A-League Round 22 (9/01 to 13/01)

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


Sunday, January 10

Newcastle Jets v Melbourne Victory
Team news: Newcastle Jets - Bridges (IN) -- Melbourne Victory - Hernandez (IN), Broxham (IN), Angulo (IN)

Verdict: Both sides will look to get back to winning ways after suffering surprise defeats in Round 20. Newcastle's impressive 4 game winning streak came to an abrupt end with a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Perth Glory whereas a Melbourne team without their injured midfield maestro, Carlos Hernandez, succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at North Queensland.

Despite their good form, Newcastle are worryingly conceding alot of goals, 8 in fact in their last three matches. Michael Bridges is expected to return for the home side but his influence will be questionable following a month without any competitive football. Melbourne has arguably the most feared strike force in the league, a weapon that has further been bolstered with the FIFA clearance of twice capped Costa Rican forward, Marvin Angulo. Angulo is expected to make his full debut, joining the returning Hernandez (from injury) and Broxham (from suspension) into the visitors' first 11. The inclusion of young keeper, Mitch Langerak, seems to have solved Melbourne's early-season defensive problems, conceding only twice in their last 6 encounters. The visitors seem to have everything going for them, and in my opinion deserve the favourite tag for this encounter.

Pick: Melbourne -0.25AH @2.17 (sbobet, 5 units)
Newcastle Jets 3 - 2 Melbourne Victory

Perth Glory v Sydney FC
Team news: Perth Glory - Jelic (IN) -- Sydney FC - Colosimo (susp.)

Verdict: Perth aim to resume their impressive home record (5-3-1) in a fixture that has historically proven fruitful for the Westerners. Perth have come on top on 4 of the last 5 occasions against Sydney FC, the most recent been a 2-0 win back in November of last year. In Round 20, Perth enjoyed their biggest win of the season, thumping an in form Newcastle Jets 4-0 to get their noses in the play-off spots with 7 games of the season remaining. League leader, Sydney FC, moved clear at the top of the table with a 1-0 home win over bottom club, Adelaide United.

Despite their lofty perch at the top of the table, Sydney FC's away form (3-2-5) can be considered average. Perth are a very physical side and their direct style of play seems to get under the skin of the Sky Blues (and most other teams), especially at the Medibank Stadium. Sydney FC manager, Vitezslav Lavicka, will be forced to rejig his backline with the absence of key central defender Simon Colosimo. I expect the visitors' defence to come under alot of pressure with plentiful crosses aimed at Perth strikers, Harnwell and the returning Jelic. Sydney FC do have the best defensive record in the league but with Seb Ryall coming in to partner Keller in central defence, there could be some teething problems here which will be magnified by the expected aerial bombardment.
In addition, Perth have 4 home games remaining till the end of the season and with their poor away record, they will be extremely motivated to make the most of all their fixtures at The Medibank.

Pick: Perth +0.25AH @1.86 (sbobet, 5 units)
Perth 0 - 0 Sydney FC

Wednesday, January 13

Gold Coast United v Newcastle Jets

Verdict: 3rd v 4th meet in a key game for both teams as they go in search of a top 2 spot that will guarantee a second chance in the final play-offs. Newcastle Jets are the most in-form team in the competition with 5 wins from their last 6, following their 3-2 defeat of Melbourne 3 days ago. Gold Coast United have lost just once in their last 5 but were fortunate to come away with a 1-1 draw against bottom team, Adelaide United, in their last encounter.

Newcastle Jets hold the upper hand in terms of h2h encounters, winning both but it is important to add that these were in Newcastle. Gold Coast have only lost twice at home this season whereas the Jets have only won twice on their travels. Worryingly for Newcastle, they have conceded 10 goals in their last 4 encounters, including a 4-0 loss to Perth on their last away game. Gold Coast have been very solid at Skilled Stadium in the last few months, conceding only 3 goals in 5 encounters on their home pitch. Add to this the revenge factor and the extra one day rest for Gold Coast - it brings me to the conclusion to back the home team.

Pick: Gold Coast United -0.25AH @1.70 (sbobet, 7 units)
Gold Coast United 2 - 0 Newcastle Jets