Return Bouts: Week 6 A-League Preview | Thebigtip

So six weeks in and we’re finally getting our first return matches of the season in Central Coast-Heart and Adelaide-Newcastle. Even though it’s probably a bit too soon for them, it’ll be a good indicator of how the teams have progressed (and possibly regressed) since Round 1.

Central Coast v Melbourne Heart

Date: Friday 10^th September

Time: 8:00pm EST

Location: Bluetongue Stadium

Betfair Odds

Central Coast: $2.20

Draw: $3.30

Heart: $3.80

Changes

Central Coast

In: Matthew Lewis, Chris Doig (promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Patricio Perez (suspended – one week), Jess Vanstratten (knee – season), Trent Sainsbury (knee – four weeks)

Heart

In: 5. Michael Beauchamp, 18. Ante Tomic
Out: 7. Rutger Worm, 11. Alex Terra
Unavailable: Kristian Sarkies (Leg – Indefinite), Josip Skoko (Hamstring – 1-2 weeks), Rutger Worm (Hamstring 2-3 weeks), Kamal Ibrahim (Calf – 1 week)

Overview

Keeping on with the theme of return bouts, if this game wasn’t one I’d be looking forward to it with all the enthusiasm of a Pakistani cricket team playing a match without large amounts of money on it.

Last time the Heart looked shaky at the back, dodgy in the midfield and toothless up front, yet you could still make an argument that they deserved at least a point from the game. They’ve improved tenfold since then, while the Mariners haven’t really been impressive even though they keep getting the results. Playing hoofball has its benefits I guess.

The Mariners got their goal last time from a set piece and to say it was horrible defending would be nice – since that game though the Heart have started to tighten up at the back, and especially last week they looked very solid there. They’ll welcome back Beauchamp from his ankle injury, although the question will be whether that affects the dynamic Hamill and Colosimo were building together. Personally I think it won’t, as the Heart will need the bigger body of Beauchamp to deal with McBreen, Simon and co and the threat they’ll provide at set pieces.

The battle through the midfield will be interesting. Last week Central Coast were comfortable defending and losing possession in the centre just because they knew that the Victory weren’t going to slip through that killer ball. It might be a little bit of the same this week because as I look at the Heart midfield, no-one there really inspires me with confidence that they’ll unlock the Mariners defence.

This doesn’t look like being the most entertaining of matches. It’ll most likely be dour unless there’s an early goal to the Heart. As for a prediction, for some reason I can see the Heart nicking a goal somewhere and pinching the three points much the same way the Mariners did to them in Round 1.

Tip: Heart (1-0)