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Date/Time: 2012:10:12 12:34:45 Source:FOX SPORTS
Fox Sports football commentator Mel McLaughlin previews round 26 of the A-League season and gives you her tips for every game.
Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory, AAMI Park, Saturday 5:30 PM (EDT), FS1HD
RUN HOME:
Melbourne Victory - 3rd, 41pts, Perth (H), Phoenix (A)
Perth Glory - 8th, 28pts, Victory (A), Adelaide (H)
International Duty
Victory - Archie Thompson, Mark Milligan, Marco Rojas
Glory - Michael Thwaite, Shane Smeltz
On paper the Victory had no business taking a point against Sydney FC – if you look at the backline anyway, 17 year-old Dylan Murnane made his debut at left back to put a nice symmetry to the defence, Sam Galloway at right back is the same age, and captain Adrian Leijer was suspended. In fact they could have won, Marco Rojas and Archie Thompson uncharacteristically missing some gilt-edged chances in front of goal, Connor Pain as well.
The Big Blue was frantic, thrilling, edge-of-your-seat and end-to-end, the points probably justifiably shared but I'm sure I saw the two coaches age before my eyes.
The key attacking duo and Saturday's goal scorer Mark Milligan are all missing on international duty but Leijer returns from suspension, and Marcos Flores is back from injury. But will he be at his best? We haven't seen it yet in Victory colours but we know what he's capable of, and he'll have plenty of responsibility this weekend – Pain continues to impress in attack, if they click anything is possible.
Perth blew a big chance last week to already be sitting in the 6 – it's always the way – Wellington with nothing to lose travel over there, enjoy a few days in town then do the unthinkable, and beat last season's runners up and the team odds-on to win and continue their charge for the finals. That's football.
No Michael Thwaite in defence or Shane Smeltz up front are key losses and the suspension of Jacob Burns doesn't help – they only just got him back!
There's depth in the squad though and stability now at the top with the club announcing Alistair Edwards as head coach on a 3 year deal after a good start.
Travis Dodd is in line to slot in for Smeltz while Steve Pantelidis returns to replace Thwate, and you would think there would be enough experience in defence to deal with the youngsters the Victory will have up front. In theory, at least.
Can Ange Postecoglou ever be underestimated? Edwards faces another big challenge but having already picked up some points on the road the task won't seem out of reach – but they must remain positive after last weekend's damaging result. He says their strength is in attack, and they have to go for it.
I'm going out on a limb and tipping a desperate Glory, Victory are missing three of their finest.
Tip: Perth Glory
| P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | Western Sydney | 25 | 17 | 2 | 6 | 17 | 53 |
| 2 | Central Coast | 25 | 14 | 6 | 5 | 23 | 48 |
| 3 | Victory | 25 | 12 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 41 |
| 4 | Adelaide | 25 | 12 | 4 | 9 | 3 | 40 |
| 5 | Sydney | 25 | 9 | 4 | 12 | -8 | 31 |
| 6 | Newcastle | 26 | 8 | 7 | 11 | -12 | 31 |
| 7 | Brisbane | 25 | 8 | 5 | 12 | 0 | 29 |
| 8 | Perth | 25 | 8 | 4 | 13 | -3 | 28 |
| 9 | Heart | 25 | 8 | 3 | 14 | -6 | 27 |
| 10 | Wellington | 26 | 7 | 6 | 13 | -17 | 27 |
Western Sydney Wanderers v Sydney FC, Parramatta Stadium. 7:45 PM (EDT), FS1HD
RUN HOME:
Western Sydney - 1st, 52 pts, Sydney (H), Newcastle (A)
Sydney 5th - 31 pts, Western Sydney (A), Brisbane (A)
There are some big fixtures in all codes this weekend – but if you only watch one – it's this. Former Sky Blues now Western Sydney captain Michael Beauchamp has described it as "war", it's hard to tell who is more excited by this one, the players or the fans.
The final Sydney derby of the season, sold out in the blink of an eye, and it's in Wanderers' territory. The first time they met it was the Sky Blues who took the points, and that was expected. It was in Parramatta but there was a sea of Sky Blue shirts in the crowd. It's a very different story now, the Wanderers return home after achieving another milestone – an Australian football record of 10 straight wins, just unbelievable. And I daresay the ratio of red and black to blue will be very different. Should Western Sydney win, they'll lift the Premiers' Plate – a week before the regular season concludes, and against their fiercest rivals. A win for Sydney and they remain 5th regardless of how the other fixtures pan out and in a perfect position to stay in the 6 for the last round, and on to week one of the finals.
Tony Popovic must contend with the absence of Youssouf Hersi, Aaron Mooy and Jerome Polenz, all key players. He's proven in the past though he has the depth and publicly says he's unconcerned.
