Friday 14th March 2014: Sydney FC vs Brisbane Roar (Allianz Stadium)
If the anti-Farina forces at Sydney FC will be looking for an excuse to trot out their currently hibernating calls for the SFCboss to get the boot, this match should be the catalyst for such a return to form. Whilst no one can deny that based on points the home team is in a strong position, and has plenty of wins up their sleeve, their actual form on the pitch is in no way a true indication of how they can and should go forward into this game and the remaining rounds of 2013/14. Utterly inconsistent and relying on luck and catastrophic errors from their recent rivals, the Sky Blues are hardly imposing a winning style over their opponents. Admittedly there is plenty to like about the introduction of Ognenovski at the back. Perhaps there is also some hope to be drawn from their dogged approach to confound all observers, and excel when least expected or fail miserably with equal uncertainty.
So as Sydney FC come up against the table leading Roar, the faithful will no doubt be hoping that they can and will beat the visitors. Yet if one club and one squad this year has been the polar opposite of Sydney, it is Brisbane. Consistent and remorseless, Mulvey’s team has achieved an efficiency that is reminiscent of the old Roarcelona of 2010-12, and the Mariners and Wanderers of 2012/13. The old firm of Berisha and Broich is firing on all cylinders, and Miller and Brattan have been crucial in maintaining the Roar’s consistency. There might be some issues resulting from the absence of Franjic, and defensively the return of Stefanutto as a key figure does ask questions, specifically in terms of the backs’ speed and discipline. However I can’t honestly see the home team providing a challenge to surpass even a reduced Roar defence, especially with Despotovic out. Gameiro and Antonis will possibly ask some solid questions but Brisbane should answer those comfortably.
My Prediction: 0-2 Brisbane Roar win
Saturday 15th March 2014: Western Sydney Wanderers vs Adelaide United (Pirtek Stadium)
There’s no denying that the Wanderers are currently in a slump, and the problem is not one that can be easily cured. The demands of having to play ACL games, the second season syndrome, injuries, changes in personnel and simple stuff ups have recently made last year’s premiers look very ordinary. Thus this game will be both a supreme test for the home team, and an opportunity for the visitors to prove that the Gombau doctrine of tikki-takka can take the Reds to the title. Adelaide are close to full strength and whilst they are coming off a loss against the Roar they should be very confident. Key playmaker Carrusca is on board for the Reds and the man I believe who has really helped spark Adelaide’s recent run of good form, Bruce Djite is back. Cirio and Ferreira will be troubling the home team, whilst Adelaide’s defence has toughened up recently.
For Popovic the best aspect of this game is all the usual stalwarts of their earlier season success should be fit, ready and available. Ono, Spiranovic, and Covic didn’t fly to China for the ACL win, whilst Polenz, Mooy and Hersi weren’t over-extended. There will be some established players looking over their shoulders after that mid-week match, with the likes of Tyson, Trifiro and Appiah possibly figuring in the line up. It has to be said that a fit, rested and hungry Tomi Juric is vital to the Wanderers, as their ability to score goals this season has been compromised by his injuries or lack of form. Santalab can provide options but he is a goal poacher, not a striker who can define a game like Juric. For the home team it would also be hoped that recent issues with the RBB will be behind everyone and that Wanderland will be the cauldron that everyone expects it to be.
My Prediction: 2-1 Western Sydney Wanderers win
Saturday 15th March 2014: Central Coast Mariners Vs Newcastle United (Bluetongue Stadium)
One of the great derbies in the A-League is the F3 match-up between the Mariners and the Jets, and this one will be very intriguing for neutrals and fans alike thanks to the precarious state and near equal performance of each club at this stage of the season. With only one point separating the two teams and the Jets in a surprising purple patch of form, the home team will be faced with a big challenge. Moss’s team have had a midweek win in their ACL campaign behind them and are arguably putting into this match their best line-up. Duke, Bosnar, Ibini and Sterjovski are all crucial to the performance of the Mariners and the last mentioned has been particularly strong. Korean import Kim Seung-Yong will hopefully do better yet again this match for the home fans, partocularly after his defensive howler in the midweek match.
However there is something compelling in the thought about the Jets coming down the road and possibly stealing all three points. There is nothing pretty or attractive about their play but in recent weeks the midfield of Zadkovich and Caravella has been doing excellent work, and Adam Taggart is possibly one of the top two or three strikers in the current A-League season. With a physical and pressing defence and a gun striker up front Clayton Zane has manufactured wins and draws when many observers would expect losses. Their efforts in knocking off in successive weeks the Roar, Wanderers and Heart show that there is still life in the Jet’s challenge for 2013/14 honours yet.
My Prediction: 1-1 draw
Saturday 15th March 2014: Perth Glory vs Melbourne Victory (nib Stadium)
The shambles that has been Perth’s season will be back home in this late night Saturday match, with the Victory coming to town and looking to possibly pass the Wanderers into second place on the ladder. For Perth the usual problems and issues that have bedeviled their campaign in 2013/14 will almost certainly be on display again, with older and relatively ineffectual players such as Gallas, Thwaite and Marinkovic forming a burden that the younger players like de Silva and Harrold being unable to get out from under. The internal squabbling and fighting, the lack of attacking options and the sheer inchoate mess that is the on-field team gives all the Perth fans reason to wonder how they can possibly hope to beat the Victory. Throw in the absence of Smeltz through injury and Vukovic leaving to join Graham Arnold in the J-League and it’s a tale of woe out west.
For Kevin Muscat’s Victory their strong performance mid-week in their ACL draw, and the return of key players such as Milligan, Rogic and Ansell should help build a compelling case for an away win. Whilst their form has been a little patchy in recent weeks the win over the Mariners last round and the sheer strength of their forward and midfield options should give Muscat cause to think his squad can dominate the home team. There are problems at the back, insofar as neither Coe nor Thomas look great in goal, and Contreras is only a few weeks away from retirement. Whilst these may be concerns against a rampant Roar, Heart or Adelaide, against the toothless Glory it should be hardly worth the worry.
My Prediction: 3-0 Melbourne Victory win
Sunday 16th March 2014: Melbourne Heart vs Wellington Phoenix (AAMI Park)
The two clubs that dominated the lower reaches of the ladder earlier this season have undergone a renaissance in recent weeks, threatening the top six and making some highly fancied opposition look rather foolish. Yet coming into this match both the Heart and the Phoenix look to have reverted a little back to their earlier ordinary form. However whilst the Phoenix have been handed some beltings (with the Heart doing the deed away from home a scant four rounds ago) the Heart have stayed far more consistent. There is no doubt that playing at home gives the Melbourne team the advantage, and right now with a line up that includes the immense Engelaar in midfield, a resurgent Harry Kewell, a solid defence that includes Kisnorbo and Behich, and players like Dugandzic, Williams, Germano, Murdocca and Ramsay there are few weak links in their line-up.
As for the visitors the import threesome of Cunningham, Hernandez and Huysegems are the make or break component of Merrick’s squad. When those three players are on song the Phoenix take a lot of beating. However in the last few rounds there have been moments when their efforts have dipped and as a consequence so has the Phoenix’s fortunes. Their defence will be strengthened thanks to the presence of Manny Muscat and whilst a older veteran Glen Moss can still pull out some classic saves. Unfortunately for their fans the likes of Lia and Hicks have not been able to sustain flashes of form shown in earlier weeks and Durante and Brockie are nowhere near as potent as they were last season. For my 2 cents I think the Heart’s rise will continue whilst the Phoenix have stalled.
My Prediction: 2-1 Melbourne Heart win
The Manfred Schaefer Files 