This weekend’s action is going to be sensational! After tucking in to a great feed on Christmas Day, football fans can sit back on Boxing Day and watch the top 4 A-League teams duel it out. Central Coast host Adelaide in a game between 3rd and 2nd, while top team Brisbane welcomes the visiting Gold Coast. Then on the public holiday Monday, 5th place Melbourne host 6th place Newcastle. In the other match, the main interest will be around Wellington, and can the Phoenix win on this side of the Tasman?
This column’s suggested bets recorded a 4th straight profit last weekend. Hopefully the trend continues again this week!
Because Christmas Day falls on a Saturday this year, this weekend’s A-League action actually kicks off on Thursday night. This column hasn’t had time to properly analyse the form for the early clash between Sydney and Melbourne Heart. I think Heart will struggle with their second successive away match, but Sydney aren’t really in the best of form. Perhaps a draw might be a worthwhile bet.
Sunday (Boxing Day) Night
Central Coast Mariners v Adelaide United (AEDT 1800)
Despite being 2nd on the league table, Adelaide have a dismal record away from home this season. In fact, they have lost 5 of their last 6 away fixtures. Both teams were in action midweek. Central Coast won 1-0 at home to North Queensland, while Adelaide were beaten 4-2 in Perth. Central Coast frontman Adam Kwasnik has been in lethal form, the striker notching 8 goals in his last 8 games. He is well worth a go to score at anytime at $3.00. Adelaide are in the middle of a bad spell at the moment and I don’t think they will get out of it until they return to Hindmarsh.
Andy’s Bet: Central Coast to win @ 2.10 (TAB Sportsbet)
Andy’s Bet: Adam Kwasnik to score @ 3.00 (Centrebet)
Brisbane Roar v Gold Coast United (AEDT 1815)
Can anyone stop Brisbane? I don’t think they can. The season’s surprise packet have stretched their unbeaten run to 17 games! They will be tested by a solid Gold Coast outfit, but I can’t bet against a team with an in form strike partnership of Kosta Barbarouses and Jean Carlos Solorzano. Barbarouses scored twice last weekend, while Solorzano has gone now 3 games without a goal. Before that the Costa Rican banged in 7 goals in just 4 games. I get the feeling he is due for a goal.
Andy’s Bet: Brisbane to win @ 2.05 (TAB Sportsbet)
Andy’s Bet: Jean Carlos Solorzano to score @ 3.00 (Centrebet)
Monday Night
Melbourne Victory v Newcastle Jets (AEDT 1800)
Poor old Archie Thompson. The exciting Melbourne striker had just been coming back to his best form before injuring his hamstring scoring the opening goal in a 2-0 win against Perth last week. Defender Matthew Kemp is also on the sidelines after straining his groin last week. I think that Robbie Kruse will really miss his striking buddy. Kruse has netted 5 times in recent weeks and was benefiting from more freedom as other sides put more energy into stopping Thompson. I think Newcastle will come with a plan to stifle Melbourne and hopefully steal a draw. I think they could be successful.
Andy’s Bet: Draw @ 3.40 (TAB Sportsbet)
North Queensland Fury v Wellington Phoenix (AEDT 2015)
Can Wellington win an away match? They sit 7th and only just outside the finals places. If they are to make the finals, they need to start winning on the road. An under strength North Queensland has fought well for some recent wins and they are nearly off the bottom of the table. The Fury host a Phoenix side missing leading scorer Paul Iffil. They should regain captain Andrew Durante from suspension even though coach Ricki Herbert has been hinting at a reluctance to change a winning team. I think this will be tight, probably a draw, and possibly 1-1.
Andy’s Bet: Draw @ 3.40 (TAB Sportsbet)
Andy’s Bet: 1-1 @ 7.00 (TAB Sportsbet)