3 minute read
A look at the action in round eight of the A-League season.
PREVIEW OF A-LEAGUE ROUND EIGHT MATCHES (all times AEDT):
FRIDAY, Nov 29
Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory at AAMI Park, 7.30pm
Head to head: Glory 17, Victory 16, drawn 10
Last clash: Round 23, 2018-19 - Victory 2-0 at HBF Park
Two teams under the blowtorch but it's Victory and their coach Marco Kurz most at risk of getting scorched by their impatient home fans. A hammering from Adelaide last week leaves the Big V second-last and boasting the worst goal differential in the league. They're winless in their last four although Perth haven't sampled success in their last three, failing to reprise the assured brand of 2018-19. Hopes of a Glory win brightened following news the hosts are without injured defender Thomas Deng.
Key: Leigh Broxham. Victory's midfield rock becomes the first A-League player to bring up 300 games for a single club, nearly 12 years after his debut game - against Perth.
Tip: Draw
SATURDAY, Nov 30
Brisbane Roar v Central Coast Mariners at Suncorp Stadium, 5pm
Head to head: Roar 29, Mariners 7, drawn 13
Last clash: Round 20, 2018-19 - Roar 5-3 at Central Coast Stadium
A dressing down from Robbie Fowler may have the desired effect on a Brisbane side who returned to their early-season stupor last week in going down to Wellington. They're unbeaten in their last 15 meetings with Central Coast although the Mariners are in the mood to bulldoze recent history. Last week's 1-0 upset of Western United was their first clean sheet in 39 games, lifting Alen Stajcic's team into the top six.
Key: Ziggy Gordon - The Scottish signing has made an impression in the Mariners' defensive line, mostly tellingly last week when shifted from right back to centre back.
Tip: Roar
Newcastle Jets v Western Sydney Wanderers at McDonald Jones Stadium, 7.30pm
Head to head: Wanderers 8, Jets 7, drawn 6
Last clash: Round 24, 2018-19 - Jets 3-2 at McDonald Jones Stadium
Jets are rested from a bye, which came frustratingly after their first win of the season. They've scored a lone goal in every game, which may be enough to knock over a Wanderers side whose early bubble has burst via successive defeats. Markus Babbel admits he lost it with his profanity-laden reaction to last week's 3-2 loss to Melbourne City. A possible return for injured defender Matthew Jurman might improve his mood.
Key: Kwame Yeboah - On his day, the Wanderers front man can be a real handful, as was the case with his double strike last week in a losing cause.
Tip: Jets
SUNDAY, Dec 1
Western United v Sydney FC at GMHBA Stadium, 4pm
Head to head: never played
Last clash: never played
A win or draw would send the Sky Blues top of the standings and, on form, few would bet against that. Following last week's dissection of Perth they've made the best start to a title defence through seven rounds of any team in A-League history. Western United's early glow is fading after successive 1-0 losses to the Jets and Mariners, who they probably banked on getting points from.
Key: Milos Ninkovic - The Serbian schemer is starting to unearth his best for Sydney, snaring his team a penalty against Perth before bagging the winning goal last week.
Tip: Sydney
Adelaide United v Wellington Phoenix at Coopers Stadium, 6pm
Head to head: Adelaide 19, Phoenix 8, drawn 10
Last clash: Round 24, 2018-19 - Adelaide 3-1 at Coopers Stadium
Adelaide have notched four straight wins for the first time since May 2016 and it's five if you include their FFA Cup final triumph. Riley McGree can't stop scoring and it will be a boilover if Wellington can conjure a first win in the teams' last 12 matches. The visitors showed some pluck in beating Brisbane last week and could lift again if they can get striker Gary Hooper on the park.
Key: Michael Jakobsen - While McGree and co win the plaudits for Adelaide up front, their Danish centre back has been a clearance machine.
Tip: Adelaide
BYE: Melbourne City
