A-League Round 3 (29/08 - 31/08)

Melbourne Victory v Newcastle Jets
Adelaide United v Wellington Phoenix
Sydney United v Perth Glory


After goals were hard to come by in the first round, we saw an impressive 19 find the back of the net to amass an average of almost 5 goals a game! Melbourne Victory were rewarded for their enterprising football with a 4-2 win away to Wellington, whereas last season's Premiers, Newcastle, showed their fighting qualities to score a last minute equaliser in their 3-3 draw away to Perth Glory.
A strenghtened Sydney played more like their true selves, scoring a solid 3-2 away win against Central Coast. Adelaide and Queensland didn't read the Round 2 script, playing out a low-scoring stalemate
(1-1) in their encounter.
Some picks will be provided once team line-ups are known (i.e 30 minutes before kick-off).

Friday, August 29
20:00
Melbourne Victory v Newcastle Jets
Melbourne
In: Archie Thompson, Michael Theoklitos.
Out: Nick Ward, Daniel Vasilevski, Nathan Elasi, Seb Ryall.
Jets
In: Jesper Hakansson, Jason Hoffman.
Out: Kaz Patafta, Shaun Ontong.

Summary: Melbourne have been impressive so far this season and should probably have two wins (instead of the one) to their name at this stage. Melbourne's best player, Archie Thompson, has finally overcome his injuries to take his position on the substitutes' bench this evening. Joining him in the inclusions column this evening is two-time reigning goalkeeper of the year, Michael Theoklitos. Newcastle are also strengthened with Danish import, Hakansson, making his debut whilst exciting young prospect, Jason Hoffman, returns from national duty in Australia's youth team.

Previous encounters:
Aug 2, 2008 Pre-Season Newcastle 0 - 1 Melbourne
Dec 16, 2007 A-League Melbourne 1 - 3 Newcastle
Oct 26, 2007 A-League Melbourne 0 - 2 Newcastle
Sep 21, 2007 A-League Newcastle 2 - 2 Melbourne
Jul 22, 2007 A-League Melbourne 0 - 1 Newcastle
Jan 19, 2007 A-League Newcastle 4 - 0 Melbourne
Nov 26, 2006 A-League Melbourne 0 - 1 Newcastle

Footy Analysis predicts a tight encounter, considering that Newcastle has always had a good record against their Melbourne rivals. Melbourne have been the form team whereas the Jets have been a bit below par, conceding 3 goals last week against a relatively toothless Perth Glory. Melbourne should show their attacking teeth this evening but Newcaslte's fine record at Telstra Dome is not to be ignored.

No Pick
Melbourne 5 - 0 Newcastle

Saturday, August 30
19:00
Adelaide United v Wellington Phoenix
Adelaide
In: Diego, Michael Valkanis, Paul Agostino, Daniel Mullen.
Out: Kristian Sarkies, Cassio, Daniel Beltrame, Isyan Erdogan.
Wellington
In: Leo Bertos, David Mulligan, Leilei Gao.
Out: Vaughan Coveny, Manny Muscat, Vince Lia.

Summary: Wellington were back to their inconsistent best last week after they were made to pay dearly for their defensive lapses against a rampant Melbourne team. The Phoenix lost 4-2 in driving, torrential rain so they probably should be thankful to the heavens - otherwise the loss could of been by a bigger margin. Adelaide have been defensively solid till this stage and anemic at the other end, which is surprising considering the attacking options in their ranks. They were still good enough though for a 1-1 draw at Queensland last time out.

Previous encounters:
Nov 30, 2007 A-League Wellington 1 - 2 Adelaide
Oct 28, 2007 A-League Adelaide 4 - 1 Wellington
Sep 22, 2007 A-League Wellington 2 - 2 Adelaide

Footy Analysis predicts that Adelaide has the attacking firepower to breach the Wellington defence at will. With Wellington conceding 4 against Melbourne last week, Adelaide has a great opportunity to break their early season shackles and get their season rolling in a big way.

Pick Adelaide United WIN
Adelaide United 3 - o Wellington

Saturday, August 31

15:00
Sydney United v Perth Glory
Sydney
In: Mitchell Prentice.
Out: Stuart Musialik
Perth
In: James Downey, Anthony Skorich.
Out: Jamie Harnwell.

Summary: Sydney's veteran midfielder, Steve Corica, fired a double last weekend to steer his side to victory away to the Central Coast Mariners in a 3-2 win. Sydney play an attractive brand of football but can sometimes be a little naive with their play. Perth Glory, Dave Mitchell, will try and take advantage of any naivity that may come his team's way, as the Western Australians try and upset the apple cart and take away their first maximum of the season. Perth were involved in a 3-3 thriller against Newcastle last weekend, conceding a goal in the death to throw away 2 points.

Previous encounters:
Dec 15, 2007 A-League Sydney 2 - 4 Perth
Oct 12, 2007 A-League Perth 3 - 3 Sydney
Sep 9, 2007 A-League Perth 0 - 0 Sydney
Dec 14, 2006 A-League Sydney 1 - 0 Perth
Oct 29, 2006 A-League Sydney 1 - 1 Perth
Sep 10, 2006 A-League Perth 1 - 1 Sydney
Aug 6, 2006 A-League Sydney 3 - 0 Perth

Footy Analysis predicts a possible upset in this encounter. Sydney are not at full strength whereas Perth will be encouraged by their performance last time out. The new Perth recruits (Dadi, Amaral, and Trinidad) were impressive against Newcastle and if they can reproduce similar form here, Perth are in with a chance of taking something from their big city rivals.

LAY Sydney (Sydney not to win)
HT Sydney 4- 1 Perth. At 1-1 and Perth looking good, referee Peter Green makes a very poor decision and awards a penalty against Perth. The Perth player made clean contact with the ball. Subsequently, a Perth player is red carded for dissent for protesting the decision. Penalty converted, the rest is history. Referee should get a red card for such poor judgement.
Sydney 5 - 2 Perth