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Melbourne Victory 2017

A-League Tips: Season 18/19 Preview

Tagged: A-League Tips

Another Melbourne Victory?

Now that the two major footy codes are done and dusted for another year, the focus for Aussie sports punters shifts to the A-League.  

The 2018/19 season kicks off this weekend and with so many squad overhauls in the off-season, punters are left pondering plenty of questions before a ball is kicked.

This is great news for punters however as there is plenty of value to be found in the futures markets for the 2018/19 campaign.

Will the Victory defend their title, or will we witness another team hoist the "Toilet Seat" trophy?

 

The Big Boys

Sydney FC

Minor Premiership A-League Odds: $3

Outright Winner A-League Odds: $4.50 

It's a new era for the Sky Blues, with their head coach of five years Graham Arnold departing and taking up the head coaching gig with the Socceroos.

New Sydney FC gaffer Steve Corica is no stranger to the club, having worked both as an assistant to Arnold and in the top job himself.

This is good news for Sky Blue fans, as it will ensure a continuity between the success of previous years and this campaign.

Having said that, it will be hard for Corica to replicate the record breaking 20-win seasons of 2016/17 and 2017/18. 

Especially as the Sydneysiders will have to adjust to a trio of new home stadiums while the SFS is being rebuilt.

There have been key departures in Sydney FC's attack, with last campaign's top scorer Bobo, as well as creative maestro Adrian Mierzejewski leaving the club.

However, they are replaced with two superb signings, with Dutch marquee Siem de Jong and experienced English striker Adam le Fondre more than capable of finding the back of the net.

Alongside the supreme technical skill of former Johnny Warren medallist Milos Ninkovic, the Sydney side should have no trouble in the goals department.

But, you can't expect this new trio to click from day dot, so look elsewhere for the minor premier.

 

Melbourne Victory

Minor Premiership A-League Odds: $4.50

Outright Winner A-League Odds: $5

After a largely underwhelming season that saw them finish fourth, the Victory hit their straps in the finals and went all the way.

Expect them to be right up there again, especially off the back of some superb signings.   

Japanese superstar Keisuke Honda is the undoubted big-name signing of the offseason (unless Usain Bolt earns a contract with the Mariners), and he will look to show why.

Still only 32 years old, Honda still has plenty to offer, and will look to create a partnership with fellow new recruit Ola Toivenen.

Despite lacking the star power of Honda, Toivenen is just as capable with the round ball, and just like Honda, coming in fresh off an impressive World Cup showing. 

The Swede will be looking to establish himself as a fan favourite in the absence of former Victory number nine Besert Berisha.

With the Kevin Muscat tenacity and a number of key players still a part of the Victory squad, don't be surprised if they go back to back.

But like Sydney, it may take a month or two before the Victory start to play at their peak.

Remember, the Melbournians didn't record a win until Round 7 last season, before eventually going on to claim the title.

 

Other Contenders

Melbourne City

Minor Premiership A-League Odds: $5

Outright Winner A-League Odds: $6 

Since being taken over by the cashed-up City group, there has been a string of solid seasons from Melbourne's other team.

There has been a steady trend of improvement in this time, with Melbourne City finishing 5th, 4th, 4th and 3rd in their past four campaigns.

Even though City lost young Socceroos revelation Daniel Arzani in the offseason, they still have plenty of quality in their side.

Luke Brattan and Bruno Fornaroli exude class, and will be at the heart of everything positive.

New recruit Ritchie De Laet will only add more class to the side, and bolster a defence that started to click towards the tail end of last season.

Melbourne City's defence kept 4 clean sheets in their last 6 A-League games. 

Head coach Warren Joyce will be looking to base his side's game off the back of this defensive solidity.

But for City fans looking for a bit of flair in the absence of Arzani, don't fret, because young talent Riley McGree also joins the side.

Who could forget McGree's scorpion-kick screamer earlier this year, that was unlucky not to win the prestigious FIFA Puskas award for goal of the year.

With this mix of talent and class, the sky is the limit for Melbourne City.

