A-League quick picks. Due to time constraints, FULL pre-round analysis will not be available.Saturday, 13 December
Wellington Phoenix v Perth Glory
Summary: An important clash beckons with Wellington and Perth both chasing a top four berth with 7 games of the regular season remaining. Wellington have made great strides in the last month with 3 wins from 4, launching them to 6th position and on the door step of finals football. It will be interesting to see how they react though, following their heavy 6-1 defeat away to Adelaide. In total contrast, Perth had a fine 3-1 victory over league leaders Melbourne and can look ahead to this fixture with some confidence, despite having lost all 6 games on their travels. For the home side, Fred is ruled out for personal reasons, while first choice keeper Mark Paston sits out with a rib injury. Perth will miss out on the services of captain Jamie Coyne but regain the attacking prowess of spearhead Nikita Rukavytsya.
Verdict: If ever there was a 6-point game for Perth Glory, then this would be it. Defeat here and Perth could be looking at a 5 point deficit behind the fourth placed team and an almost unsermountable task to make the finals, considering that they only have two home fixtures remaining. Wellington can jump into 3rd position with a win here, so the incentive for both sides is huge to say the least. Perth have been atrocious on their travels this season, with 0 points from a possible 18 and a goals/for record of 5-20. In contrast, Wellington have a 3-2-2 home record with the three wins coming in their last 4 home fixtures. Mark Paston is not a big loss for Wellington as back up keeper Glen Moss is more than capable. Fred is more of a loss for the home side and his position will be filled by utility, Troy Hearfield. Rukavytsya is a big inclusion for the visitors but Wellington have been solid at home, conceding only 3 goals in their last 5 so he is unlikely to get much change. Perth still have problems in defence with centre-back Dino Djulbic playing at left back and the inept youngster James Downey filling the right back role. Wellington have history on their side, have a solid home record, and a more balanced outfit than their visitors today.
Pick: Wellington -0.25
Wellington 1 - 1 Perth
Sunday, 14 December
Queensland Roar v Newcastle Jets
Summary: Finals contender Queensland meets bottom of the table Newcastle in a game where the home side can move up to 2nd position if they manage a winning margin of three or more goals. It's difficult to imagine that Newcastle are current A-League champions as they have been nothing short of abysmal this season. A combination of unwise pre-season dealings and injuries have given Newcasltle manager, Gary Van Egmond, no choice but to try and blood the youth and forge a better future for the club. With just 2 wins for the entire season and a current 6 game winless streak, the youngsters have had to learn the hard way and it won't get any easier against Queensland. Queensland are in solid form with 3 wins and 1 loss in their last 6 encounters. Newcastle can take some heart that Queensland have only won once at home and that history is on their side with an incredible 100% win record at Suncorp Stadium. For this encounter, Queensland miss out on their talisman and top goalscorer Charlie Miller but regain the services of forward Michael Zullo from illness. Newcastle will be boosted by the return of experienced heads Joel Griffiths and Mark Milligan.
Verdict: Newcastle lie in the depths of the A-League table with a mammoth 8pts away from the play-off positions with seven matches remaining. Queensland have all to play for and despite drawing their last two encounters away from home, they have a good opportunity to return to winning ways on the newly relayed Suncorp Stadium turf. Newcastle are in dissaray to say the least, on and off the field, with captain Jade North announcing this week that he will be leaving in January for Korea's K-League. Question marks also hang over the future of top scorer, Joel Griffith. This does not bode well at all for the away side and despite Queensland's poor home record this season, they are likely to take full advantage of the situation.
Pick: Queensland -0.25
Queensland 2 - 1 Newcastle
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