Week 4 Preview
As we head into week 4 of the 2016/17 season of the Hyundai A-League, Sydney FC sit on top of the competition ladder after a hard fought victory in Wellington saw them claim their third straight victory and also their third successive clean sheet. This week will see the ladder leaders take on Newcastle Jets, who are also undefeated, despite sitting fourth following a win and two draws so far this season.
Friday night will see Melbourne City clash with Adelaide United at Etihad Stadium, with the reigning premiers failing to record a win so far this year, coming off another heartbreaking loss to City’s counterpart Melbourne Victory last weekend.
Other matches include Western Sydney Wanderers hosting Central Coast Mariners who are still looking for their first win of the season, whilst Brisbane Roar look to make it back-to-back wins with an exciting match up against the in-form Perth Glory. To round off Week 4, Melbourne Victory will look to add further salt into the wounds of Wellington Phoenix, who sit last on the competition ladder and are still searching for their first goal of this campaign.
Melbourne City vs. Adelaide United
Friday 28 October 7.50pm AEDT
AAMI Park
It was a heartbreaking loss for Melbourne City last week, coming off back to back victories and a perfect start to their new season, but failed to hold out Glory striker Andy Keogh who managed to break the deadlock in the 85th minute and claim a hat-trick in the process. They will no doubt be looking to redeem themselves this weekend despite only winning 3 out of their past 11 clashes against Adelaide.
Similar to City, Adelaide United are coming off their second successive loss after they conceded an injury time winner to Melbourne Victory last Saturday night. They find themselves in unfamiliar territory sitting without a win this season, but can take confidence in knowing they are unbeaten in their last 11 matches away from home.
It will be interesting to see how Adelaide respond considering their lackluster start this season, and considering City are coming off a second Melbourne Derby in 10 days, Adelaide may find themselves with the perfect opportunity to kick start their season in better fashion.
Tip: City 1 Adelaide 2
Best bet: Adelaide United half time handicap +1.0 ($1.57)
Did you know? The Reds were one of only two sides to keep a clean sheet as the visiting team at AAMI Park last Hyundai A-League season, winning 2-0 against City in round 27.
Newcastle Jets vs. Sydney FC
Saturday 29 October 5.35pm AEDT
McDonald Jones Stadium
As two of the three remaining undefeated teams this year, Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets kick off Super Saturday with a match of great expectation for both teams who will be looking to continue their successful start to the year. Newcastle will take a lot of confidence from their finish last weekend, scoring twice in the final 10 minutes against Western Sydney to somehow snatch a draw and continue their undefeated run.
Whilst Sydney FC boast the best attack this year (9 goals), Newcastle have knuckled down defensively and have only conceded three goals so far this season; the least of any team with the exception of the ladder leaders.
No doubt the form team of the competition thus far, Sydney FC has shown incredible resilience in defence this year; yet to concede a goal throughout their opening three matches. Statistically, their run of clean sheets is expected to continue this weekend with the competition leaders unbeaten in their last 10 A-league games against Newcastle, keeping clean sheets in eight of those previous fixtures.
They managed an injury time winner last weekend against Phoenix, but the travel is far less taxing this week and I expect Sydney to come away with another victory despite a strong showing from the home side.
Tip: Newcastle 1 Sydney 3
Best bet: Sydney FC first team to score ($1.60)
Did you know? Newcastle Jets are unbeaten in four Hyundai A-League games. The last time they enjoyed a longer run without defeat was in November 2013 when they went six games without a loss
Western Sydney Wanderers vs. Central Coast Mariners
Saturday 29 October 7.50pm AEDT
Spotless Stadium
It’s a game where two teams are struggling for form, the Wanderers failing to find their groove whilst the Mariners remain winless in their new campaign and come off back-to-back losses. Western Sydney make the fair claim that the host of new signings will take time to adapt to new formations, but also concede that a lack of focus in the final stages of their clash against Newcastle was the reason behind conceding two goals in the final stages of the fixture. They will be looking to continue their good run of form against the Mariners having won their last three A-League matches against them.
The visitors are coming off back to back losses and a tough defeat to Brisbane Roar last week, and despite their countless efforts to draw level they failed to take advantage of their opportunities, particularly from set pieces in the second half. In saying that, they boast the second worst attack of the competition (3 goals) and have only managed 30 shots on goal which is the second least of any team this season.
The Mariners are really struggling for form, and I think Western Sydney will learn from last week’s result and bounce back to their usual best. Wanderers in a convincing win.
Tip: Wanderers 3 Mariners 0
Best bet: Wanderers half time handicap -1.0 ($4.40)
Did you know? Central Coast Mariners have won only once in the Hyundai A-League in 2016 so far across two seasons, with their only two victories in their last 29 games have come against Wellington Phoenix.
Brisbane Roar vs. Perth Glory
Sunday 30 October 4.00pm AEDT
Suncorp Stadium
Brisbane responded well to their 4-nil thumping to Newcastle United two weeks ago, with a hard fought victory over a struggling Mariners outfit. With their first three points in the bag, they will be looking to carry their momentum into this fixture when they take on second place Perth Glory, a team who has only won once in their last 10 encounters between them.
Glory will be taking a lot of confidence out of their victory over Melbourne City last weekend, and Irish striker Andy Keogh will be looking to carry his form after scoring a hat trick last week including a last minute winner that saw them temporarily sit atop the competition ladder. On a sour note, Coach Kenny Lowe has been dealt a two match ban for his outburst against the referees at half time after a questionable penalty call just before the break.
Despite Brisbane managing a win last week, Perth Glory have been in tremendous form and will look to stamp their claims as competition heavy weights this Sunday afternoon.
Tip: Brisbane 1 Perth 2
Best bet: Perth head to head ($3.00)
Did you know? Brisbane Roar have only lost once in their last five Hyundai A-League meetings with Perth Glory; with that defeat occurring in their most recent encounter.
Melbourne Victory vs. Wellington Phoenix
Monday 31 October 7.50
Etihad Stadium
Melbourne Victory claimed their first win of the season last weekend when they managed an injury time goal to Marco Rojas to salvage a victory against defending premiers Adelaide United. They come into this fixture having only recorded one home victory in their last seven A-League matches at Etihad Stadium. It will be interesting to see how they respond from their loss to Melbourne City in the FFA cup, the second time they have gone down to their rivals in 10 days.
Last place Wellington Phoenix are a struggling outfit at the moment, coming off three consecutive losses whilst still failing to find the back of the net in their new campaign. Interestingly enough, they have maintained their grit defensively having only conceded 4 goals so far this year, which is the third least of any team after the first three rounds.
I tipped Wellington to score their first goal of the season last week, and despite them failing to do so I feel like their drought is about to break. In saying that, I can’t see them claiming the three points away from home.
Tip: Victory 2 Phoenix 1
Best bet: Melbourne Victory win and both teams to score ($3.00)
Did you know? Phoenix midfielder Gui Finkler has created more chances than any other player this A-League season (11), but they have the lowest shot accuracy of any team this year. (33%)
Blue Bet Words - Andre Cupido