For Sydney, Terry McFlynn is again out injured but Lucas Neill is available, and Frank Farina must decide who lines up in defence after last week keeping the faith in the back four that kept a clean sheet against Central Coast, despite Fabio being available. It's likely the Socceroos captain will come in to partner Adam Griffiths in the centre of defence. On top of that, who will line up in goals? Vedran Janjetovic turned up late after being stuck in the infamous Sydney traffic, and as a result Ivan Necevski was given another chance, and he was outstanding against an at times relentless Victory attack. Farina says he'll decide when he's ready who's in.
They're one a piece, Western Sydney has been the better team this season, and Sydney FC have not been good away from home. However, they need this, and barring McFlynn are at full strength. Given who is out for the Wanderers it just may be the time to play them.
Tip: Sydney FC
Brisbane Roar v Melbourne Heart. Suncorp Stadium, Sunday 4:00 PM (EDT), FS1HD
Brisbane - 7th, 29pts, Heart (H), Sydney (H)
Heart - 9th, 27pts, Brisbane (A), Central Coast (A)
International Duty - Jade North
Brisbane are back home for their final two matches, two games left to sneak into the finals while Melbourne Heart go on the road for their last two, and you'd be living under a rock to not know that painful statistic – no wins outside of Victoria this season – in over a year in fact. They come up against a team that, although struggles away and has all but slipped out of contention from finals (I stand by last week's declaration that it's over for them), has soundly beaten them on their previous two occasions this season.
Up until Brisbane's visit to Gosford it looked like they might be back to their best, or close anyway, but the performance might have served more as a wake up call. Mike Mulvey said this week the absence of Socceroo Jade North was a big blow, but he's got a few options to partner James Donachie – Ivan Franjic could drop back again, regardless, the coach has defensive options. You'd expect Mitch Nichols will start, he's been one of the consistent positives off the bench recently and surely has earned it. They must react positively especially after going down at Bluetongue and missing a chance to push for the top 6. Brisbane and Perth really helped Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets last week.
Whilst the Big Blue will attract the big headlines, this match could feature the highest quality football, if both are at their best. Melbourne Heart are again without key men and the suspension of Simon Colosimo doesn't help. Last week against the Wanderers they were restricted to just 6 shots in the match. If they lose, they are definitely out. A promising start this season, but things have slowly unraveled.
In the visitors' favour though is the fact they've beaten Brisbane on their last two occasions (regardless of having fewer shots and less of the ball) and in fact are unbeaten from their past 5 encounters.
Regardless, Brisbane has been the better team in recent times and must click in the final third. I expect it to happen on their 100th match at Suncorp.
Tip: Brisbane
Adelaide United v Central Coast Mariners, Hindmarsh Stadium, Sunday 6:30PM (EDT), FS1HD
Adelaide - 4th, 40pts, Mariners (H), Perth
Central Coast - 2nd, 48pts, Adelaide (H), Heart (H)
International Duty - Eugene Galekovic, Mat Ryan, Michael McGlinchey
A top four battle with both goalkeepers missing to the Green and Gold – allowing 18 year old Paul Izzo his third chance in front of goal, while for the Mariners it's Justin Pasfield who'll again wear the gloves.
The Reds are back home and coming off a draw – Michael Valkanis admitted before kick off last week that internally they were still eyeing off 2nd spot, but that's off the table now and it's all about building confidence and momentum heading into the finals, and perhaps snatch 3rd spot along the way.
Central Coast finally got back in the winners' circle, and it was comprehensive against big rivals Brisbane Roar, important for many reasons – the points, confidence and proving a point to themselves after a string of losses.
Just a goal the difference, but it could have been more. Bernie Ibini continues to go from strength to strength and Daniel McBreen continues to search for that elusive 16th goal.
Some big players missing for both – not just to international duty but the injury to Marcelo Carrusca, one of Adelaide's best could prove damaging – importantly it's thought to be just a week out for the Argentine though.
A plus in Bruce Djite's name listed on the "ins" list this week – in fact Valkanis said last week he could have played. For the Mariners, regular right back Pedj Bojic is set to return from injury.
Central Coast will have to put the off-field financial dramas of the week aside. Between these issues that rear their ugly head from time to time, plus the heavy workload of A-League and Asian Champions League at this stage of the season the last few years, you can never accuse this club of doing things the easy way.
Head to head it's the away team with a huge advantage, in fact Adelaide have only beaten Central Coast twice in their last 16 attempts, and the visitors have won the last 7 encounters. Interestingly Graham Arnold's team has come from behind to win 3 of the past 4 matches as well. I'm providing these stats to confusingly tip a draw. Some key players missing – McGlinchey a big one, and the Reds have to show some fight at this stage of the season.
Tip: Draw
Wellington Phoenix 2, Newcastle Jets 1 *match completed
Wellington - 10th, 27pts, Victory (A)
Newcastle - 6th, 31pts, Wanderers (A)
Watch every game of round 26 of the A-League, Live and Exclusive, and in stunning High Definition, on Fox Sports.
