Way out west! That’s where the wins have been hard to come by and where the fans have suffered the most over the last month of the A-League.
Perth Glory, Western United and Western Sydney Wanderers are all struggling to halt losing streaks at present. The latter two teams, by virtue of their strong starts to the season, still remain in the top six but that could change rapidly on a congested table in which just four points separates fourth placed Wanderers from 11th placed Perth Glory.
Few would have predicted last season’s Premiership Plate winner Perth Glory would be holding up the rest of the table, especially with its much heralded attack. The Glory’s Friday evening visit to striker Bruno Fornaroli’s former stomping ground, AAMI Park to play second placed Melbourne City, kicks off this weekend’s Rd 9 of A-League matches.
Wellington Phoenix v Western Sydney Wanderers | 5.00 pm, 7 December | Eden Park
As unlikely as it seemed a few rounds ago, a Phoenix win today against the struggling Wanderers will see Phoenix move ahead of the Wanderers and possibly jump into the top six for the first time this season. Two wins on the trot for Ufuk Talay’s men has them going into this match confident of getting a result. Key Phoenix players include UK forward Gary Hooper and Mexican playmaker Ulises Davila whose penalty decided the match in Phoenix’s favour in the upset win against Adelaide Reds last outing.
The Wanderers on the other hand, will be desperate to halt a free fall which includes three losses in a row.
Prediction: Phoenix Win
Sydney FC v Brisbane Roar | 7.30 pm, 7 December | Nestrata Jubilee Stadium
A display of clinical marksmanship from Sydney striker Adam LeFondre against new boys Western United last week, saw the champions ascend to the top of the A-League last week. Midfield playmaker Alex Baumjohann stepped up in Milos Ninkovic’s absence to provide two assists. It’s difficult to see them losing top place this week against a visiting Roar who are in sixth place on the table thanks to a 2-0 home win over the Mariners last week. The Roar has yet to score a first half goal this season, and will again be relying on forwards Roy O’Donovan and midfield playmaker Jay O’Shea to try and breach the Sky Blues defence.
Prediction: Sydney FC win
Western United v Melbourne Victory | 4.00 pm, 8 December | GMHBA Stadium
Two sides struggling for form at the moment, meet for the second time this season after their season opener clash when United won 3-2. Victory scored a much needed win last week against another out of sorts opponent in Perth Glory thanks to Robbie Kruse’s goal in an impressive return from injury. Together with Andrew Nabbout, and skipper Ola Toivonen, Victory’s attack looks more potent than it has all season. On the minus side, Victory will be without defenders Tim Hoogland and Thomas Deng out with injuries. United are scoreless in their last three matches and the question is will coach Mark Rudan start striker Beshart Berisha on the bench against his old club, or in the starting 11. Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Jonathan Aspropotamitis are recalled to the squad for this game, although there is no place for Valentino Yuel.
Prediction : Draw
Adelaide United v Newcastle Jets | 6.00 pm, 8 December | Coopers Stadium
Just four points separates the third placed Reds from the 7th placed Jets with the Jets taking winning form into this match. Young Jets forward Angus Thurgate, deployed as a false nine, has scored in both those wins and along with Dimi Petratos, looms as a key player in this match. Adelaide United will be hoping to bounce back from an uncharacteristically flat performance in the shock loss to Phoenix last week. However they’ll have to do it without the services of their top scorer Riley McGree who will miss because of a key injury. The Jets will be without Panamanian striker Abdiel Arroyo out with a hamstring injury. However another forward Kaine Sheppard returns to the squad for the first time this season.
Prediction: Draw