A-League Tips: Match Week 3 Preview

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• Author: Alex Christodoulou
  Nov 01, 2018 07:01 PM
• AAP

Reds to capitalize off their Goodwin

Week 2 of the A-League proved to be just as controversial as the opening round, with another VAR howler marring what was an otherwise high-quality Sydney derby.

Since this stroke of luck in the Derby, Sydney FC weren't so lucky in the FFA cup final midweek, going down to Adelaide.

Steve Corica will be looking for his men to respond in another tough away game, this time to Melbourne City.

This week's action also sees Popa's Perth host an underwhelming Brisbane Roar, and a Craig Goodwin-inspired Adelaide looking to make light work of the Mariners.

 

Melbourne City v Sydney FC

A-League Odds: City $2.60 / Draw $3.50 / Sydney FC $2.80

Not long into Steve Corica's reign as Sydney FC coach, and already he has his fair share of headaches.

Despite securing the three points against the Wanderers in the Sydney derby last week, injury-plagued marquee signing Siem de Jong tore his hamstring late on.

A few days later and the Sky Blues were unable to defend their FFA Cup title, going down to two wonder strikes from Craig Goodwin in Adelaide.

Now Corica will face selection dilemmas for this clash, as the Sydneysiders are set to play their third game in six days.

This would be a monumental challenge even for European giants blessed with world class squad depth, let alone for a club based in Australia.

Melbourne City will be licking their lips at the thought of coming up against a tired and travel-weary Sky Blues outfit.

After salvaging a draw on the Central Coast last round, Warren Joyce's men will be out for all three points here.

Especially considering that this will be their first home game of the season, where they will want to put on a good showing for their home fans.

City striker Bruno Fornaroli is yet to find the back of the net this campaign and you can't imagine it will take him much longer to hit his straps.

So far, City have been doing well in the goals department without him, with Riley McGree, Dario Vidosic and Ritchie De Laet all scoring.

With so many avenues to goal, Melbourne City's attack should be too much for Sydney's fatigued defence to handle.

However, you can bet that Warren Joyce will be more intent on ensuring that his side keeps their first clean sheet of the 2018/9 A-League season.

This will go a long way towards snapping a horrendous recent record against the Sky Blues.

Key A-League Stat

• Melbourne City have lost their last 6 encounters against the Sky Blues: Sydney FC to win @ $2.80

A-League Tip: Melbourne City to win @ $2.60

Reasoning: Fatigue will play a significant role and the Melbournians will be confident heading into their first home game of the season.

 

Perth Glory v Brisbane Roar

A-League Odds: Glory $2.00 / Draw $3.75 / Roar $3.40

While its still early days, Glory fans can be expecting big things for their club under new head coach Tony Popovic.

He has picked up four points from the first two rounds, highlighted by an impressive away win against the Victory last week.

This is a great sign for the Perth outfit, who have historically struggled on the road in the A-League.

If they can beat a team like Victory on their home turf, the sky is the limit for Popa's men.

This is especially the case considering that the Glory are yet to keep a clean sheet this season.

A strong defence is Popovic's trademark, hence there is plenty of room for improvement in the coming weeks.

Brisbane Roar will need to be on their toes, as their hosts have had no difficulty creating chances and finding the back of the net thus far.

Irish striker Andy Keogh has been as damaging as ever, scoring in both games this season.

Don't be surprised if he nabs another goal or two against a side that look like they could be on the end of a spanking here.

Brisbane have hosted both the Mariners and Phoenix in their opening two fixtures, picking up two draws.

These opponents have been touted as likely cellar-dwellers, in what doesn't read as a good form-line heading in for the Roar.

John Aloisi oversaw a massive squad overhaul in the offseason, with many of Brisbane Roar's seasoned campaigners heading for the exit.

He did bring in some quality, most notably striker Adam Taggart, who was on target in Brisbane's opening game.

Aloisi will look for a strong performance from Taggart here, who comes up against his former employers.

Key A-League stat

• Both teams have scored in the previous 6 match-ups between these sides: Both teams to score @ $1.53

A-League Tip: Perth Glory to win @ $2

Reasoning: Based on form, you couldn't tip any other result.

 

Central Coast Mariners v Adelaide United

A-League Odds: Mariners $3.30 / Draw $3.60 / United $2.10

Sunday's fixture takes us to the Central Coast, where the Mariners will hope to repel the Reds.

Adelaide will be full of confidence, coming off their 2-1 victory over Sydney FC in the FFA Cup final.

The final was all about one man, Craig Goodwin.

The Adelaide local played 55 games for the Reds before trying his luck in Europe, where he enjoyed mixed success with Sparta Rotterdam.

Coming back home for the start of the 2018/9 A-League season, Goodwin has hit the ground running.

He starred in the Cup final, unleashing two venomous strikes that had no hope of being saved.

 

After that performance, Goodwin is rightly being considered for a Socceroos call-up.

But first on his agenda will be helping his team secure three points on the Central Coast.

The Mariners were impressive last week, managing to scrape a point against a cashed-up Melbourne City side.

Scottish import Ross McCormack found the back of the net against his former side, in a promising sign for the Mariners.

However, based on the statistics, the Mariners were perhaps fortunate to escape with a point. 

The Mariners had only 4 shots at goal to City's 23, suggesting that they were outclassed on the pitch.

Against a red-hot Adelaide side, they will need to improve to get anything out of this clash.

Key A-League Stat

•  The Reds have won 4 of their last 5 encounters with Central Coast: Adelaide United to win @ $2.10

A-League Tip: Adelaide United to win @ $2.10

Reasoning: Adelaide, and Goodwin in particular, will be enjoying the prospect of another strong performance.