A-League match day ten ends tonight as Melbourne City travel to Western Sydney while Perth Glory remain in Western Australia for a clash against Central Coast.
Then it’s the previews and best bets for the early fixture of match week 11.
western sydney wanderer v melbourne city
march 2nd 7:05pm
After putting to rest a three-game losing run with a 3-2 victory over Sydney FC, Melbourne City travels to Bankwest Stadium to do battle with the Western Sydney Wanderers on Tuesday night.
Losses against Central Coast, Newcastle and Perth had City head coach Patrick Ksnorbo scratching his head but he and his men were able to find a way to get three points against the reigning champion.
The Wanderers, meanwhile, suffered a disappointing 3-2 loss against Adelaide after going into the game the well-backed $1.80 favourites.
Despite dominating possession and having 26 shots at goal, the Wanderers defence was unable to deal with the threat posed by the Reds offensive line led by Stefan Mauk and Craig Goodwin.
It was a reality check for the Wanderers who now sit in fourth spot with a handful more games played compared to teams chasing from below.
With Melbourne City getting its tail up into this clash and Jamie Maclaren in his usual goal-scoring form following his brace against the Sky Blues, a game against the stumbling Wanderers might just be the tonic to get their finals charge back on track.
This would have to be one of the toughest games of the round, especially given how well the Wanderers defence had held up prior to the loss against Adelaide.
The most recent clash between the two sides was last year in March and it ended in a 1-1 draw.
Could be in for a repeat dose of that outcome on Tuesday.
Prediction: Western Sydney 1 Melbourne City 1
Suggested Bet: Draw at $3.4
perth glory v central coast mariners
march 2nd 9:05pm
It’s safe to say prior to the season beginning that only a deluded optimist would consider this fixture one of the most anticipated A-League games of the year: but here we are.
League leaders Central Coast take the flight across the Nullabor to face the scoring machine – Perth Glory.
Both the Mariners and Glory have played some of the most exciting football this A-League season has produced and we’re expecting nothing less here.
The Glory bring the best goal scoring record into the game despite having played the least amount of games. Health and safety protocols have disjointed an otherwise enthralling start to Perth’s season.
WIth 18 goals in six matches and hovering in sixth place with a three-game winning streak, Glory comes into this game full of confidence.
A-League stalwart Bruno Fornaroli found the scoresheet for the fifth time this season in Glory’s 3-1 triumph over Brisbane Roar on Friday while veteran Diego Castro netted a double.
The Mariners enter this game on the back of a quarantine stint in Perth as well as a 3-2 loss to the hands of Adelaide just under a fortnight ago.
Despite the factors against the Mariners, it’s main striker Alou Kuol is the man who can create opportunities and spark his side into life here.
Kuol continued his breakout year by finding the back of the net again in the loss to Adelaide and in doing so, took his season tally to six goals, good for second on the goal-scoring chart this season.
With Perth notching up two wins from its two home games this year and having accounted for the Mariners 1-0 at HBF Park back in the most recent fixture between the sides in July 2020, the even money on offer for the Glory is the way to go.
Prediction: Perth Glory 2 Central Coast Mariners 1
Suggested Bet: Perth Glory head to head at $2
Adelaide United v Newcastle Jets
MARCH 5TH 7:35PM
Fresh off two impressive victories against Central Coast and Western Sydney, Adelaide United welcomes the Newcastle Jets to Coopers Stadium on Friday night.
With its season petering out and finals potentially looking out of the equation again, Adelaide rallied itself back into contern with a set of 3-2 wins over both the Mariners and Wanderers.
Teenage sensation Mohamed Toure made an immediate impact off the bench in the win against the Wanderers and he may be relied upon again if striker Tomi Juric is to miss a second game in a row.
Despite those wins, the defensive woes for the Reds still continued as it now has the unwanted tag of conceding the most goals in the league.
It is an area the Jets will need to take advantage of, but they may struggle, given their 2-0 loss against bottom-placed Wellington Phoenix on Sunday.
The Jets failed to break down a stubborn Phoenix back half after peppering away with 18 shots on goal, but may be given the opportunity to do so against this Adelaide team who have looked shaky in defence all year.
The last time the two teams met was in March 2020 at this very venue and it was 3-0 rout in favour of the Jets on that occasion.
Things have changed for the squads since then, but given the Jets have improved since that time last year, it may very well be enough to pinch a result and get back into form.
The Adelaide back four will have to be wary of Valentino Yuel who has scored four goals this year.
Adelaide will likely welcome back Tomi Juric, who, like his counterpart Yuel, has also buried four goals this season.
This shapes as a season-defining game for both teams: Adelaide win and it entrenches itself in the top six, Newcastle win and it keeps itself right in the hunt for a finals berth.
Sitting on the fence here.
Prediction: Adelaide United 2 Newcastle Jets 2
Suggested Bet: Draw at $3.4
