Week 18 A-League Preview | Thebigtip

First off, I’d like to apologise for the lack of a preview last week – mainly because Sepp Blatter enjoys my previews so much he decided to punish the whole country for the lack of one by awarding the World Cup to Qatar. True story.

Adelaide v North Queensland

Date: Friday 10^th December

Time: 8:00pm EDT

Location: Hindmarsh Stadium

Betfair Odds

Adelaide: $1.56

Draw: $4.40

North Queensland: $6.80

Changes

Adelaide

In: Inseob Shin, Joe Keenan (both promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Mathew Leckie (knee – 5 weeks), Joe Costa (knee – season)

North Queensland

In: Brad McDonald, Brett Studman, Lorenzo Sipi (all promoted)
Out: Ufuk Talay (Suspended), Eugene Sseppuya (omitted)
Unavailable: Eric Akoto (Knee – 2 weeks), Adam Casey (Ankle – 1 week), Chris Grossman (Knee – 2 weeks), Chris Payne (Hamstring – 1 week), Isaka Cernak (Knee – 2 weeks)

The Key For Adelaide: A fast start. If they don’t score goals in the 1^st half of this match, they risk handing the Fury a chance to get something out of the game. We’ve seen how the Fury rise when they face the competition heavyweights – almost stealing a win at Brisbane just a few weeks ago. Their goal in that game came in just the 9^th minute and they were able to hold out until the stroke of 2^nd half injury time.

The Key For North Queensland: Their midfield. With the absence of Talay through suspension they risk the likes of Flores and co completely bossing the game from the outset. The Fury need the likes of Edds and Nikas to be able to contain and then create going the other way. That’s not too much to ask is it?

The X-Factor: How North Queensland react to the result of the FFA meeting, where the end result was...nothing. Whether this moves the Fury into Eff You mode or sends them further into a slump is yet to be seen. I’m of the opinion that it won’t have much of an effect; mainly because half the team has already committed to another club for next season and beyond.

Tip: Adelaide (2-0)

Melbourne Heart v Melbourne Victory

Date: Saturday 11^th December

Time: 7:00pm EDT

Location: AAMI Park

Betfair Odds:

Heart: $3.30

Draw: $3.30

Victory: $2.28

Changes

Heart

In: John Aloisi (promoted), Josip Skoko (returns from injury), Kliment Taseski (promoted), Wayne Srhoj (returns from suspension)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Alex Terra (3 weeks – Hamstring), Eli Babalj (4-6 weeks – Hip and Thigh)

Victory

In: Tom Pondeljak (returns from injury), Adrian Leijer (returns from suspension)
Out: Leigh Broxham (calf – 2 weeks)
Unavailable: Ricardinho (knee – 3 weeks)

The Key for Heart: It has to be a kitchen sink game for them. Not having scored a goal in roughly seven years and with only one point from their last six games, their season on the line – it all adds up. A loss to the Victory would see them drop potentially as many as four points out of the Top 6 with only nine games to play. Adding to that, it is, you know, a derby. If they can’t turn out a good performance for that you can write their season off.

The Key for Victory: Playing with a conventional back four. In the second half against Brisbane, for almost the first time this season the Victory played with Kemp and Sukha as full backs – the result was three goals. Coincidence? No chance. Playing with proper full backs also negates the Heart’s tactic of defending narrow as was the case when the two teams met back in October.

The X-Factor: Redemption for the Victory. Is it strong enough to carry them over the line? Or will Van’t Schip run (or should that be coach?) rings around Merrick once again?

Tip: Draw (1-1)

Gold Coast v Wellington

Date: Saturday 11^th December

Time: 9:15pm EDT

Location: Skilled Park

Betfair Odds

Gold Coast: $1.73

Draw: $3.25

Wellington: $4.30

Changes

Gold Coast

In: Glen Moss [gk], Steve Pantelidis, Michael Thwaite, Zenon Caravella (all return from injury).
Out: Jerrad Tyson [gk] (unable to make saves), Andrew Barisic, Steve Fitzsimmons (both omitted).
Unavailable: Joel Porter (hamstring injury – 1 week), Chris Broadfoot (knee injury – 6 weeks).

Wellington

In: Leo Bertos (return from injury)
Out: Nick Ward (calf – 4 weeks)
Unavailable: Tony Lochhead (groin – 2 weeks), Oscar Roberto Cornejo (knee – 2 weeks)

The Key for Gold Coast: Michael Thwaite. Before the Heart game last weekend, Gold Coast had conceded six goals in the three matches he had missed. His return has the dual effect of shoring up their defence while also offering another creative option in their midfield. Against a Wellington side that is unable to score multiple goals away from home (has not happened this season), having Thwaite back to keep a clean sheet is perfect timing.

The Key for Wellington: Finding consistency. Since their home record was broken, the Phoenix have been unable to string multiple wins together. The tonic could be pinching extra points out of the last two matches that they didn’t deserve. Even though it seems trivial in the overall scheme of the season, it’s these little moments that can set up a year.

The X-Factor: Paul Ifill. He’s scored four goals against Gold Coast in their five meetings, including the winner when they came away from Skilled Park with a 1-0 win last season. If the Gold Coast defence can shut him down, they will get their clean sheet and a likely victory.

Tip: Gold Coast (2-0)