Week 8 Preview
The Hyundai A-League has certainly lived up to the expectations of fans so far this season with this year’s competition on track for the most goals ever scored collectively in a single A-League season. This weekend’s clashes will see the likes of Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory attempt to continue their good run of form while other teams will be looking to salvage some pride and fight for a place in the top four.
Week 8 will kick off on Friday night with Central Coast Mariners doing battle against an inconsistent Perth Glory outfit who are coming off a strong 3-1 victory against last placed Adelaide United. Furthermore, Western Sydney Wanderers are still searching for their first win at home and will hope to put in a strong showing against Brisbane Roar who managed a 1 all draw against Sydney FC.
Melbourne Victory will be looking to make it back-to-back victories when they host Newcastle Jets at AAMI Park, whilst competition leaders Sydney FC will look to get back to their winning ways when they taking on last-placed Adelaide United who are still winless this season.
Week 8 of the competition will finish back at AAMI Park on Sunday afternoon when Melbourne City take on Wellington Phoenix. The home side had to settle for a 1 all draw against Western Sydney Wanderers despite leading for most of the second half.
Central Coast Mariners vs. Perth Glory
Thursday 24 November 7.50pm LOCAL
Central Coast Stadium
Central Coast Mariners are certainly struggling for form and could only manage a 1 all draw against Newcastle Jets last weekend. They sit second last on the competition ladder and have conceded 13 goals this year whilst also failing to keep a clean sheet. They will be looking for their first win at home since Round 13 last year, having lost seven games and drawn twice since then.
After coming off a 4-1 thrashing to Sydney FC two weeks ago, Perth Glory put in the perfect response after beating competition cellar dwellers Adelaide United on Friday night. Andy Keogh delivered once again with a second half brace to inspire his team’s win, and now sits equal first in the competition with seven goals this season.
Perth Glory are definitely struggling to find some consistency this season despite putting in some strong showings throughout their first seven fixtures. They come up against a struggling Mariners outfit and should run away with a strong victory.
Tip: Mariners 0 Glory 2
Best bet: Perth Glory win ($1.90)
Did you know? Perth Glory has won five of their last eight Hyundai A-League games against the Mariners, though they haven’t won in Gosford since November 2014.
Western Sydney Wanderers vs. Brisbane Roar
Friday 25 November 7.50pm LOCAL
Spotless Stadium
Western Sydney Wanderers managed to salvage a draw late in the contest against Melbourne City FC last weekend despite being behind for a majority of the second half. Despite their signs of perseverance, they have still failed to record a victory since Week 2 this year and boast the worst defensive record in the competition with a total of 14 goals conceded (equal with Perth).
Brisbane Roar are proving to be a lethal force this season after drawing with ladder leaders Sydney FC and climbing to second place on the competition ladder. They haven’t lost in five fixtures, but have drawn their past two and will be looking to get back into the winners circle this weekend away from home.
Wanderers have been inconsistent in their performances so far this season and haven’t won at home this year. It will be a tough task coming up against an Brisbane Roar and may struggle to record a much needed victory.
Tip: Wanderers 0 Roar 1
Best bet: Game total under 2.5 ($2.10)
Did you know? There have been 26 goals scored in the last five Hyundai A-League games between these teams, including a nine-goal thriller in the 2015/16 Finals Series.
Melbourne Victory vs. Newcastle Jets
Saturday 26 November 5.35pm LOCAL
AAMI Park
With a week off as a result of their match being postponed last weekend, Melbourne Victory will be fit and firing ahead of their clash against Newcastle Jets on Saturday night. They have drawn four times in their last eight fixtures against Newcastle, but will be looking to continue their run of form that has seen them won three of their last four games this year.
Newcastle Jets will travel to Melbourne after coming off a 1 all draw with Central Coast on Sunday evening. They had 20 shots on goal last weekend which is the most in a single game of any team this season, but lacked the firepower to convert their chances despite a host of opportunities. Andrew Hoole leads the competition with 19 chances created, whilst also sitting second in assists with three to his name.
Newcastle haven’t won since Week Two of the season with three losses in five games, and are up against a well rested Victory outfit who will be looking for their fourth win in five games. I’m tipping another strong win for the home side.
Tip: Victory 3 Jets 1
Best bet: Melbourne Victory handicap -1.0 ($2.35)
Did you know? The last time either team managed to score more than a single goal in this Hyundai A-League fixture was in November 2014, a 2-2 draw.
Sydney FC vs. Adelaide United
Saturday 26 November 7.50pm LOCAL
Allianz Stadium
Sydney FC’s winning streak of six was cut short last week but still remain undefeated as they were held to a 1 all draw against Brisbane Roar. They still boast the best attacking (18 goals) and defensive record (3 goals) of any team in the competition this year, but have lost four of their last six games against the reigning premiers.
Things keep getting worst for last years champions with Adelaide United losing 3-1 to Perth Glory last weekend, and still winless in the 2016/17 season. With six defeats already this year, they are desperately searching for a much needed victory but are in grave danger of another loss with Sydney sitting well clear at the top of the competition.
Sydney may have failed to record the win last week, however you can expect a strong response from the ladder leaders up against a team struggling form. Sydney to win convincingly.
Tip: Sydney FC 4 Adelaide United 1
Best bet: Filip Holosko anytime goal scorer ($2.30)
Did you know? United has kept a clean sheet in each of their last four regular-season Hyundai A-League games in Sydney against the Sky Blues, outscoring them 9-0 in those games.
Melbourne City FC vs. Wellington Pheonix
Sunday 27 November 5.00pm LOCAL
AAMI Park
Melbourne City FC will be looking to fire in their second match against Wellington Phoenix this year after coming off a 1 all draw against the Wanderers on Friday night. They have won four of their last five games against Wellington Phoenix having kept a clean sheet in their last two fixtures, and will be looking to hold onto fourth spot with Perth Glory right on their tails and equal in points (10).
Wellington Phoenix were in good form prior to their postponed game last weekend, with back-to-back wins giving them the confidence boost they needed to get their season back on track. They will be looking for a strong start again this Sunday, with Phoenix one of two teams who are yet to concede a goal in the opening 15 minutes of a game in this Hyundai A-League season.
Melbourne City can take confidence in knowing their form against their opposition in recent times, but despite the poor form of Phoenix when traveling to Victoria I can sense a strong performance from the away side who have been much improved in their recent fixtures.
Tip: Melbourne City FC 1 Wellington Phoenix 1
Best bet: Draw or Wellington Phoenix ($2.60)
Did you know? Wellington Phoenix have won their last two Hyundai A-League games keeping a clean sheet each time. The last time they won more games in a row was a four-game winning streak in March 2015.