 

Perth Glory

Minor Premiership A-League Odds: $9.50

Outright Winner A-League Odds: $8 

The undoubted dark horse of the competition is Perth Glory, who are looking to put an end to years of underachievement. 

They have brought in just the right man to do the job, with former Western Sydney Wanderers coach Tony Popovic taking the reigns.

Popovic was instrumental in bringing immediate success to the Wanderers. He took them to three grand finals, not to mention claiming the title as the best team in Asia- a feat that no other A-League club has managed. 

This success was built off the back of an impenetrable and rock-solid defence.

One of Popovic's first signings for the Glory was Matthew Spiranovic, the imposing centre-back who was a part of the Wanderers Asian Champions League-winning side. 

But the best piece of recruitment was bringing in Chris Ikonomidis.

Ikonomidis failed to get a look in to the senior team at Lazio, which is no disgrace in one of Europe's top leagues. 

Expect this attacking midfielder to tear it up in the A-League.

He will look to foster an attacking relationship with Spaniard Diego Castro, who has long been the creator-in-chief for the Glory. 

While Castro isn't getting any younger, his technical ability ranks right up there as the best in the league.

If it all comes together, Perth will be on the way to their maiden A-League premiership.

 

Newcastle Jets

Minor Premiership A-League Odds: $11

Outright Winner A-League Odds: $9 

Based on last year's performance, you have to include the Jets in your calculations.

The Novacastrians surprised everyone, making it all the way to the grand final, where they went down to the Victory.

And with a similar squad heading in this time, logic says that the Jets have to be given a chance of going one better.

Especially as their marquee signing Ronald Vargas only managed to feature in nine games last season.

A broken leg meant that he missed a huge chunk of the Jets' terrific season.

If he can stay on the park, the Jets will be an arguably better side this time around.

However, they will have to cope without young talent Riley McGree, as well as suspended striker Roy O'Donovan who is out for two months following this indiscretion in the 2017/8 grand final.

While it's hard to see the Jets making another grand final, they should have a solid season.

The Rest

Adelaide United

The return of Craig Goodwin is a definite boost for the Reds. His pace and sweet left boot can be damaging, and he will only be an improved player after a two-year spell with Sparta Rotterdam.

The Reds are more than capable of making the top six. But last season's results suggest that they are too unpredictable to get behind with any confidence.

Brisbane Roar

John Aloisi faces an uphill battle to make the finals with a squad that is lacking the depth of other clubs.

The experience of Michael Theo, Ivan Franjic, Jade North and Fahid Ben Khalfallah all departed Brisbane in the off-season. While a more youthful side was required, these departures will be a big blow nonetheless. 

Central Coast Mariners

Despite all the Usain Bolt hype, Mariners fans must know that he isn't looking like a football player at this stage.

However, the signing or Ross McCormack on a loan deal was a great piece of business. The former Scottish international scored 14 goals with Melbourne City last season, and will be a force to be reckoned with up top. 

Wellington Phoenix

The Nix's continued survival in the A-League has been hanging by a thread for a few seasons now, and their current squad of players doesn't suggest they will avoid the wooden spoon this time.

However, young Sarpreet Singh showed what he is capable of last campaign, and look for a big year from the rising star.

Western Sydney Wanderers

The Wanderers haven't looked like the same team since they were forced out of Parramatta Stadium due to its redevelopment, which isn't scheduled to be complete until 2019.

But fans will be pleased with a number of good signings, as well as the club's ability to keep hold of talented Dutch midfielder Roly Bonevacia. They are capable of surprising.

 

A-League Tips

A-League Tip Melbourne Victory to win the Grand Final @ $5

A-League Tip Perth Glory to finish 1st or 2nd in the regular season @ $3.80

 

Reasoning:

If Victory can go all the way off the back of a mediocre season like they did in 2017/8, even a slight improvement would see them favourites to repeat the dose this time. 

Perth have consistently shown glimpses of what they are capable of in previous campaigns, but have always been let down by their defence and inconsistency. Expect that to change under Popovic.

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