A-League Round 1 (15/08 - 17/08)

Newcastle Jets v Central Coast
Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory
Wellington Phoenix v Queensland Roar


A-League kicks off this Friday with the following games. Previews for all games will be provided shortly.
Some picks will be provided once team line-ups are known (i.e 30 minutes before kick-off).

Friday, August 15 20:00
Newcastle Jets v Central Coast Mariners
Jets
In: Ben Kantarovski, Antun Kovacic, Jason Naidovski, , Kaz Patafta, Edmundo Zura.
Out: James Holland, Jade North, Jesper Håkansson, Shaun Ontong (indefinite)
Mariners
In: Pedj Bojic, Adrian Caceras, David d'Apuzzo, Ahmad Elrich.
Out: Mile Jedinak (indefinite), Nigel Boogaard, Andre Gumprecht, Greg Owens, Dylan MacAllister, Mark Bosnich (released temporarily)

Summary: Tough game to kick off the season for both teams, especially as it's a derby and a replay of the 07/08 finals playoff. Mariners have plenty of attacking potential despite the loss of Aloisi to Sydney, but the Jets are equally as adept in defence. Some important absentees for both sides in this match, in what promises to be a tight and tense affair. Newcastle will have to make do without captain and central defender Jade North, and young midfield starlet James Holland (both on Olympic duty). The Mariners are further depleted, especially in midfield with commanding midfielder Jedinak succumbing to a groin injury and attacking midfielders Gumprecht and Owens also likely to miss out. Doubts are also cast over defenders Boogaard, O'Grady, and Heffernan.

Previous encounters:
Feb 24, 2008 Central Coast 0 - 1 Newcastle Jets
Feb 10, 2008 Central Coast 3 - 0 Newcastle Jets
Jan 27, 2008 Newcastle Jets 2 - 0 Central Coast
Jan 12, 2008 Central Coast 1 - 2 Newcastle Jets
Nov 25, 2007 Newcastle Jets 0 - 0 Central Coast
Oct 7, 2007 Central Coast 1 - 1 Newcastle Jets
Jan 5, 2007 Newcastle Jets 1 - 0 Central Coast

Footy Analysis predicts that the Jets will win this game. Central Coast's midfield is decimated with injuries.
Newcastle Jets 1 - 1 Central Coast

Saturday, August 16 19:00
Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory
Sydney
In: Simon Colosimo, Chris Payne, Shannon Cole, Robbie Mileski.
Out: Alex Brosque, John Aloisi, Stuart Musialik, Mitchell Prentice, Dez Giraldi, Mark Bridge (doubtful), Brendon Santalab.
Victory
In: Steve Mautone, Ney Fabiano, Tom Pondeljak, Jose Lopez, Michael Thwaite.
Out: Archie Thompson, Daniel Vasilevski, Grant Brebner, Nick Ward.

Previous encounters:
Jan 20, 2008 Sydney 2 - 2 Melbourne
Nov 10, 2007 Melbourne 0 - 0 Sydney
Oct 6, 2007 Sydney 0 - 1 Melbourne
Aug 11, 2007 Melbourne 0 - 1 Sydney
Dec 8, 2006 Melbourne 0 - 0 Sydney
Oct 21, 2006 Sydney 1 - 2 Melbourne
Sep 2, 2006 Melbourne 3 - 2 Sydney

Summary: Big city rivalry will be at its feverish best this evening when Sydney go head to head with their South East rivals Melbourne. Melbourne will be encouraged by their pre-season cup capture whilst Sydney always fancy themselves to get one over their long term rivals. Both teams have invested well during the off season but the Sydney faithful will need to wait a little longer to see their new arrivals who will be missing due to injury and suspension. Unbelievably, four of Sydney's main strikers will definitely miss out whilst Mark Bridge is doubtful after suffering from cramp in the Olympics encounter against the Ivory Coast. Victory's notable absentees are striker Archie Thompson and Grant Brebner but new boys Ney Fabiano and Costa Rican midfielder Jose Lopez should prove to be able replacements.

Footy Analysis predicts that Melbourne has a good chance of taking all 3 points. Melbourne has only lost once in 9 previous meetings against Sydney (4-4-1). With Sydney's major signings and usual strikers sitting this one out, they will be hard-pressed to find the back of the net. Melbourne look much stronger this season and despite the loss of Thompson, they look to have the creativity within their ranks to create many chances.

Pick: LAY Sydney (Sydney not to win)
Sydney 0 - 0 Melbourne

Sunday, August 17
15:00
Wellington Phoenix v Queensland Roar
Wellington
In: Leo Bertos, Andrew Durante, Troy Hearfield, Adam Kwasnik, Gao Leilei, Jonathan McKain.
Out: Vince Lia, Greg Draper.
Queensland
In: Tim Smits, Sergio Van Dijk, David Dodd, Charlie Miller, Luke Devere.
Out: Craig Moore, Andrew Packer, Isaka Cernak.

Summary: Wellington start this campaign with a new sense of optimism, after reaching the final of the pre-season cup and coming oh so close, eventually losing on penalties to Melbourne. Ricki Herbert has invested well in the off-season and Wellington (and New Zealand) should finally have a team to be proud of. Queensland will miss skipper Craig Moore through suspension, and will hand new signings Smits Van Dijk, and Devere their debuts.

Previous encounters:
Jul 27, 2008 Pre-Season Cup Queensland 1 - 1 Wellington
Dec 14, 2007 A-League Wellington 1 - 1 Queensland
Nov 11, 2007 A-League Queensland 3 - 0 Wellington
Oct 5, 2007 A-League Queensland 2 - 1 Wellington
Jul 27, 2007 A-League Wellington 1 - 2 Queensland

Footy Analysis predicts that on the back of their fabulous feat in pre-season, the Wellington crowd will get right behind their side in this season opener. Queensland have some exciting talent but Wellington are a different proposition to seasons gone by.

Pick: Lots of changes in both sides. Tough to predict.