A-League Round 1 (5-8/08)

Melbourne Heart v Central Coast
Adelaide United v Newcastle Jets
Perth Glory v Nth Queensland
Sydney v Melbourne Victory
Gold Coast Utd v Brisbane Roar


Thursday, August 5

Melbourne Heart v Central Coast

Verdict: New club, Melbourne Heart, will be making their first appearance in the A-League in their state of the art complex, AAMI Stadium. Melbourne is led by former Dutch international and Ajax manager, John van’t Schip. The Dutchman has made some impressive signings such as Gerald Sibon (scored 11 goals in the Dutch Eredivisie last season with Heerenven), current Australian international Beauchamp, and former Socceroos in Josip Skoko, John Aloisi, and Simon Colosimo.
Central Coast are a club in transition with former Australia international assistant, Graham Arnold, taking over the reigns. The team is blessed with some young talent and flair, notably Argentine Patricio Perez, but I feel they lack options in attack and their back line is some what suspect. I expect a tight game but I feel Melbourne have the experience and that extra bit of motivation to take all three points.

UPDATE: Rose and Perez omitted from Central Coast. Perez is Central Coast’s main creative outlet.

Pick: Melbourne -0.25AH @2.06 (sbobet, 10 units)
Melbourne 0 - 1 Central Coast

Friday, August 6
Adelaide United v Newcastle Jets

Pick: Newcastle Jets +0.5AH @1.79 (188bet, 10 units)
Adelaide United 0 - 0 Newcastle

Perth Glory v North Queensland

Pick: Perth 1x2 @1.71 (188bet, 10 units)
Perth 3 - 3 Nth Queensland


Saturday, August 7
Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory

Pick: Sydney -0.25AH @1.86 (188bet, 10 units)
Sydney 3 - 3 Melbourne


Sunday, August 8
Gold Coast United v Brisbane Roar

Picks:
Brisbane Roar +0.5AH @2.12 (188bet, 10 units)
Gold Coast Utd 0 - 0 Brisbane
Over 2.25 goals @1.88 (sbobet, 10 units)
Gold Coast Utd 0 - 0 Brisbane