The finals are in sight and it’s full steam ahead through Round 20 of Australia’s foremost football competition, the A-League.
With full respect to both clubs, the Mariners and Roar have each been awful this season so it is fair to assume that the quality of competition will only improve from Friday night’s round-opener.
All sights will be on set on Melbourne on Saturday night when the Victory and City square off for the twenty-ninth time, but we’ll also be treated to great matches between the Phoenix and Sydney, and Wanderers and Glory respectively.
Mariners
Last 5 Matches: LLLLD
Ladder Position: 10th
Goal Difference: -24 (GF 19, GA 43)
Roar
Last 5 Matches: DDLWL
Ladder Position: 9th
Goal Difference: -20 (GF 23, GA 43)
It’s ninth versus tenth when the Mariners host the Roar on Friday and that doesn’t instil a lot of confidence that we’re going to be treated to much. Neither side has been trustworthy from a betting perspective and I really can’t find an angle that I’m keen to pursue, so more than happy to stay out of this one.
Phoenix
Last 5 Matches: LWLDD
Ladder Position: 6th
Goal Difference: 0 (GF 26, GA 26)
Sydney
Last 5 Matches: WLWLD
Ladder Position: 3rd
Goal Difference: +11 (GF 33, GA 22)
This looks like being one of the better matches of the round and just what the doctor ordered after what looks like being a snoozer between the Mariners and Roar first-up. The Phoenix look to have done enough to make this season’s final and they mustered another admirable performance and draw against the Victory at home last week. They face a Sydney side that while good, have been underperforming a little of late and I am therefore happy to sit on the fence. Important to note that this is actually being played in Campbelltown, due to a lack of venues in New Zealand.
Victory
Last 5 Matches: DWWLD
Ladder Position: 2nd
Goal Difference: +17 (GF 41, GA 24)
City
Last 5 Matches: WLLDL
Ladder Position: 5th
Goal Difference: +1 (GF 23, GA 22)
A good old-fashioned Melbourne Derby on a Saturday night and typically, plenty to look forward to. The Victory are the real deal again this season, but their form has slipped just slightly in the last couple of weeks and they will be eager to return to winning form at the expense of their crosstown rivals. I’d prefer to see City string a few together before taking them in head-to-head betting against an opponent of this quality and I think that this is the Victory’s to lose.
Jets
Last 5 Matches: WLWDW
Ladder Position: 7th
Goal Difference: -1 (GF 24, GA 25)
Adelaide
Last 5 Matches: DWWDL
Ladder Position: 4th
Goal Difference: +3 (GF 27, GA 24)
The Jets have started to recapture a bit of the form that delivered a Grand Final berth last season, but is it all too little, too late? No. there’s plenty of time for them to close the gap on the Phoenix, but they simply need to win matches like this one if they are any hope. The Reds suffered probably their most disappointing loss of the season to the Wanderers in Adelaide last weekend and this looms as a tougher prospect.
Wanderers
Last 5 Matches: LDLWW
Ladder Position: 8th
Goal Difference: -12 (GF 29, GA 41)
Glory
Last 5 Matches: DWWWW
Ladder Position: 1st
Goal Difference: +25 (GF 42, GA 17)
We have to wait until the final match of the round to see the league-leading Perth Glory in action again but given how effective their Round 20 opponents have been in the last couple of weeks, this looks like being a ripper. This is obviously the hardest match that the Wanderers have been faced with but wins over the Mariners and Adelaide have seemingly filled their sails with air and they will be quietly confident. It would certainly take a braver man than me to tip against the Glory in current form and I am more than happy to take the even money on offer.