A-League Round 20 Preview

Newcastle Jets vs Queensland Roar

The penultimate round of this year’s inaugural Hyundai A-League can shape the final placings of all sides, as the top four teams clash the bottom four in what is sure to be another exciting round of Australian football.

Australia Day football is on the menu for round 20, with the second placed Newcastle Jets hosting the inform Queensland Roar at Energy Australia Stadium on Thursday evening.

Last round the Jets overtook Sydney and leapfrogged into second place by virtue of a single goal win over the struggling Melbourne Victory, whilst the Roar knocked off Sydney with talented youngster Alex Brosque bagging a brace.

Uruguayan Mateo Corbo has returned from a groin problem to come back into the Jets squad with the hosts looking to extend their gap on Sydney to four points with a win.

The Roar welcome back exciting winger Spase Dilevski and striker Warren Moon back into the squad in the place of the omitted Todd Gava and young talent David Williams who is representing Australia at under 20 level.

My Tip: The Roar are in form and I wouldn’t be surprised if they take it to Newcastle, but the Jets have too much to play for and won’t let this chance slip. They should get a reasonable crowd and I predict Vaughan Coveny to continue his rich vein of goal scoring. Newcastle 2-1.

Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory

On Friday night, the Central Coast Mariners tackle the Melbourne Victory at Gosford, with the Mariners hoping for a victory to cement their spot in the top four at the completion of this round.

In the same fixture earlier this year, the Mariners dominated but two late goals to Archie Thompson and Adrian Leijer scored the victory for Melbourne. However, they are a very different prospect these days minus Archie Thompson.

The Victory have been absolutely belted by the Melbourne press with coach Ernie Merrick having a website set up against him, protesting for his departure (www.sackmerrick.com).

The Mariners have lifted considerably over the past few weeks, and will be very happy with picking up a point at Hindmarsh Stadium. After two successive draws on the road against Sydney and Adelaide, the Mariners will be looking forward to a home match.

My Tip: Melbourne will be fired up but simply lack the quality to challenge the Mariners. After the departure of Thompson, the Victory are struggling up front and won’t score. Central Coast 2-0.

New Zealand Knights vs Adelaide United

Bottom placed New Zealand Knights face Adelaide United at the North Shore Stadium on Saturday night, in a clash which pits bottom against top.

The Knights, spurred on by the form of young talent Jeremy Brockie have been slightly improving but they will be no match for Adelaide.

Despite United resting star midfielder Shenquing Qu from the match in preparation to the finals, the top of the table United will be far too strong.

My Tip: Adelaide to cruise through, after a first-half scare. Evergreen Carl Veart will hit the back of the net twice in a 3-1 win for Adelaide.

Perth Glory vs Sydney FC

And in the final game of the round, Perth Glory will face Sydney FC at Members Equity Stadium on Sunday evening.

The Glory will need to win to keep their finals hopes alive, and under coach Alan Vest they have hit some good form of late.

Sydney are quickly slipping and should easily top the table with the funds and quality players available to them. For Sydney to finish anything less than the top two, should be considered a failure.

My Tip: Sydney haven’t been good of late, and Perth are hitting form at the right time. The Glory will be desperate and will snare all three points against a Sydney defence which looks vulnerable. Glory 2-1.

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