With the euphoria of the Socceroos amazing mid-week performance still fresh in our minds, it’s time to return to domestic matters with Round Eight of the A-League. Round Seven was another goal fest and I’m predicting same for this weekend too, there looks to be some pretty open games on the cards. Here’s how I see it shaping up....
Tonight
Queensland Roar v Adelaide United
Roar would have been gutted after losing two points to a last gasp goal at Sydney last round. If they’d held on that would have meant back-to-back away wins over the A-League’s top two. However those performances will breed confidence and it has to be said, overweight or not, Charlie Miller is looking a great piece of business. Adelaide are going into the game after a decent break from taking the ACL by storm – confidence in the Reds’ camp will also be high. This is an interesting one, talk may be centring on Melbourne and Sydney, but these two are gaining momentum.
Verdict: Honours even (Miller to score again)
Saturday
Newcastle Jets v Melbourne Victory
Only Perth have a worse defence than Newcastle after the Jets shipped 13 goals in the opening seven fixtures. Melbourne on the other hand have the league’s best attack, with 16 goals already. You can see where I’m going with this one. Unless Newcastle can fix that leaky defence, they will find themselves dwelling with the likes of Perth and Wellington. While Melbourne are showing flashes of the form which enabled them to sweep the board in Season Two.
Verdict: Melbourne expose Newcastle frailties
Sunday
Perth Glory v Sydney
It is becoming increasingly difficult to think up different write-ups for Perth each week, they just can’t seem to get things moving. The visit of Sydney, a team which put five past them earlier in the season, is unlikely to lighten Perth’s worries. That said, Wellington turned over Sydney for their first home win, so anything is possible. A couple of minor stumbles from Sydney in recent weeks, but there’s nothing like a Perth fixture to get the season back on track.
Verdict: Another Perth defeat
Central Coast Mariners v Wellington Phoenix
What a fantastic fight back from the Mariners in Round Seven to grab three goals in 20 minutes and force a point. That shows great character and it also means they have goals to burn. Matt Simon is doing well and could expose the Wellington backline here. Wellington may have turned the corner slightly after four points from the last two games, but a trip to the Bluetongue might be a bit beyond them.
Verdict: Home advantage tells
Tonight
Queensland Roar v Adelaide United
Roar would have been gutted after losing two points to a last gasp goal at Sydney last round. If they’d held on that would have meant back-to-back away wins over the A-League’s top two. However those performances will breed confidence and it has to be said, overweight or not, Charlie Miller is looking a great piece of business. Adelaide are going into the game after a decent break from taking the ACL by storm – confidence in the Reds’ camp will also be high. This is an interesting one, talk may be centring on Melbourne and Sydney, but these two are gaining momentum.
Verdict: Honours even (Miller to score again)
Saturday
Newcastle Jets v Melbourne Victory
Only Perth have a worse defence than Newcastle after the Jets shipped 13 goals in the opening seven fixtures. Melbourne on the other hand have the league’s best attack, with 16 goals already. You can see where I’m going with this one. Unless Newcastle can fix that leaky defence, they will find themselves dwelling with the likes of Perth and Wellington. While Melbourne are showing flashes of the form which enabled them to sweep the board in Season Two.
Verdict: Melbourne expose Newcastle frailties
Sunday
Perth Glory v Sydney
It is becoming increasingly difficult to think up different write-ups for Perth each week, they just can’t seem to get things moving. The visit of Sydney, a team which put five past them earlier in the season, is unlikely to lighten Perth’s worries. That said, Wellington turned over Sydney for their first home win, so anything is possible. A couple of minor stumbles from Sydney in recent weeks, but there’s nothing like a Perth fixture to get the season back on track.
Verdict: Another Perth defeat
Central Coast Mariners v Wellington Phoenix
What a fantastic fight back from the Mariners in Round Seven to grab three goals in 20 minutes and force a point. That shows great character and it also means they have goals to burn. Matt Simon is doing well and could expose the Wellington backline here. Wellington may have turned the corner slightly after four points from the last two games, but a trip to the Bluetongue might be a bit beyond them.
Verdict: Home advantage tells
