Wellington Phoenix v North QueenslandAdelaide United v Perth Glory
Brisbane Roar v Melbourne Heart
Newcastle Jets v Melbourne Victory
Sydney FC v Gold Coast United
Sydney FC v North Queensland
Friday, September 24
Adelaide United v Perth Glory
Verdict: Just 4pts seperates these sides at the top of the table as Adelaide remain atop, and undefeated, while Perth can thank their home form for their current position of third. Perth is in somewhat of a bad run at the moment with two losses on the trot, to the Gold Coast and at Newcastle Jets last week. Adelaide continued their undefeated streak with a 1-1 draw against the tough Brisbane Roar.
The standings can be deceiving as I believe that more than just 4pts seperates these sides. Perth have been especially poor on their travels this season and now must travel to a side that has scored 12 goals in their last 5 games. There is also good news for Adelaide United as star striker, Matthew Leckie, has been given permission to leave Australian U21 duty (temporarily) to take part in this match.
Pick: Adelaide United -0.25AH@ 2.04 (188bet, 10 units)
Adelaide United 2 - 0 Perth Glory
Saturday, September 25
Brisbane Roar v Melbourne Heart
Verdict: Brisbane Roar's position of 9th on the A-League table is as false as they come. They are easily in the top 4 best teams in the league and have been defeated only once this season. In Round 7, the Roar drew with run away league leaders Adelaide United (1-1), meaning that they remain 9pts off the top. Visiting team, Melbourne Heart, are beginning to produce consistent performances in their home stadium but are still very erratic on their travels. Nonetheless, they got the job done last weekend at AAMI Stadium with a 2-1 win over a tired-looking Wellington Phoenix.
Brisbane has two games in hand on most other teams above them so will be looking to hang onto their coat tails with a win here. Melbourne Heart have selection issues with defenders Beauchamp and Hamill unavailable, whereas Hoffman and Babalj are on International duty. Add to this that Worm, Aloisi, and Skoko are not 100% match fit, and you get the feeling that Melbourne don't have the artilery to cause an upset here. Brisbane regain the services of first choice defender, De Vere, and forward Nichols so apart from Franjic and Henrique, the home side are at full strength.
Pick: Brisbane Roar -0.25AH @1.92 (pinnacle, 10 units)
Brisbane 4 - 0 Melbourne Heart
Sunday, September 26
Sydney FC v Gold Coast United
Verdict: Bottom team, Sydney FC, will look to return from their bye week with a win after drawing two, and losing four of their first six matches. Gold Coast United play their third game in a week after defeating the Newcastle Jets 1-0 midweek, and drawing 0-0 with Central Coast a week ago.
Sydney, last year's champions, have had a tough time this season with key members leaving the club and injuries putting them behind the 8-ball. The two week break though is just what they needed to get out of this bad run and give time to the injured to recuperate. Captain, Terry McFlynn, and key striker Alex Brosque return to boost Sydney FC's ranks. Gold Coast have played some good possession football this month but lack the killer instinct up front in the absence of striker Shane Smeltz (transfered to Genclerbirligi), and Joel Porter. Sydney are like a wounded animal at the moment and I expect them to be more motivated and fresher than the visitors who are on the back end of a quick succession of games.
Pick: Sydney FC -0.5AH @2.22 (188bet, 5 units)
Sydney FC 1 - 1 Gold Coast United
Wednesday, September 29
Sydney FC v North Queensland
Verdict: Winless Sydney FC will not get a better chance to break their duck this evening when they face second from bottom North Queensland. Sydney's dry spell was stretched to 7 games following their 1-1 draw against Gold Coast United on Sunday. North Queensland were beaten 2-1 at Wellington in windy conditions after a comical piece of goalkeeping by Justn Pastfield gifted the hosts an early lead.
Sydney should really have picked up 3pts against the Gold Coast after Bruno Cazarine gave them a 19th minute lead. The Sky Blues created and wasted numerous guilt-edged opportunities to be out of sight by half time. It was though an encouraging performance and the return of Brosque, Bridges, and McFlynn really made a big difference. North Queensland retain the services of Cernak and Payne for this game but lose captain, Ufuk Talay, due to suspension. Sydney are close to full-strength so I expect them to have too much for the visitors, who have the worst defensive record in the league, if they can replicate Sunday's performance. Sydney do also have a tough run of fixtures ahead so 3pts here is a must for the reigning champions.
Pick: Sydney FC -0.5AH @1.98 (188bet, 10 units)
Sydney FC 1 - 1 North Queensland
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