Wellington Phoenix v Western
Sydney Wanderers
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Friday, November 7
4.30 PM (AEST)
The Phoenix take on recent Asian Champions League
winners WSW and will back themselves against a side mentality fatigued after a
momentous week in its short history. The come down will be immense, but the
task ahead just as important, as the Wanderers search for their first points of
the season. The travel, together with dulling down the euphoria of the ACL
success, will be a tough assignment for Tony Popovic to manage. But as they
have shown all campaign their ability to rise for any challenge is synonymous
with the WSW. Despite being on top of Asia, the events of the past week should
catch up with them, and I feel the Phoenix
can steal the three points. Nathan Burns as first scorer or to score a goal is
good value.
Pick: Wellington Phoenix H2H
Adelaide United v Sydney
FC
Coopers Stadium, Adelaide
Friday, November 7
6.45 PM (AEST)
This is undoubtedly the match of
the round between two of the top three sides. Sydney
is only one goal ahead of Adelaide
in goal differential, with both teams conceding the fewest goals of any side in
the league (3). Sydney’s long term defensive question marks of the past look to
have been answered, but the attack and speed down the flanks of a classy
Adelaide will be the ultimate litmus test for Graham Arnold’s travelling Sky
Blues team. This will be close early on, but as the match wears on, Sydney’s intensity for
the 90mins may wane as was shown late in the Mariners game.
Pick: Adelaide
United H2H
Newcastle Jets v Melbourne
Victory
Hunter Stadium, Newcastle
Sat, November 8
4 PM (AEST)
The Jets' form woes continue
after playing the first four rounds away from Hunter Stadium in a tough start
to the season. They have shown glimpses of positive attacking play, but fail to
convert the chances onto the score sheet. They will be up against a Melbourne
Victory at the peak of their game, despite injuries and suspensions decimating
the squad prior to Tuesday’s night’s impressive win over the Phoenix. Difficult to go past the Victory on
current form.
Pick: Melbourne
Victory H2H
Brisbane Roar v Melbourne City
Suncorp Stadium,
Brisbane
Sat, November 8
6.30 PM (AEST)
This game should be dubbed the
#DesperationDerby as both coaches are under immense pressure to deliver their
respective clubs a win for the season. With Liam Miller moving on from the
Roar, the Premiers have had a week off to re-focus and fine-tune their attack
and defensive pattern. Matt Mackay is a welcome return from suspension and he
will be looking to gain the upper hand in the battle for mid-field possession.
City have bid a hasty farewell to Spanish superstar David Villa, and his
absence could be just what the coach is looking for to gain some control over a
squad that has worked hard all off season.
Pick: Brisbane
Roar (Draw No Bet)
Central Coast
Mariners v Perth Glory
Central Coast
Stadium, Gosford
Sunday, November 9
4 PM (AEST)
Perth Glory are sitting
comfortably in fourth place on the A-League ladder, but Manager Kenny Lowe may
have some selection headaches ahead of Tuesday nights FFA Cup semi-final clash
with Victorian giant-killers Bentleigh Greens. The Mariners have been far from
impressive in their opening three games, but with a home ground advantage to
help boost confidence, I think they can get the job done against a Glory team
that could just get ahead of themselves.
Pick: Central
Coast Mariners H2H
I’ll be on The TattsBet Brekky show @tattsbetbrekky every
Friday and Monday morning around 7:45am AEST over the course of the entire
@Aleague season with my previews and reviews of every game.
James ‘Hamez’ Clark
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