Melbourne City v Perth Glory
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Friday, December 26
4.30 PM (AEST)
Melbourne City will still have a swagger and bragging rights after their late Derby win on the weekend, but the task ahead doesn’t get any easier as they host the current league leaders. The Glory’s record at AAMI Park is mixed, with only four wins from ten matches. They have recorded only one loss this season (Adelaide United) and their four goals against the Mariners has them just two goals adrift of Melbourne Victory as the best attacking team in the A-League. City are searching for their third consecutive win, which would help them, remain in the all-important top six. Based on form, I can’t split the teams and think the points will be shared in this Boxing Day battle. #MCYvPER
Pick: Draw
Sydney FC v Adelaide United
Allianz Stadium, Melbourne
Friday, December 26
6.45 PM (AEST)
The Sky Blues were extremely disappointing against a committed Phoenix outfit and will require plenty of improvement if they’re to challenge an Adelaide side keen to make a mends for their road trip loss to the Jets. Sydney’s defensive record has been the foundation of their season thus far, but was far from impressive as the side battles a growing injury list with veteran defender Sasa Ognenovski ruled out for the rest of the season. Graham Arnold’s team is without a win in over a month, but I have a feeling it may get worse before it gets better, given the alarming number of key “outs”. #SYDvADL
Pick: Adelaide United H2H
Central Coast Mariners v Brisbane Roar
Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Saturday, December 27
4.00 PM (AEST)
The Mariners are a shadow of their former selves that saw them gain an Asian Champions League play-off qualification birth last season. With only one win this season, and a woeful goal differential of -12; things really need a hurry on. With the second worst attack in the league, they host Brisbane Roar, fresh from becoming the first team to leave Coopers Stadium with three points this season. For the Roar, it is a case of everything old is new again as Matt McKay was announced as the new club Captain following the untimely exit of Matt Smith to Bangkok Glass. Barring a massive form reversal, I think the Roar can get the job done in Gosford, where they have only suffered defeat twice in sixteen outings in the shadow of the famous ‘sauce bottles’. #CCMvBRI
Pick: Brisbane Roar H2H
Melbourne Victory v Newcastle Jets
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Saturday, December 27
6.30 PM (AEST)
The Victory are in unfamiliar territory this weekend after suffering their first loss of the season to cross-town Derby rivals Melbourne City. Kevin Muscat was seething following the late winner by Erik Paartalu and will be hoping the empty space on the score sheet will be distant memory. The Jets in contrast enjoyed their first win of the season against Adelaide, courtesy of a late goal by popular off-season signing Jeronimo Neumann. The Jets' record at AAMI isn’t too flash with only three wins from 12 starts at the venue. The last three meetings between the sides have ended in draws and they also shared the points when they met Melbourne City there back in round two. #MVCvNEW
Pick: Draw
Wellington Phoenix v Western Sydney Wanderers
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Sunday, December 28
4.00 PM (AEST)
The Wanderers return home from Morocco still searching for that illusive win since the Asian Champions League final in early November. More travel awaits Tony Popovic’s side as fly across the ditch to face a Phoenix team enjoying a positive season earning them equal second on the most goals scored this season chart (21). Star signing Nathan Burns has chalked up 10 of those, which has him comfortably leading the ‘Golden Boot’ stats by three over Andy Keogh (Perth Glory) and Henrique (Brisbane Roar). The Nix have lost only one game from four starts at home this season (against Perth Glory in Round 1) and deserve their favoritism ahead of Sunday’s match. Incidentally, Wellington defeated the Wanderers 1-0 at the Cake Tin back in Round 5 on the Friday following their historic ACL Final win in Saudi Arabia. I think the Wanderers can finally break their duck and get a much-needed three points to tick the empty column on the stats sheet. #WELvWSW
Pick: Wanderers FC H2HI’ll be on @tattsbetbrekky every Friday and Monday morning around 7:45am AEST over the course of the entire A-league season with my previews and reviews of every game.
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