A-LEAGUE PREVIEW - ROUND 26
Sydney Morning Herald
Friday February 5, 2010
Melbourne v North QueenslandFriday 8pm, Etihad Stadium, MelbourneSebastian Hassett's preview: What's Melbourne Victory without Archie Thompson and Kevin Muscat? We'll find out tonight when the defending champions host a desperate North Queensland Fury, intent on keeping alive their finals hopes. Ian Ferguson will have gained plenty of heart from their battling win over the Jets on Tuesday but the short turnaround will prove challenging. Maybe it will open the game up for a match-winner - possibly Carlos Hernandez or Robbie Fowler - to strike a blow. Further helping Melbourne is that Dyron Daal is injured and Ufuk Talay has been dropped.Referee:Ben WilliamsTV:Live on Fox Sports 1Head to head:Victory 1, Fury 1Betting:Victory $1.40, Fury $7, draw $4.25Central Coast v NewcastleSaturday 6pm, Bluetongue Stadium, GosfordSebastian Hassett's preview: Newcastle Jets coach Branko Culina has told his team there are no excuses for a poor performance from his side tomorrow night despite coming off a horrific wait in Townsville, where they were stranded for nearly a week. The wait surely played some part in the Jets' 2-1 loss against the Fury, a result that means Newcastle need to win one of their final two matches to ensure their place in the finals. For the hapless Mariners, four players from the club's youth team have been named and could see some game time.Referee:Peter GreenTV:Live on Fox Sports 1Head to head:Mariners 5, Jets 7, drawn 7Betting: Mariners $2.60, Jets $2.45, draw $3.40Adelaide v BrisbaneSaturday 8pm, Hindmarsh Stadium, AdelaideSebastian Hassett's preview: Brisbane are clinging to the slightest hope of making the finals but they'll need absolutely everything to go their way to scrape in. A win in Adelaide is not negotiable but following last week's victory over Sydney FC, that flicker of hope remains. Adelaide have tried to register new signing Adam Griffiths in time for the match but that appears to have fallen through, although fellow new boy Marcos Flores has been named and could get a run. With only pride at stake for the hosts, expect the visitors to give it everything.Referee:Gerard ParsonsTV:Live on Fox Sports 1Head to head: Adelaide 7, Roar 3, drawn 5Betting: Adelaide $2.45, Roar $2.60, draw $3.40Sydney v PerthSunday 5pm, Parramatta StadiumSebastian Hassett's preview: After five long years, the A-League has finally made it out to western Sydney. While the outcome of this match has potentially huge ramifications for the finals, all eyes will be on the stands. Should a big crowd turn out, it might well be enough incentive for the FFA to locate the new Sydney Rovers team at Parramatta. Sydney FC simply have to win to keep their top-two chances alive, though Perth are also aware that a home final could hold the key to their season. The Sky Blues are unchanged, but Wayne Srhoj will replace Jacob Burns for the visitors with Branko Jelic also named.Referee:Chris BeathTV:Live on Fox Sports 1Head to head: Sydney FC 4, Glory 4, drawn 6Betting: Sydney FC $1.85, Glory $4, draw $3.35Gold Coast v WellingtonSunday 7pm, Skilled Park, RobinaSebastian Hassett's preview: They might believe they're the A-League's version of Superman, but mention Wellington Phoenix to anyone at Gold Coast, and it's like kryptonite. For reasons even they can't figure out, the Phoenix have their measure, something both coach Miron Bleiberg and marquee star Jason Culina have admitted in recent weeks. Yet after copping a 6-0 belting in New Zealand in October, wounded pride will be spurring on the glitter-strip team to put in a much better showing this time around.Referee:Matthew BreezeTV:Live on Fox Sports 1Head to head:G Coast 0, Phoenix 1, drawn 1Betting: G Coast $1.60, Phoenix $5.25, draw 3.65
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