Last weekend’s four-match round of the A-League produced four winners including two first time winners in what were upset results. Brisbane Roar and Newcastle Jets broke through for their first wins of the season against the high flying Melbourne City and Western United respectively. The game between Roar and City produced two hat tricks to Jamie MacLaren and Roy O’Donovan.
Fans can look forward to a triple header this Saturday with top billing going to the grand final replay in Perth on Saturday evening. Round seven kicked off on Friday evening at Bankwest Stadium where Western Sydney Wanderers hosted league leader Melbourne City.
Wellington Phoenix v Brisbane Roar | Saturday 23 November, 5 pm | Westpac Stadium
Coach Ufuk Talay’s Phoenix team remains the only team without a win this season. After a bye last round, the Nix squad will be boosted by the return from internationals of striker Callum McCowatt, full back Liberato Cacace and keeper Stefan Marinovic (All-Whites) as well as Olyroo forward Reno Picopo and British striker Gary Hooper returning from injury. For the Roar, the floodgates opened in their upset win against Melbourne City last week, ending a goal drought and boosting the team’s confidence.
Prediction: Draw
Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory | Saturday 23 November, 7.30 pm | Coopers Stadium
Traditional rivals clash in a game which marks the return of former Reds boss Marko Kurz, to his old stomping ground. United go into the match as a warm favourite on the back of three straight wins, against a struggling Victory side which sits in a lowly 8th spot on the ladder. Kurz’s squad will receive a timely boost with the return of five players from injury and international duty including key forward Andrew Nabbout (injury) and Ken Athiu, Elvis Kamsoba, Thomas Deng and Storm Roux. For United, Al Hasan Toure returns after Olyroo duty.
Prediction: Adelaide win
Perth Glory v Sydney FC | Saturday 23 November, 9.45 pm | HBF Park
Tony Popovic’s Glory will be keen to reverse the losing grand final result when these two sides last met. Two of the pre-season favourites, Sydney have continued where they left off last year and sit second on the ladder whereas Perth sit in sixth place with just the one win. Perth should be refreshed after a bye last round, and fans will be hoping their vaunted forward line can click. Bruno Fornaroli has one more goal to score before reaching the 50 goal milestone. If he can do that against Sydney, he will have achieved the 50 goal milestone quicker than any player in A-League history.
Prediction: Draw
Central Coast Mariners v Western United | Sunday 24 November 6.00 pm
In front of their home fans, the Mariners will be determined to avoid a third loss in a row. Up till now they’ve relied heavily on the goals of Serb midfielder Milan Duric but he’ll be missing due to a hip injury. The Mariners have signed former Newcastle Jets forward, 31 year old Brazilian Jair who’s been rushed into the match day squad. Western United welcomes back Panagiotis Kone from injury and have also named defender Jonathan Aspropotamitis in the squad.
Prediction: Western United win