Adelaide United - Wellington Phoenix
Date: Friday 3 February 2012
Kick-off: 8.00pm AEDT, 7.30pm local
Venue: Hindmarsh Stadium
Recent Form:
Adelaide United: LDLDD
Wellington Phoenix: WWWLW
In the last 5 matches between the two, the results are 2 wins a-piece, with 1 draw. John Kosmina's job is not looking as easy as it did when he took over what seems like a decade ago. His team are 9th in the league, and unless they start bringing in the points regularly, it doesn't look like they're going to get the results they need. History is on their side as their record in Kiwiland is 7 wins, 5 draws and 3 losses. Sergio van Dijk needs to be on top form for the reds if they're going to extend that record.
Unlike Adelaide, Wellington don't have to give up any players to the Olyroos (Australian Under-23's who have their olympic qualification in the coming weeks). They also have on form players like Chris Greenacre and Ifill. I believe they are the form team in the league at the moment, and they should demolish Adelaide at the Hindmarsh stadium.
Central Coast Mariners - Brisbane Roar
Date: Saturday 4 February 2012
Kick-off: 5.30pm AEDT, 5.30pm local
Venue: Bluetongue Stadium
Recent Form:
Central Coast: WWDWW
Brisbane Roar: LDWDD
In the last 5 head to heads, the result is 3 wins for Brisbane (including one on penalties in the Grand Final last year, 1 draw and the last win to Central Coast, who of course won 2-1 in December. Earlier in the year I would have had this down as a potential title decider, but Central Coast are so far ahead, and Brisbane's form has been so lacking that I just can't see it happening. It is more of a pride game for Roar, as well as keeping up the race for 2nd. A win for them could even see Wellington get in with a better chance of winning their first Premiership.
Central Coast are undefeated in 15 games, and should their run continue, they could go on to challenge Roar's own record of...whatever it was, 30-something games unbeaten. However it is entirely possible that just this one loss could start a chain of losses - as it did to Roar themselves - and bring Mariners season crashing down around them. I wouldn't bet on it, but let's face it, who would have bet on the same thing happening to Brisbane?
Melbourne Heart - Melbourne Victory
Date: Saturday February 4
Kick-off: 7.45pm AEDT
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Recent Form:
Melbourne Heart: LDLLD
Melbourne Victory: DDLDW
Last 5 matches between these sides have ended 2 wins for Heart, 1 for Victory and 2 draws. What a difference a couple of months can make. When these two last met, Heart were looking like mounting a legitimate title challenge, whereas Victory were in dire straits and not knowing where their next points were coming from. Now it's all changed. Melbourne Heart are now without a win in 6 matches, while Victory are finally starting to get points picking up 6 out of 15 points on offer, compared to 2 points from 15 for Heart.
Both sides desparately need a win here - Heart to maintain their finals aspirations, and Victory to actually get into the finals at all. Victory have endured heartbreak and their past 2 matches, with lates goals equalisers coming against Gold Coast and Sydney, but if either team is going to turn around their poor form, this will be the match they do it in. Now that I've said that, you just know this will end as a draw.
Sydney FC - Newcastle Jets
Date: Sunday, February 5
Kick-off: 5pm AEDT
Venue: Sydney Football Stadium
Recent Form:
Sydney FC: DWDLL
Newcastle: WDLDL
Last 5 matches between these two have ended 4 wins for Sydney and a draw. This is your typical mid table clash, both sides aiming for the finals, and I can see this being a draw, possibly a Sydney win. They have the stronger, younger side, and we are consistently seeing Newcastle throwing away chances at the death.
Newcastle are the better of two evils on form (even though they both have the same number of points accrued over the last 5 matches), but they really need to dig in deep if they're going to beat a stubborn Sydney side.
Perth Glory - Gold Coast United
Date: Monday 6th February
Time: 7:00pm
Location: nib Stadium, Perth
Recent Form:
Perth Glory: WWDWW
Gold Coast: DLLDL
Last 5 matches between these teams have ended with 3 Gold Coast wins, 1 Perth win and a draw, but based on current form, I can't see anythign but a Perth win. Shane Smeltz is on fire for them, and Gold Coast...yeah they've in improved, but they're still shipping goals they should probably be stopping, and they aren't scoring enough up front either.
Unless GCU can suddenly start scoring, I have this down as a Perth win. Big time.
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