Whereas last week saw a shortened round A-League, this week we’re treated to a long weekend of footballing action. As usual, we’ve got you covered for all your A-League expert tipping needs.
Last week was filled with a veritable plethora of stalemates, with Perth the only side to emerge with the three points. That threw most of us off the scent, so to speak, with Vas picking up three out of four, yours truly tipping two, and everyone else managing just the solitary point.
That has seen Vas climb up into equal third alongside Mike and The Crowd on 15 points, trailing Matt (17) and myself (19).
With five fixtures back on the agenda this week, after the clash between the Phoenix and Victory was postponed last round, we’ve got a full round of football to sink our teeth into.
Kicking things off is Perth’s Thursday-night trip to face the Mariners, and Western Sydney will host a Friday night encounter for the second week in a row, this time against the Roar.
The Victory will be looking to give their season a boost when they host the Jets on Saturday, Sydney will look to rebound for their first non-win of the season when they welcome Adelaide to the SFS, and Melbourne City will finish the round off when they host the Phoenix.
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 Thursday, so make sure you check back after then to see the final results.
On to the tips!
Perth Glory, Draw, Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC, Melbourne City
Central Coast Mariners vs Perth Glory
Glory. Another Thursday night kick-off won’t do much for the atmosphere in Gosford, but Perth should have enough quality to see off the stubborn Mariners.
Western Sydney Wanderers vs Brisbane Roar
Draw. The hosts are desperate for a win, but they’ll find Brisbane Roar a tough nut to crack in front of an increasingly restless Spotless Stadium crowd.
Melbourne Victory vs Newcastle Jets
Victory. The early game on Saturday should see Victory comfortably account for the Jets at AAMI Park, even if Kevin Muscat’s team have so far flattered to deceive.
Sydney FC vs Adelaide United
Sydney. The Sky Blues faced their first serious test last weekend, and although they only drew against the Roar, they’ll have too much class for an injury-hit Adelaide.
Melbourne City vs Wellington Phoenix
City. Melbourne City inexplicably let two points slip last time out, but they’ll be too strong for a travelling Phoenix side that didn’t play last weekend.
Perth Glory, Brisbane Roar, Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC, Draw
Central Coast Mariners vs Perth Glory
Perth. The Mariners are good in possession but they just can’t seem to keep a clean sheet. Perth should be too strong.
Western Sydney Wanderers vs Brisbane Roar
Brisbane. The Wanderers made the right call dropping Andrew Redmayne for Jerrad Tyson but they still seem frail at the back. With Jamie Maclaren likely to feature from the start, I expect him to score and Brisbane to win.
Melbourne Victory vs Newcastle Jets
Victory. The Jets have a superb record in Melbourne but they’re too injury-hit this time around to make that work for them. Their failure to put away the 10-man Mariners says plenty about their toothless attack and I don’t think Victory will have too much trouble getting the job done.
Sydney FC vs Adelaide United
Sydney. Sydney couldn’t quite make it seven from seven, although they really should have had their game against Brisbane won by the break. I still think they’ll be too strong for Adelaide, who’ll be without charismatic coach Guillermo Amor and maybe striker Sergi Guardiola for this.
Melbourne City vs Wellington Phoenix
Draw. City were unconvincing against the Wanderers last week. Wellington had the week off due to events in New Zealand and I’ve got a feeling they will get something out of this. I’m still waiting for City to convince me they’re the real deal.
Perth Glory, Brisbane Roar, Melbourne Victory, Draw, Draw
Central Coast Mariners vs Perth Glory
Perth.
Western Sydney Wanderers vs Brisbane Roar
Brisbane.
Melbourne Victory vs Newcastle Jets
Victory.
Sydney FC vs Adelaide United
Draw.
Melbourne City vs Wellington Phoenix
Draw.
