A-League Round 15 (19-24/11)

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



Friday, November 19

Melbourne Heart v Adelaide United

Verdict: Fith meets second as Melbourne Heart look to get back to winning ways after going down to first-placed Brisbane Roar on Sunday. Despite losing 1-2, it was a brave performance by Melbourne after deservedly taking a 1-0 lead in a very good first half performance before tiring in the second term. Adelaide United's poor recent form continued as they lost 3-1 to an improving Newcastle Jets outfit.

These sides seem to be going in opposite directions as Melbourne Heart has lost only once in their last 7 encounters whereas the Reds have lost three of their last 4. After been the dominant side very early in the season, injuries have distrupted Adelaide United's rhythym. With star striker Matthew Leckie a long term absentee, and key midfielder Paul Reid sitting this game out through suspension, the visitors will find it tough against a fast improving Melbourne Heart.

Pick: Melbourne Heart -0.25ah @2.16 (ibcbet, 10 units)
Melbourne 0 - 2 Adelaide United


Saturday, November 20

Newcastle Jets v Wellington Phoenix

Verdict: The resurgent Newcastle Jets will look to draw level with Wellington, on 15pts, when they do battle at the Energy Australia Stadium. Within the last 5 days, Newcastle has played the top two teams in the league, Adelaide United and Brisbane Roar, and literally played them off the park. The Jets defeated Adelaide United 3-1 on Saturday and were held 1-1 by Brisbane dispite dominating for the majority of the game. Wellington has lost four of their last six games and conceded 15 goals in the process. Their proud home record of 28 games unbeaten has also diminished in the last month, with two heavy home losses to Brisbane (1-4) and last week to Central Coast (0-3).

Newcastle will be playing their third game within a week in addition to missing the suspended, Milicevic and Zadkovic. Wellington has won only one game on their travels this season, a fortunate 0-1 win at struggling Perth. Dispite the heavy workload, Newcastle has a youthful squad who are playing at the best of their abilities at the moment. In contrast, Wellington is a team on the slide and will find it tough to deal with the pace and movement of the Jets, especially the front trio of Jesic, Jeffers, and Abbas.

Pick: Newcastle Jets -0.5ah @2.17 (ibcbet, 10 units)
Newcastle 1 - 0 Wellington Phoenix


Sunday, 21 November

Sydney FC v Perth Glory

Verdict: Sydney will look to get themselves off the bottom of the table over fellow strugglers Perth Glory. The Sky Blues trail Perth by 4pts but have two games in hand on their counterparts. Last weekend, the Glory broke a 10-game winless streak after defeating Melbourne Victory 3-1, thanks to a Robbie Fowler hat-trick. In contrast, Sydney FC had a 3-game undefeated run broken when they went down at Gold Coast by a 3-1 scoreline.

Perth are decimated by injury and suspension for this game, with centre-backs Jamie Harnwell and Andy Todd major doubts with calf and hip complaints respectively, while wing-back Scott Neville serves a suspension. Sydney are without long-term absentee, Nick Carle, but are at full strength otherwise. Both sides are in relatively good form at the moment. Three points is an absolute must for both sides so we should see alot of attacking intent. Perth has the worst defensive record in the league so having three first choice defenders out of your team doesn't bode well for the visitors.

Picks:
Sydney FC -0.5ah @1.93 (ibcbet, 10 units)
Sydney FC 2 - 0 Perth Glory
Over 2.25 goals @1.96 (ibcbet, 10 units)
Sydney FC 2 - 0 Perth Glory


Central Coast Mariners v Gold Coast United

Pick: Gold Coast United dnb @2.29 (ibcbet, 10 units)
Central Coast 2 - 3 Gold Coast United


Wednesday, November 24

Newcastle Jets v Central Coast Mariners

Verdict: Both teams go into the ‘F3’ derby in good form as the Jets are currently on a run of three without defeat while Central Coast just had their four game undefeated streak snapped on the weekend. Newcastle notched up their second win in three games with a hard earned 1-0 win over Wellington Phoenix. A day later, Central Coast dominated the first half against the Gold Coast United with the latter seemingly content to bide their time and run over a tiring home side in the second half. This tactic seemed to work as Central Coast wilted in the hot, afternoon sun, and consequently lost the game 2-3.

All the momentum is with the home team going into this game with on-field performances on the up, in addition to growing crowd attendances and recent financial boosts from new owner, Nathan Tinkler. In further good news for the Jets, captain Ljubo Milicevic and the energetic Ruben Zadkovic return from suspension while Jets’ player of the season, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, is passed fit for this game.

Pick: Newcastle Jets dnb @1.88 (ibcbet, 10 units)
Newcastle Jets 1 - 1 Central Coast


Brisbane Roar v Perth Glory

Verdict: Brisbane will aim to get back to winning ways after two consecutive 1-1 draws against Newcastle and North Queensland. Perth looked to be heading for a scoreless at fellow strugglers Sydney before conceding twice in 5 minutes to eventually lose 2-0.

Brisbane struggled against well rested, bottom side North Queensland on Saturday evening. While Brisbane was playing their third game in a week, North Queensland was coming off a 10-day break which they ultimately used to their advantage. Brisbane were unable to employ their accurate, short passing game as the athletic Fury team pressed high up the park. This evening will be a different matter as Perth does not have the athletic capacity to press like the Fury. In addition, the visitors are backing up just three days after their mid-afternoon encounter in Sydney. Brisbane is by far the better team and I fully expect them to extend the 12-game unbeaten and collect another three points in the process.

Pick: Brisbane Roar -1ah @1.88 (ibcbet, 10 units)
Brisbane Roar 3 - 2 Perth Glory