A-League Round 16 Preview
Hyundai A-League Round 16 Preview. It has been another brilliant Hyundai A-League Season to date and Week 16 promises to be another thrilling weekend of top flight Australian football. We are slowly making our way to the business end of the season, and it’s imperative for many teams to find maximum points soon if they want to play finals football.
Round 16 will kick off on Thursday night with Melbourne City hosting Central Coast Mariners, with City hoping to bounce back to form after some below par performances in recent weeks.
Sydney FC will face off against Adelaide United at Allianz Stadium on Friday night. The competition leaders will be looking for a much-improved performance against the defending premiers, who are coming off an upset victory over Melbourne City.
Wellington Phoenix will host Brisbane Roar in a blockbuster on Saturday afternoon, with a win from Phoenix potentially putting them above Roar on the ladder and into the top four. Saturday Night football will then travel back to Perth where the Glory will host Melbourne Victory in an attempt to continue their undefeated run.
Sunday afternoon will see Week 16 come to a close as Western Sydney Wanderers do battle against in form Newcastle Jets, with the away side looking to continue their good form and climb into the top six.
Melbourne City FC vs. Central Coast Mariners
AAMI Park
Thursday 19th January 7.50pm LOCAL
Melbourne City FC will be disappointed in their performances in recent weeks, recording just one victory in their past six fixtures. In those six games, they have conceded 10 goals, which is half of their season total.
This match up is the perfect opportunity for City to re-ignite their season, with the Mariners having not won a game since Week 8 of the competition and boast the worst defensive record in the competition (32 goals conceded).
It will take something special for the cellar dwellers to come away with the three points, with the Mariners having not won against City in their past four encounters.
Tip: Melbourne City 2 Central Coast 0
Best bet: Melbourne City FC -1.0 ($1.80)
Did you know? Central Coast Mariners have won each of their last two Hyundai A-League games played on a Thursday, outscoring their opponents 5-1 across those games.
Sydney FC vs. Adelaide United
Allianz Stadium
Friday 20th January 7.50pm LOCAL
It was a disappointing result for Sydney FC last weekend, flying high well above the Wanderers this year but only salvaging a nil-all draw. They have been rock solid defensively, however, with another three clean sheets in their past four games.
They face an Adelaide side that will be boosted by their upset win over Melbourne City last weekend, with the defending premiers also undefeated in their last five visits to Sydney.
The ladder leaders are heavily backed considering the contrast in form between the two sides this year, but after Adelaide’s strong win last week it could be a closer encounter than many people are expecting.
Tip: Sydney FC 2 Adelaide United 1
Best bet: Total points over 2.5 ($1.65)
Did you know? The Sky Blues have made 313 interceptions so far this Hyundai A-League campaign, the second-most of any team and 23 more than fourth-ranked Adelaide (290).
Wellington Phoenix vs. Brisbane Roar FC
Westpac Stadium
Saturday 21st January 735pm LOCAL
It has been a stunning return to form for Wellington Phoenix, after they recorded two victories in four days last weekend. They sent a “strong message of intent” after thumping in form Melbourne Victory 3-0 on Tuesday night, whilst also recording back-to-back victories.
Their opposition haven’t recorded a victory in Wellington in their last three encounters, and are coming off three successive losses and a massive dip in form.
Brisbane will want to return to their best this weekend, with a loss to Phoenix potentially putting them outside the top four.
Tip: Wellington Phoenix 1 Brisbane Roar 0
Best bet: Wellington Phoenix win ($2.60)
Did you know? Three consecutive losses leaves Brisbane Roar on the edge of a fourth straight Hyundai A-League defeat for the first time since March 2015, a streak which included a 2-1 loss to Wellington.
Perth Glory vs. Melbourne Victory
NIB Stadium
Saturday 21st January 5.00pm LOCAL
They have been arguably the most inconsistent side this season, and Perth Glory will be looking for maximum points over the next few weeks ahead of a tough run home.
They have recorded three draws and a win in their past four fixtures, and can take confidence in knowing they are undefeated in their last seven games against Victory.
Second place Melbourne Victory are coming off a surprising three nil defeat to Phoenix; ending their run of six straight wins. It’s the first time they have been kept scoreless this A-League season.
They will be looking for a return to form from key men Bersart Berisha and Marco Rojas, in the hope of reducing the 5-point gap between them and Sydney FC.
Tip: Perth Glory 1 Melbourne Victory 2
Best bet: Melbourne Victory win ($2.20)
Did you know? Victory star Besart Berisha has scored four goals in his last three Hyundai A-League games against Perth Glory, including a brace against them in January 2016.
Western Sydney Wanderers vs. Newcastle Jets
Campbelltown Stadium
Sunday 22nd January 5.00pm LOCAL
It’s fair to say it’s been a frustrating season for Western Sydney Wanderers, with last weeks draws in the Sydney Derby their ninth for the year. With just two wins from 15 games, time is running out for them to force their way into strong finals contention.
Newcastle Jets, however, have been outstanding in their past performances as they have recorded three wins and two draws across their last six fixtures.
They have showed great resilience in their recent away fixtures having won two of their past three, in comparison to Wanderers who are winless in their last seven home games.
Tip: Western Sydney Wanderers 2 Newcastle Jets 2
Best bet: Draw ($3.80)
Did you know? Western Sydney Wanderers are undefeated in their last four Hyundai A-League games against Newcastle Jets, keeping two clean sheets (W3, D1).
