,000) MAC 1 - 0 SYD (predicted crowd: 5,000) CCM 3 - 1 WEL (predicted crowd: 4,500)
Redcap
Roar Guru
How much are the tickets?
Texi
Roar Rookie
Sydney FC to beat Macarthur FC to make those inflated ticket prices worthwhile. How can you justify those prices?
sportstar111
Roar Rookie
mariners have a far better manager though ...
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
we all know 'on paper' generally equates to nothing. EG. on paper, manchester united look like an incredible attacking team, are they an incredible attacking team? obviously not lol ill give you a working example of what i mean, when i say break down the 4 sections of the field (attack/midfield/defence/goalkeeper) lets compare sydney and the mariners on paper sydneys attack is stronger, midfielder is stronger as well as defence, when it comes to goalkeepers, the mariners have the better goalie so sydney is stronger 'on paper' in 3/4 of the categories against the mariners. Yet look at the respective league positions and you can see 'on paper' means nothing im not trying to insult the mariners, if you follow my posts i have always been very complimentary of the club and what it stands for. theres a reason most pundits picked them to finish near the bottom and thats because 'on paper' the team does not look very strong