Fox Sports A-League Preview, Round 16

Fox Sports A-League Preview, Round 16

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26406524-5019172,00.html

A-League round 16 preview <!-- // lead story --> <!-- story -->

Fox Sports football commentator Paul Trimboli offers his thoughts and predictions for round 16 of the 2009-2010 A-League season.

Friday, November 27
Central Coast Mariners v Perth Glory, Bluetongue Stadium (8pm EDT)
An interesting game. Central Coast are going beautifully, aren't they. They're in good form and they've got a full list with Matty Simon back in action this week. Their confidence must be sky high. They've got the stingiest defence in the competition, although they did ride their luck a little bit against North Queensland Fury; the 5-1 scoreline was perhaps a little flattering. Perth, on the other hand, got a good result against Sydney FC last week, and I think they're going to have Mile Sterjovski and Victor Sikora in action from the start. But they're not great on the road and they've had a shorter turnaround. Central Coast being unbeaten at home, you've probably have to lean for the Mariners. You've got to give the Mariners credit for their form this season. They really got a little bit loose at the back last season, didn't they. And they've really addressed that. At the start of the season, they probably over-compensated a little bit. But now, they've found that bit of a mix and they're getting some drive out of midfield. They're starting to look good, aren't they.


Saturday, November 28
Melbourne Victory v Gold Coast United, Etihad Stadium (7pm EDT)
Melbourne are showing that great quality of champion teams that don't necessarily put on a great display every week but get results. Last week was a perfect example of that, in that they bounced back from a pretty embarrassing loss at home - which you expected them to do. Gold Coast, meanwhile, are looking really under-manned. Just look at the list of players who aren't available. And they had an energy-sapping match against Adelaide, having been a man short for the majority of the game. But with top spot on the line, at least until Sydney play, I think it'll be a pretty tight game. You have to go with Melbourne at home, though, don't you think.


North Queensland Fury v Adelaide United, Dairy Farmers Stadium (9pm EDT)
The Fury were embarrassed in the Central Coast game; some of their defending was fairly average. But at the same time, they showed probably some of their best attacking moments of the season. I expect they'll take some confidence from that side of things, even though they'll focus on their concentration in defence. I reckon they'll bounce back. Adelaide beat them in Townsville last time, and they can take confidence from that. And Matthew Leckie continues to improve and prove a real asset in the front line. He gives them something different, which they've been missing. But I still think, as an overall team, they haven't quite got their act together. Their balance still isn't great. And they've had some distractions, with Viddy getting himself in the headlines and the Kristian Sarkies announcement about where his future lies. On the back of all that, I reckon North Queensland, suitably chastened from last week's result, might get over the line.


Sunday, November 29
Sydney FC v Newcastle Jets, Sydney Football Stadium (5pm EDT)
Just when you think you get a read on the teams, they turn their form around; it's one of the themes of the A-League this season. And Sydney FC have done that, losing two on the trot. But there are two key things this week that'll work in their favour, I think: Stevie Corica comes back in, and he gives them great leadership and balance in the midfield; and also they're back at the SFS, where they've won four in a row. They feel really comfortable at home. As for the Jets, I can't find any kind of consistency - in terms of performance or results. They're just so up and down. And Matt Thompson announcing in the week that he won't be around won't help. You have to tip Sydney at home to bounce back after two losses,


Brisbane Roar v Wellington Phoenix, Suncorp Stadium (7pm EDT)
It was a disappointing outing for Brisbane last week. They'd had a couple of good results and seemed to be heading in the right direction, but they were a little bit loose at the back - not concentrating - and they fell back a little bit into their old ways. Phoenix, on the other hand, have lost only one in their past 11, and their confidence must be sky high. They've got themselves in the top six, but their guys who were involved in the World Cup win might have been playing on adrenaline last week and they may have a little bit of a letdown this week. I think it'll be a tight game, and maybe a draw.

Really good to see that Trimboli has not tipped Phoenix for the win, becuase get this ...
He has correctly predicted in each of the last three rounds, wait for it, zero results

That's right - 3 rounds (13,14,15) = 15 matches, total correct predictions ...
0, Nada, Zilch, NOT A SAUSAGE.

In fact I analysed right back to round 8, and there are a total of 6 correct predictions out of 40 matches. Not that flash really. Yet what he writes, reads perfectly well!

4 in a row Paul. You can do it.

(this post is more a celebration of the unpredictability of football than a dig at Mr Tromboli)

" but their guys who were involved in the World Cup win might have been playing on adrenaline last week and they may have a little bit of a letdown this week."

Have we only lost once in the last 11 ? Eh, that's a mean record.

Well, I was surprised that he didn't write that Nix has never beaten Roar in A- league.

Put money on an upset newcastle win and the phoenix :P

Nothing to 'clear up', just curious.  Will the new Melbourne team be in your neck of the woods at all?  Appreciate your perspective.  The neutral is useful, helps people see the extent of the politics in the area.

Both offices of the new Melbourne team are Inner-City based. There was talk of the new team being Eastern suburbs based, but it appears not.

I like the look of the new team, in that it's trying to be a proper football club, but on Saturday at Eithad for the Gold Coast game, the joint went off with the seats in, it was great.

MVFC have a retail shop on Swan Street, Richmond, VIC as well. Their admin offices are in Richmond, and will move to the new rectangular stadium once it's finished (NOTE: they had to push the start date back a bit because the panels used for the 'bubble' are custom made and can't be duplicated. You didn't hear it from me though :)

The Tards shop is pretty cool, I loved Swan Street.

Next time you're there, go around the corner to Fruscolino's in Church Street, one of the best pizza's in Melbourne.

Other pizza joint I recommend here is Topolino's in Fitzroy Street, St Kilda. Quality pizza at 4am after your night out.

Can'r remember the place I went to for chocolate pizza, but my uncle said it's the best in Melbs.

I'm heading our for pizza now, I'll give you an update.