Newcastle
United v Melbourne City Jets
Hunter
Stadium, Newcastle
Tuesday,
December 30
4.00
PM (AEST)
The Jets return to Hunter Stadium this week, the scene of their
first win of the season against Adelaide. Melbourne City will travel with
plenty of confidence after sharing the points with league leaders Perth Glory
in a match they probably thought they could have won. This is a difficult game
to pick the winner given both the patchy form of both sides. I think Newcastle
at home may just get the result given City have just one draw from six trips to
the Hunter. #NEWvMCY
Pick: Newcastle Jets (Draw No Bet)
Brisbane
Roar v Sydney FC
Suncorp
Stadium, Brisbane
Tuesday,
December 30
7.00
PM (AEST)
The Roar are back home at Suncorp Stadium for the first time since
late November and will be up against an injury and form ravaged Sydney FC. New
coach Frans Thijssen will be pleased with the fighting spirit and improved
attack after an exciting 3-all draw with the Mariners, which saw Jean Carlos
Solórzano net an impressive brace. Sydney FC are winless since the 22nd of
November and have been kept scoreless in their past two encounters against
Wellington and Adelaide at home. Coach Graham Arnold is feeling the pressure
and will be hoping some reinforcements in the January transfer window will help
change their fortunes. #BRIvSYD
Pick: Brisbane Roar H2H
Adelaide
United v Wellington Phoenix
Coopers
Stadium, Adelaide
Wednesday,
December 31
6.30
PM (AEST)
Some pundits were beginning to think inaugural FFA Cup champions
Adelaide United had reached a plateau in form after their loss to the Jets. How
wrong they were! Resolute Reds scored three late goals to bury Sydney FC at
home. They possess a wonderful team approach to their football, with many
willing to stand up and contibute to their on-field success this year. Awer
Mabil is always a great option to score, as in Sergio Cirio for first goal
scorer. This promises to be an entertaining game between the two form teams in
the competition. Adelaide narrowly beat the Nix 2-1 back in November with an
added-time Cirio winner, but this will closer if Wellington can match their
form. #ADLvWEL
Pick: Draw
Western
Sydney Wanderers v Central Coast Mariners
Pirtek
Stadium, Parramatta
Thursday,
January 01
6.30
PM (AEST)
The Wanderers’ poor record this season can be talked about and
attributed to many things, but at the end of the day victory is the only thing
that will appease their loyal fans and supporters. Speculation over whether
popular coach Tony Popovic will head to EPL club Crystal Palace will only
destabilise an already shaky playing group, but with quality on and off the
pitch, other clubs hope their woes continue. The Mariners showed plenty of
heart against the Roar and finally netted some goals. They’ve only won once at
Parramatta in five trips, but have never had a better chance against a
struggling Wanderers outfit. #WSWvCCM
Pick: Wanderers (Draw No Bet)
Melbourne
Victory v Perth Glory
Simonds
Stadium, Geelong
Friday,
January 02
6.40
PM (AEST)
The Victory grafted out an impressive win against a gallant
Newcastle Jets at AAMI Park on the back of a Gui Finkler set piece master
class. Perth will be a different kettle of fish however, as they play their
second match in Victoria in the space of a week. Simonds Stadium, Geelong, is
the venue, so the change to the normally parochial home advantage enjoyed by
the Victory at Etihad and AAMI may lift the spirits in the Glory, who have lost
only one match away from nib Stadium all season. The top of the table clash
should deliver on many levels, and the contrasting sideline style of the
coaches will also be a highlight. Victory will be keen to claw back the
four-point lead, but with Ben Khalfallah missing due to his 5th yellow card of
the season, I’m tipping the Glory to continue their impressive away form.
#MVCvPER
Pick: Perth Glory FC H2H
I’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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