A-LEAGUE ROUND 7
The Age
Friday September 18, 2009
ADELAIDE UNITED v MELBOURNE VICTORYTonight, Hindmarsh StadiumTV: 8pm, Fox Sports 1WHAT€™S AT STAKE: Revenge for Adelaide, which lost six times to Melbourne last year, including controversial grand fi nal when Cristiano was sent off early.TEAM SHEET: Muscat is a huge inclusion for Melbourne. The champions have missedhis leadership badly. Bad boy Robbie Cornthwaite is back in the mix for the Reds, butveteran midfi elder Paul Reid is a big loss.WHO ARE YOU: Mark Rudan was well known to Victory fans in his days as Sydneycaptain, but the big stopper is back for a fi nal fl ing in the A-League and helping to bolster the Reds€™ rearguard for at least this season.VERDICT: Both teams have been far from their best this year. Melbourne should not, on form, have a lot of chance, but form counts for little when these sides meet and Muscat could just help inspire them to a seventh win over the Reds on the spin.CENTRAL COAST MARINERS v GOLD COAST UNITEDTomorrow, Bluetongue StadiumTV: 7.30pm, Fox Sports 1WHAT€™S AT STAKE: Gold Coast can stretch its advantage at the top of the table even more if it can win this battle of the Australian coastline.TEAM SHEET: Two signifi cant inclusions for the hostsas Chris Doig returns after a long absence and livewire midfi elder Michael McGlincheycomes back from international duty with the NZ national team. Gold Coast loses TahjMinniecon to the national under-20 team and must wait at least another week for Joel Porter to return.VERDICT: The Mariners like nothing better than to be underdog, even at home, but the Queenslanders might have too much class.WELLINGTON PHOENIX v NORTH QUEENSLAND FURYSunday, Westpac Stadium, WellingtonTV: 1pm, Fox Sports 1WHAT€™S AT STAKE: Wellington simply has to win its home games if it is to mount a credible championship challenge and a team with title pretensions should be able to put away the Fury after such a long road trip for the visitors.TEAM SHEET: Jon McKain is a big loss for the Kiwis and he will be missing for threeweeks. But they bring in a host of experienced names, including former Adelaidemidfi elder Diego. Scott Wilson and Paul Kohler come in for the Fury.VERDICT: Wellington should have beaten Melbourne last week and must win here.SYDNEY FC v NEWCASTLE JETSSunday, Sydney Football StadiumTV: 3pm, Fox Sports 1WHAT€™S AT STAKE: Sydney needs to restore its equilibrium after two losses, to the Gold Coast and at home to Fury. Newcastle had its bubble burst by Brisbane and needs to restore credibility. Victory would be sweet for Newcastle boss Branko Culina, sacked by Sydney in season three of the A-League.TEAM SHEET: His suspension served, Sebastian Ryall comes back into the Sydneysquad. Stuart Musialik also gets another chance while Sydney loses Danning, Jurmanand Grant to the Young Socceroos.VERDICT: Sydney should be too strong.BRISBANE ROAR V PERTH GLORYSunday, Suncorp StadiumTV: 5pm, Fox Sports 1WHAT€™S AT STAKE: Credibility for the Glory. Bullies at home, where they have a good record, but powder puffs on the road. Perth has an experienced team and needs to start picking up points away from WA.TEAM SHEET: Roar is badly hit by injury (Massimo Murdocca and Matt McKay, theircentral midfi eld) and international call ups, with Devere, Oar and Nichols away at theunder-20 World Cup. Glory recalls Scott Neville and is at full strength.VERDICT: Perth can prove the doubters wrong and start its title challenge with a win up at Suncorp.
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