A-League Round 13 (28/11 to 30/11)

A-League quick picks. Due to time constraints, FULL pre-round analysis will not be available.


Round 13 sees the two most in-form teams in the competition go head to head, two big city rivals lock horns to earn bragging rights, an under dog looking to upset a title contender, and a faultering reigning champion looking to regain its feet against the toast of Australian football. That faultering champion is Newcastle who will look to put a halt to their poor run of form against ACL runner-up, Adelaide United. Perth will hope that their solid home form will be good enough to overcome high-scoring unit, Central Coast. Struggling Sydney will be fighting tooth and nail to arrest a dip in form against perennial rivals Queensland, and the much improved Wellington will open the round against an on song Melbourne Victory.

Friday, 28 November
Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne Victory

Summary: The two most in-form teams in the A-League put their records to the test here. Wellington have won 2 games on the trot with their last, a 2-0 home win over Newcastle. Melbourne have won 3 on the bounce and are beginning to show the fight and hunger that made them 06/07 champions, coming back from a one goal deficit to finally down Central Coast 2-1. Wellington's six week loanee from DC United, Fred, will face his ex team mates for the first time since he helped them defeat Adelaide in the 06/07 Grand Final. Wellington manager Ricki Herbert, will be forced to make one change this week with Andrew Durante replacing the suspended Karl Dodd. Melbourne are strengthened with the return of defensive midfielder and Costa Rican international, Claudio Lopez.

Verdict: Wellington is an improved side compared to the one that went through the motions earlier in the season. They are a more cohesive unit these days but are still guilty of losing possession too easily. It took them until the 80th minute to breach a 9-man Newcastle Jets last weekend after the team with the numerical disadvantage had chances to open the scoring. Despite their two wins on the trot against Newcastle and Sydney (the most out of form teams in the competition), they will need to further improve against a slick Melbourne outfit. Wellington's recent acquisition, Fred, has done very well at this level before but on the evidence of his first outing last week, it will take him some time yet before he can fullfil his potential in these new surroundings.

Pick: Melbourne -0.25
Wellington 2 - 1 Melbourne