A-League Round 9 (24/10 to 26/10)

Central Coast v Newcastle Jets
Melbourne Victory v Sydney FC
Wellington Phoenix v Queensland Roar
Adelaide United v Perth Glory


When all is said and done, Round 8 will be remembered as the round of upsets. All the favoured teams went down in flames, with the worst casualties been the Central Coast and Sydney, losing out to bottom placed teams Wellington and Perth Glory. Following that incredible round of results, only 7 points seperates the sides from top to bottom so we can expect some chopping and changing of positions in the coming weeks. On to Round 9 and the toast of Australian football, Adelaide FC, will look to get over a possible Asian Champions League hangover against the improving Perth Glory. It's derby time in the South-East where Central Coast do battle with Newcastle, and Melbourne look to arrest a dip in form against fellow big city rivals Sydney. With both teams level on 9pts, Queensland will cross the Tasman to fight out an important 3 points against Wellington.

Friday, 24 October
Central Coast v Newcastle

Summary: After a short 5-day turnaround, Central Coast will look to overcome the dissapointment of losing at home to league minnows, Wellington Phoenix, in the 17th edition of the South East derby against Newcastle. Last time out, Newcastle were convincing in their 1-0 defeat of league leaders Melbourne Victory and will look to continue in the same vein here, especially that they now have the talented Griffiths brothers at their disposal. If history is anything to go by, Newcastle will fancy themselves here as they have only lost once to their bitter rivals in their last 10 meetings.

Central Coast
In: Depuzzo, Mrdja
Out: Clarke (dislocated shoulder), Boogaard (concussion)

Newcastle
In: Milligan
Out: Holland, Jesic, Kantarovski

Verdict: Apart from their 4-1 thrashing of lowly Perth Glory in Round 6, Central Coast have been struggling in recent times with only one win in their last 5 encounters. To make matters worse, Mariners coach Laurie McKinna will need to reshuffle his defence with Clarke and Boogaard out through injury. This means that slow veteran Paul O'Grady will be asked to field a central defensive position against one of the quickest players in the league, Joel Griffiths. Newcastle have signed former Sydney midfielder and Australian international, Mark Milligan, for whom will be thrown straight into the line of fire to cover for the absence of James Holland who is off to Saudi Arabia on international duty. Fellow team mates, Jesic and Kantarovski will join Holland on duty but Newcastle have able cover to supplement these losses with bright winger Song and the return of Joel Griffiths. After a solid start to the season, the Mariners are beginning to waiver whereas in total contrast, Newcastle are beginning to pick up momentum.

Pick: Newcastle + 0-0.5
Central Coast 1 - 0 Newcastle

Saturday, 25 October
Melbourne v Sydney

Summary: Two of the bigger clubs in Australian domestic football have flattered to deceive in the last month, accumulating only two wins between them in the last 4 rounds. In Round 8 Melbourne were outplayed at Newcastle, succumbing to a 1-0 loss and losing their main attacking threat in Archie Thompson via a red card. Sydney were equally as unimpressive in their 2-1 away defeat to bottom table Perth Glory. Sydney have now lost to the two bottom teams (other is Wellington) in their recent slump in form.

Melbourne
In: Lopez
Out: Thompson

Sydney
In: Busch, Golec
Out: Brosque, Popovic, Fyfe

Verdict: Melbourne will be without their main attacking weapons in Thompson and Fabiano, both serving their respective suspensions. Sydney also have notable absentees in spearhead Alex Brosque, and experienced defensive duo, Popovic and Fyfe, all out through injury. This fixture has historically served up physical encounters with minimal goals. Melbourne manager, Ernie Merrick, has stated that he will push midfielders Pondeljak and Hernandez further up the field to pose more of an attacking threat. Melbourne go into this match as worthy favourites but Sydney will fight tooth and nail to make it a contest in what is possibly the most glamorous fixture of the A-League season.

Pick: Under 2.5 goals (Confidence 8/10)
Melbourne 0 - 2 Sydney

Sunday, 26 October
Wellington Phoenix v Queensland Roar

Summary: Wellington seem to have finally shaken off their early season cobwebs. They have only lost one in their last five and impressively picked up wins against top 4 sides, Sydney and Central Coast. Queensland on the other hand have been misfiring in recent times, with Brazilian striker Reinaldo the main culprit. Good news for the Roar is that Tim Smits and Sergio Van Dijk return to the side to bolster their attacking arsenal.

Wellington
In:
Out:

Queensland
In: Smits, Van Dijk, Dodd
Out: Minniecon, Seo, Griffin

Verdict: Despite their shaky form at home, Queensland still hold the best away record in the A-League. Wellington have defenitely improved in the last month but the Queensland unit are like a wounded animal at the moment and have the young legs to pressure Wellington into errors. Add to this the added attacking options now available to the visitors and it is likely that they will return to Australian shores with maximum points.

Pick: Queensland +0,0.5 (Confidence 8/10)
Wellington 0 - 1 Queensland

Adelaide United v Perth Glory

Summary: Poor travellers and bottom-placed, Perth Glory, travel to Adelaide in the hope that they can build on last week's 2-1 win over league leader's Sydney FC. The crowd at Hindmarsh stadium will be in a buoyant mood after their team created Australian domestic football history midweek. Adelaide are the first Australian team ever to reach the Asian Champions League final after overcoming a Rivaldo-led Bunyadkor over 2 semi-final legs. It will be interesting to see whether the long and arduous trip from Tashkent will have any effect on the players.

Adelaide
In: Diego, Valkanis
Out: Agostino

Perth
In: Djulbic
Out: Dadi

Verdict: Perth have conceded 14 goals in their 4 games away from home this season so they will be thankful for centre-back Djulbic's return from suspension. Adelaide's Agostino misses out here but it is not a big loss for the South Australians as he has misfired all season. Players like Cristiano, Cassio and Dodd loom as the main attacking threats for the home side. Perth manager, David Mitchell, played Rukavytsya and Harnwell as strike partners last weekend and it proved to be the perfect big man, small man combination. Perth have achieved some creditable results in Adelaide in the past. With the home team likely to be a little leg weary, I expect the pace of Rukavutsya to really hurt the home side.

Pick: Perth +0.5,1 (Confidence 6/10)
Adelaide 2 - 1 Perth