Round Five Preview (Hyundai A-League)
The A-League has started with attacking football being played. Incredibly there has been at least one goal scored in every game in the first three games. All five games this week are intriguing. All five games are interesting as in my opinion all teams are evenly matched in the five matches.
City v Sky Blues Preview
Both teams are coming into the game unbeaten after the first four rounds; City has won all four, whilst the Sky Blues have three wins and a draw. The game features arguably the two best goal keepers in the league with City conceding one goal and the Sky Blues four. It is a battle between the two teams in the league so far. It promises to be a tough and tight affair. Hopefully the intensity and tempo of the game warrants that of any League in the world.
City Game Changer: Michael Jakobsen
Sky Blues Game Changer: Andrew Redmayne
My Prediction: Sky Blues
Jets v Phoenix Preview
The Jets go into the game as one of four unbeaten teams in the League. They have played an attacking brand of football averaging 2.5 goals per game. Meanwhile the Phoenix have been in every game they have played; they have been extremely competitive and can consider themselves unlucky to have only taken two points from the first four rounds of football. This match may well prove to be an attacking, exciting game for the neutral.
Jets Game Changer: Roy O’Donovan
Phoenix Game Changer: Michael Mcglinchey
My Prediction: Jets
Glory v Reds
Both teams are clinging onto a spot in the top six with both teams desperate to hang on to a top six position; it is the classic six point game. Both sides should look to attack with the all important three points up for grabs. The Reds will be up against it with six key players out through injury! This will give a chance to Warland and Elsey to stake their claim for a permanent role in the centre of defence. Yet another intriguing game for the neutral.
Glory Game Changer: Adam Taggart
Reds Game Changer: George Blackwood
My Prediction: Draw
Roar v Mariners Preview
The Roar and Mariners features the two bottom teams in the League. Both teams have been leaking goals, so there should be plenty of goals in this one. The Roar will be without Devere, Brown and Kristensen through injury. They will rely on the likes of Ben Khalfallah and Maccarone to create opportunities in the final third, while the Mariners will need the likes of Hoole and Pain to cause damage in the eighteen yard box. It could well be the game of the round as these teams are evenly matched and have leaked a lot of goals.
Roar Game Changer: Fahid Ben Khalfallah
Mariners Game Changer: Andrew Hoole
My Prediction: Draw
Victory v Wanderers Preview
Both teams will see this game as a possible three points. This should bring about an attacking style of football. Remarkably the Wanderers are unbeaten in the first four rounds of the competition without astute manager Tony Popovic. The loss of Berisha, Barbarouses and Troisi could hurt the Victory or make them more unpredictable; time will tell. Both managers should be looking for the three points. Hopefully, the game is played at a high tempo.
Victory Game Changer: Leroy George
Wanderers Game Changer: Mark Bridge
My Prediction: Wanderers