Wellington Phoenix v North Queensland Adelaide United v Central Coast
Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory
Brisbane Roar v Newcastle Jets
Sydney FC v Gold Coast United
Friday, January 15
Wellington Phoenix v North Queensland Fury
Team news: Wellington - Greenacre (IN), Daniel (IN) -- North Queensland - Middleby (OUT), McBreen (released), Downey (IN)
Verdict: Wellington will aim to cement their spot in the top six when they host the North Queensland Fury to fortress Westpac Stadium. Wellington have not lost at this venue since October 2008 - their only home loss this season came at Palmerston North. Their good home form continued in Round 21, overcoming Brisbane Roar 3-1 with new boy, Eugene Dadi, scoring two goals including a spectacular scissor kick. North Queensland have improved since the early stages of the season but their away record of 2-5-5 and -14 GD is rather worrying. They do though go into this game in some good form following a 1-0 win over title contenders Melbourne Victory and a 1-1 draw away to Central Coast.
These sides have met twice this season with both games finishing in 1-1 draws. During that period, Wellington were in the middle of an 8 game winless streak, but they will definitely be a different proposition for the Fury this time round. Since then, Wellington have developed a ruthless streak in front of goal, scoring at an average of 2.3 goals at the Westpac. With the recent addition of Dadi and the return of Greenacre from injury, Wellington's forward ranks are stronger than ever.
Apart from their 1-1 draw at an out of form Central Coast, North Queensland have been nothing short of dismal on their travels. The Fury have conceded 12 goals in their last 5 away games. Their recent form though should give them some heart and if they can feed in-form striker Dyron Daal (3 goals in last 3 games) and Robbie Fowler, they are every chance at an upset.
I think we will see goals here as both teams are in good recent form so they should approach this game in a confident frame of mind. Recent statistics also point to alot of goals.
Pick: Over 2.25 goals @1.89 (pinnacle, 6 units)
Wellington Phoenix 3 - 0 North Queensland Roar
Adelaide United v Central Coast Mariners
Team news: Adelaide United - Fyfe (50/50) -- Central Coast - Travis (OUT)
Verdict: With a quarter of the season remaining, it's desperation time for both these sides. Adelaide United lie in bottom place, 3pts behind Central Coast but with a game in hand. In Round 21, Adelaide United outplayed 2nd placed Gold Coast United, at Skilled Stadium, with only a 1-1 draw to show for their efforts. On a positive note, captain Travis Dodd scored a goal and displayed some of the form that has given him a reputation as one of the best players in the league. Central Coast achieved an identical result against fellow strugglers North Queensland, despite dominating for large parts of the first half.
Adelaide United have three home games remaining till the end of the season, including a midweek fixture against Perth Glory in 4 days time. These next few games will most likely determine if they will take part in play-offs football. The good news is that the Reds have shown shoots of recovery in the last month, losing once in their last 4 games, and that was 1-0 to league leaders Sydney FC. In contrast, Central Coast are winless in 7 with a goals for/against record of 4-12. Players such as McGlinchey, Kwasnik and Simon are struggling for form which has forced manager, Laurie McKinna, to play defenders Porter and Heffernan in midfield.
Favour the home team to get a much needed win here as form and that extra bit of motivation is on their side.
Pick: Adelaide United -0.25AH @2.14 (188bet, 8 units)
Adelaide United 1 - 1 Central Coast Mariners
Saturday, January 16
Brisbane Roar v Newcastle Jets
Team news: Brisbane Roar - Collen (IN), Packer (IN), Dodd (OUT), McCloughan (50/50), Ham (IN) -- Newcastle Jets - Kantarovski (IN), Patafta (IN), Rooney (doubtful), Young (doubtful)
Verdict: The Newcastle Jets will play their third game in 7 days as they travel to Brisbane, looking to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat at Gold Coast United. A porous Brisbane on the other hand will aim to plug their defence and in turn get back to winning ways after consecutive losses to Gold Coast United (5-1) and Wellington Phoenix (3-1). Brisbane have shipped in 10 goals in their last 3 competitve encounters. Newcastle have not fared any better, conceding 12 in their last 5.
Brisbane sit one point and two positions outside the top 6 so with only two home games remaining, they must make the most of their home comforts. The Newcastle Jets looked tired against the Gold Coast which can probably be attributed to the fact that 3 days earlier, they played more than half the match with ten men under the scorching sun in their 3-2 win over Melbourne. I'm sure Newcastle will appreciate the late kick-off here as the temperatures will be alot cooler than the 31 degrees predicted for the afternoon. Both sides are likely to play without their first-choice keepers as Matt Ham will make his A-League debut for Brisbane whereas Jets keeper Young may miss out with a broken nose.
Keeping in mind the poor defensive records of both teams, the keeper changes, and the attacking talent available it is highly likely that we will see lots of goals here.
Pick: Over 2.25 goals @1.80 (sbobet, 7 units)
Brisbane 0 - 2 Newcastle Jets
Sunday, January 17
Sydney FC v Gold Coast United
Team news: Sydney FC - Colosimo (IN), Brosque (IN) -- Gold Coast United - Pantelidis (IN), Barisic (IN)
Verdict: 1st v 3rd face off here as Sydney FC look to avenge their two earlier defeats to Gold Coast, both away at Skilled Stadium. Sydney FC are the form team of the competition. They are undefeated in their last 6 games and most impressivily, have not conceded in over 450 minutes of football. In their last game, they dissapointly drew 0-0 at Perth but their home form of 9-0-2 is in complete contrast to their away form. Gold Coast United were too much for a tired looking Newcastle United midweek, winning 2-0 despite suffering some scary moments late in the second half. Their away form is average, conceding a whopping 21 goals with a record of 3-2-5.
Sydney FC can go a long way in cementing their position in the top 2 with a win here. Gold Coast United are simply not the same team on their travels and must back up here just 4 days after playing Newcastle Jets. Sydney retain the services of their top marksman Brosque and captain Simo Colosimo so the Sky Blues are at full strength here.
Pick: Sydney FC -0.25AH @1.80 (stanjames, 8 units)
Sydney FC 0 - 1 Gold Coast United
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