Perth Glory, Draw, Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC, Melbourne City
Central Coast Mariners vs Perth Glory
Perth. The two teams meet for the second time this season, after the memorable 3-3 draw in the opening round. The Mariners did well to hold Newcastle to a draw last week with ten men, while Perth’s results on the road have been mixed. Goals are on offer, but Perth should have plenty of firepower to get past the Mariners, and the memories of round one will ensure they maintain a tighter defence.
Western Sydney Wanderers vs Brisbane Roar
Draw. The spluttering Wanderers have been the season’s disappointment, with points dropped all too regularly. Yet three points can lift the Wanderers back around the top half, while Brisbane were obdurate in defiance to the high-flying Sydney FC last week. Tony Popovic’s side need to embrace Homebush as their home quick smart, while Brisbane will once again be a tough opponent. A draw is a good bet.
Melbourne Victory vs Newcastle Jets
Melbourne. Rested after a week off, the Victory can rise to second place with a win against the struggling Jets. The break may have come at a good time for the Victory, who have otherwise had a gruelling schedule to begin the season. The Jets are hard pressed to take any points from Melbourne, with forwards Aleksandr Kokko and Andrew Nabbout unavailable. Melbourne in a canter.
Sydney FC vs Adelaide United
Sydney. The mismatch of the round, with Sydney FC’s perfect run finally halted by the Roar last week. Nevertheless, they are strong favourites to win easily against Adelaide, who have been lamentable in their championship defence thus far. Adelaide are on the road for the second straight week, having lost in Perth. The Reds may be inclined to start proceedings in a cautious manner, allowing the Sky Blues to dominate possession.
Melbourne City vs Wellington Phoenix
City. The two-week gap between games for the Phoenix came at the worst time, having broken their winning duck against the Mariners. Yet now they are required to travel to Melbourne to face City, who gifted the Wanderers a point last week via Neil Kilkenny. The Phoenix will be hard-pressed to gain any momentum from two weeks ago, notwithstanding the imposing home record that City possess. Any result for the Phoenix will be seen as positive, but Melbourne should be too strong.
Perth Glory, Brisbane Roar, Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC, Melbourne City
Central Coast Mariners vs Perth Glory
Perth Glory. They’re often poor travellers, but I still can’t bring myself to tip anything but a Glory win in this one – they’ve just got quality around the park that Central Coast are lacking.
Western Sydney Wanderers vs Brisbane Roar
Brisbane. The Roar have been improving in recent weeks and could well have inflicted a first loss against Sydney FC last week. The Wanderers, on the other hand, are still not looking at their best.
Melbourne Victory vs Newcastle Jets
Melbourne. They may be a little rusty after their enforced break last week, but the Victory still have far too much class around the park for the Jets, who seem to be engaged in a constant battle with injury this season.
Sydney FC vs Adelaide United
Sydney. The Sky Blues finally dropped points last week, but at home against a struggling Adelaide outfit, they should chalk up their seventh win of the season.
Melbourne City vs Wellington Phoenix
Melbourne City. City haven’t been particularly consistent this year, but they’ve still been pretty good at home. I don’t see Wellington’s defence being able to keep out Cahill, Fornaroli and co.
| Round 8 | Mike | Matt | Janek | Vas | Daniel | The Crowd |
| CCM v PER | PER | PER | PER | PER | PER | PER |
| WSW v BRI | Draw | BRI | BRI | Draw | BRI | BRI |
| MVC v NEW | MVC | MVC | MVC | MVC | MVC | MVC |
| SYD v ADL | SYD | SYD | Draw | SYD | SYD | SYD |
| MLC v WEL | MLC | Draw | Draw | MLC | MLC | MLC |
| Last week | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Total | 15 | 17 | 9 | 15 | 19 | 15 |
So that’s what we think, and there’s a fair bit of agreement from The Crowd. Like everyone else, they’re tipping Perth and the Victory to get the job done at home, while also backing in the Roar, Sky Blues and Melbourne City in the other fixtures of the round.
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