Brisbane Roar v Melbourne Heart Adelaide United v Central Coast
Perth Glory v Sydney FC
Wellington Phoenix v Newcastle Jets
Melbourne Victory v Gold Coast United
Melbourne Victory v Newcastle Jets
Gold Coast United v Adelaide United
Saturday, January 29
Brisbane Roar v Melbourne Heart
Verdict: Three days after equalling the Australian club record of 22 games undefeated, in the 2-0 win over Wellington, Brisbane tackle a hungry and in form Melbourne Heart side. Heart is currently on a six game undefeated streak following the 2-2 Melbourne derby draw last weekend. Their aspirations of featuring in the finals though are hanging by a thread despite sitting in the sixth and final play-off spot. Teams behind them in Wellington and Newcastle have the advantage of games in hand (one and two respectively) so their destiny is currently out of their hands.
Following their two week break, I expected a better performance from Brisbane against a tired and poor travelling Wellington Phoenix. Two late goals from youngster, James Meyer, saved their blushes in an outing that can be best described as clinical. Melbourne Heart will be a different proposition, undefeated in their last 4 games on the road, a full week's rest, and eager to let out their frustrations from last week's episodes in the derby. On Wednesday, Brisbane found it tough to get to grips with the bad surface of their adopted ground, Skilled Stadium, so it should form as an equalizer between the sides in what is likely to be a closely fought match. Brisbane manager, Ange Postecoglou, will also need to re-shuffle his backline as centre-back, Luke De Vere, left for the K-League midweek. Reserve right-back, Milan Susak, will fill the void while club captain, Matt McKay, is still away on national duty at the Asian Cup.
Pick: Melbourne +1ah @2.04 (ibcbet, 5 units)
Brisbane Roar 2 - 1 Melbourne Heart
Sunday, January 30
Wellington Phoenix v Newcastle Jets
Verdict: Seventh meets eighth as both these sides still have a lot to play for with finals football looming. Wellington return back to home comforts following their luckless 2-0 loss at league leaders Brisbane midweek. The New Zealand side though does boast one of the best home records in the league (8-3-2) so will be confident in further improving a current home winning streak of four games. The Jets' season looks to be unraveling with injuries and off-field dramas unsettling the south-east side. In what was their 5th defeat in their last 7 outings, Newcastle suffered a 5-1 reverse at the hands of Gold Coast United on Saturday.
Newcastle hope for the return of first choice left-back, Adam D'Apuzzo, and midfielder, Ruben Zadkovich, both rated as 50/50. They are still missing the nucleus of the team that is central midfielder, Kasey Wehrman, in addition to experienced man Ljubo Milicevic who unexpectedly ended his contract a couple of weeks ago. At least 5 first choice players are out for the visitors. Wellington did well midweek considering they had one eye on this particular fixture. Wellington manager, Ricki Herbert, chose to rest key-men in Ward and Rojas while form-striker Dylan Macallister played only 55 minutes. These teams met at this venue six weeks ago when Wellington were comprehensive 4-0 winners. I wouldn't be surprised if we see a similar score line this time round.
Pick: Wellington -0.75ah @1.88 (ibcbet,10 units)
Wellington 1 - 0 Newcastle Jets
Melbourne Victory v Gold Coast United
Verdict: A depleted Melbourne Victory tackle a Gold Coast United side that has scored almost a third of their goals in their last three encounters (10), thanks to the introduction of striker Shane Smeltz in the January transfer window. Smeltz has struck up an instant understanding with fellow striker Bruce Djite, both combining to score 8 goals since the turn of the year. The emphatic 5-1 home win against Newcastle was Gold Coast's biggest of the season, whereas Melbourne were also victorious midweek with a 0-3 win at bottom club North Queensland.
Despite the emphatic score line, Melbourne were anything but convincing in the hot and humid conditions in Townsville. Two late Dugandzic goals from defensive errors put a gloss on the result. Injuries and suspensions look set to derail Victory's march to the finals play-off with captain Kevin Muscat suspended for 8 matches due to his rash challenge in last week's Melbourne derby. The unavailability of first choice strikers in Thompson and Kruse, right full-back Surat Sukha, and doubts over left full-back Kemp and central midfielder Billy Celeski has left the two-time A-League champions down to the bare bones. In contrast, Gold Coast United are at full-strength (except for Culina, inj/int.duty) as they look to secure a top two finish. Temperatures of up to 40 degrees (Celsius) are expected on Sunday so Gold Coast's advantage of an eight day break will count for something. In addition, Gold Coast are undefeated in their two prior trips to Melbourne this season (0-1 win against Victory, 1-1 against Melbourne Heart) so this match will hold no fears for the visitors.
Pick: Gold Coast United dnb @2.08 (ibcbet, 10 units)
Melbourne Victory 2 - 0 Gold Coast United
Wednesday, February 2
Melbourne Victory v Newcastle Jets
Verdict: Melbourne all but cemented their place in the finals play-offs with a 2-0 win over Gold Coast United on Sunday. A two-goal brace by in form striker, Danny Allsopp, was enough to see off the visitors in very warm conditions. Newcastle's poor form continued at Wellington with a 1-0 defeat on Sunday, stretching their losing streak to three games. The Jets are currently in 8th position, 4pts outside the top six with games in hand on their rivals.
If Newcastle weren't so decimated by injuries and suspension then I would of given them a realistic chance of making the six. The sending off of striker, Ryan Griffiths, on the weekend just made a depleted squad even more anemic with no less than four key players absent. Melbourne are not with out their selection concerns with star midfielder, Carlos Hernandez, out of this match with a groin strain. His place will be vacated by fellow Costa Rican, Marvin Angulo, while fellow striker Robbie Kruse returns from his exertions at the Asian Cup. The partnership of Kruse and Allsopp will be something to behold and is likely to be too much for a Newcastle Jets side in free fall.
Pick: Melbourne Victory -1ah @1.93 (sbobet, 10 units)
Melbourne Victory 2 - 0 Newcastle Jets
Gold Coast United v Adelaide United
Verdict: Fourth meets third with both sides already cementing a place in the finals play-offs. There is though plenty to play for as Gold Coast look to secure a top four spot that will ensure a home final while Adelaide United are aiming for a top two position that will gift them a double chance. Both sides will look to rebound following respective losses with Gold Coast going down at Melbourne Victory 2-0, while Adelaide United were defeated by in form Central Coast 1-2.
Gold Coast's defeat in Melbourne came at a more hefty price than just losing the three points with form players, Bas Van der Brink and wing-back Adama Traore, both suffering injuries. With key midfielder, Jason Culina, already out through injury and fellow midfielder, Zenon Caravella, out of favor due to contractual disagreements (moving to Adelaide United next season), the Queensland side is looking bereft of quality. In total contrast, Adelaide United are boosted by new signings Andy Slory (formerly from Feyenoord), former Croatia U21 international Dario Bodrusic, and ex-North Queensland midfielder, Osama Malik. Gold Coast's only recent wins in the last two months has come against poor sides Newcastle Jets and North Queensland. I feel they will need to raise their recent form by at least 50% to give a full-strength Adelaide United side a good game but with so many absentees, it's going to be tough.
Pick: Adelaide United +0.25ah @1.92 (188bet, 10 units)
Gold Coast United 0 - 0 Adelaide United
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