Week 21 of the Hyundai A-League kicks off on Friday night and we’re now getting to the business end of the season. Just 5 rounds remain before the finals series gets underway and there is still plenty of places in that top 6 up for grabs.
The Mariners head into the last few weeks with a 5 point lead over the Brisbane Roar and also have a game in hand against Gold Coat United tonight. This lead is far from insurmountable but it will take a mighty effort from the Roar to peg them back.
Heading into this weekend, no less than 6 teams are fighting it out for the last 4 spots in that all important top 6. Sydney’s win over Adelaide last weekend all but rules them out of the running as they now sit 7 points outside the finals places. Gold Coast United have been out of it for a while and also have to contend with their coach being sacked/quitting whoever you choose to believe.
This should be a cracking weekend of football, and should set the tone for the remaining 4 weeks heading into the finals. Check out our previews of each match in this weeks Hyundai A-League below, including our tips and best bets.
Newcastle United v Adelaide United – Hyundai A-League Preview
AusGrid Stadium, Friday 24 February, 8.00pm
Newcastle head into this match on 28 points, just two points outside of the top 6. They’re still in with a massive chance of making the finals but will need to get a move on with Sydney FC and Melbourne Heart sure to put up a fight.
Adelaide United went down to Sydney FC 2-1 on Sunday to all but end their hopes of making the finals. They’ll need to pick themselves up this week and try and get as high up the table as possible. Anything can happen, and has already this season, so despite being 7 points outside the top 6 they need to continue to fight.
Newcastle have more to play for and are hard to beat at home so I think they may just put the final nail in Adelaide United’s coffin for this season.
Sydney FC v Wellington Phoenix – Hyundai A-League Preview
Sydney Football Stadium, Saturday 25 February, 5.30pm
Sydney FC head into this match on the back of two straight wins that have propelled them back into the top 6. They’ll want to end the season on a high for departing coach Vitislav Lavicka and it appears they’ve already started their run. They don’t have the best record against the Phoenix and have lost to them twice already this season, conceding 6 goals.
Wellington Phoenix have had two straight losses, albeit to league leaders the Mariners, and second placed Roar. They head into this match with no form on the board, against a Sydney FC side looking to avenge those two earlier defeats. They will have their work cut out for them here.
With Sydney FC coming into this one with a bit of form behind them I can’t see them losing. I do think that Wellington will bounce back from their two defeats though so I think this one will end in a draw.
Gold Coast United v Melbourne Victory – Hyundai A-League Preview
Skilled Park, Saturday 25 February, 7.45pm
Gold Coast United had the news of Miron Bleiberg’s departure to deal with this week which no doubt would have knocked them about a bit. There is still confusion as to whether he quit or was sacked due to comments he made to the media before Gold Coast United made the announcement. Gold Coast say he was sacked for those very comments. Whether they can pick themselves up after this is questionable, they already have the wooden spoon all but wrapped up.
Melbourne Victory will feel hard done by after their defeat to the Roar 3-2 on the weekend. A brace from star man Harry Kewell was not enough as the Victory went down in a cracking match. Carlos Hernandez also hit the crossbar to deny Victory a share of the spoils.
The Victory’s season is on a knife edge at the moment, they’re 5 points outside of the all important top 6. They should get a win here against a struggling Gold Coast who will be backing up from Wednesday night though.
Perth Glory v Brisbane Roar – Hyundai A-League Preview
Members Equity Stadium, Saturday 25 February, 9.45pm
Perth are coming off the back of a 2-0 win over Newcastle Jets at the weekend, they get the bonus of not having to travel again this week too. They currently sit in third place after a fantastic second half to the season so far.
The Roar have gotten their season back on track over the last month and will push the Mariners all the way to the final week. In their win over the Victory they displayed some of the entertaining football that saw them go 36 unbeaten. Their key players in Broich, Berisha and Nichols are on form and they will be hard to stop come finals time.
This should be a beauty, two top of the table sides slugging it out in a preview of what we can expect come the finals. With Brisbane in top form and looking to catch the Mariners I can’t go past a Roar win in this one.
Melbourne Heart v CC Mariners – Hyundai A-League Preview
AAMI Park, Sunday 26 February, 5.00pm
Melbourne Heart head into this week in 5th place, only ahead of Sydney FC on goal difference. They haven’t had the best time of it of late, but they turned their results around last week with a 1-0 win over Gold Coast United. A scrappy win, but a win nonetheless and a confidence booster.
The Mariners come into this one having got their form back on track with a win over the Phoenix last weekend. Prior to this win, the Mariners had been beaten by both the Roar and the Victory in consecutive weeks. The Mariners have a 5 point lead and a game in hand to come which could extend the lead to 8 by the time this weekends games take place.
The Mariners have been a bit shaky recently and I think they are still a bit out of form despite their last win. I think the Heart could capitalise on this but I have a feeling that both sides will share the points in this one.
Hyundai A-League Preview – sportsbanter.com.au Tips:
Newcastle United v Adelaide United – #HALjetsau – Jets
Sydney FC v Wellington Phoenix – #HALsydwp – Draw
Gold Coast United v Melbourne Victory – #HALgcumv – Victory
Perth Glory v Brisbane Roar – #HALpgbri – Roar
Melbourne Heart v CC Mariners – #HALmhccm – Draw
Hyundai A-League Preview – Banter’s Best Bets
Newcastle United v Adelaide United – Newcastle +0.5 @ $1.26
Sydney FC v Wellington Phoenix – Total Game Score Over +2.5 @ $1.83
Gold Coast United v Melbourne Victory – Victory @ $1.83
Perth Glory v Brisbane Roar – Roar + 0.5 @ $1.46
Melbourne Heart v CC Mariners – Total Game Score Under +2.5 @ $1.71







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