After a chaotic week for the business side of the A-League, the action returned to the pitch on Wednesday night when the beleaguered Gold Coast United pulled out a fantastic performance to earn a 3-3 draw with table toppers Central Coast Mariners.
This weekend there will be plenty of action to distract us all from the behind the scenes rumble between Palmer, Tinkler and the FFA. Friday night sees Adelaide United travel to the Newcastle Jets. United go into the game with former coach Rini Coolen announcing that he is suing the club over his removal as coach. When Coolen was eased out they had 10 points from 11 games. Fortunes haven’t improved much since then with only 13 points from the subsequent 11 games and the club still sitting second last in the league.
Saturday sees 4th placed Wellington visit 6th placed Sydney. With the battle for finals places hotting up, champagne football not being a specialty of either side, and only three points between the clubs it’s sure to be a tense affair.
Melbourne Victory have an easy day out on the Gold Coast.
With form picking up over the last couple of games, Kewell hitting his best, and Gold Coast’s young side no doubt feeling the pressure after a long week in the public spotlight, I’m tipping Victory to keep themselves in the hunt for 6th place with a win on the road. It’s 2nd vs 3rd in Perth late Saturday evening.
Perth Glory host Brisbane Roar with both teams looking like potential grand finalists. The round is completed on Sunday when Melbourne Heart welcome the league leading Central Coast Mariners to AAMI Park. Heart are currently sitting in a finals place, and also hold a five point lead over Victory in the battle to be Melbourne’s top team.
