Australia - A League (13-14 Oct)

[davidmphill]

Saturday 14 October 2006
	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
Newcastle v New Zealand Knights (10:00 BST)	1.90	3.25	3.50	112%	Related markets...Match Result
Friday 13 October 2006
	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
Central Coast Mariners v Sydney (11:00 BST)	3.30	3.25	1.95	113%	Related markets...Match Result

[Beejayville]

Hyundai A-League 2006/07 - Round 8 Fixtures

Fri 13 Oct, Central Coast Mariners v Sydney FC Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium (Kick-Off 8:00pm (AEST))
Sat 14 Oct, Newcastle Jets v New Zealand Knights EnergyAustralia Stadium (Kick-Off 7:00pm (AEST))
Sun 15 Oct, Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United Telstra Dome (Kick-Off 5:00pm (AEST))
Sun 15 Oct, Perth Glory v Queensland Roar Members Equity Stadium (Kick-Off 5:00pm (AWST))

[Beejayville]

Was checking the A League rateform figures for Round 7 and they were quite accurate. Adelaide won at around $1.80 and Melbourne won at the good odds of $1-80. It predicted three winners and a close game between Sydney and Queensland which ended in a draw.

	Round 7	%					%
1060	Adelaide United	55	$1.82	3	1	$2.22	45	CC Mariners	855
879	Perth Glory	56	$1.79	1	0	$2.25	44	NZ Knights	683
1264	Sydney FC	49	$2.04	1	1	$1.96	51	Queensland Roar	1301
876	Newcastle Jets	33	$3.03	0	2	$1.49	67	Melbourne Victory	1766
	Round 8	%					%
742	CC Mariners	36	$2.78	?	?	$1.56	64	Sydney FC	1341
709	Newcastle Jets	55	$1.82	?	?	$2.22	45	NZ Knights	591
1933	Melbourne Victory	62	$1.61	?	?	$2.63	38	Adelaide United	1173
971	Perth Glory	41	$2.44	?	?	$1.69	59	Queensland Roar	1378

I am providing rateform figures this week because of accuracy of last week and figures might be starting to settle a bit.

This week it suggests Sydney, Melbourne, and Queensland easily, while it rates the Jets a better team than the Knights.

This is purely meant as a guide only based on a ratings formula for games played that rewards consistent teams, but also rewards teams with lesser points if they have good results against teams with higher points.

[Beejayville]

TEAM NEWS FOR ROUND 8

Adelaide
United welcome back Shengqing Qu from suspension and Travis Dodd also returns from Socceroos duties. Coach John Kosmina will have to decide whether to throw Qu back into the side or leave it unchanged after Adelaide's impressive win against the central Coast Mariners last Friday night.

CC Mariners
The Central Coast Mariners have been boosted by the return of experienced trio Wayne O’Sullivan, Stewart Petrie and Tony Vidmar for tomorrow’s (Friday, 13 October) crucial derby match up with inaugural Hyundai A-League Champions Sydney FC at Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium. Each of the aforementioned three were absent from the Mariners’ 3-1 loss to Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium a week ago – the Mariners’ heaviest loss this season.

NZ Knights
The NZ Knights continue to be frustrated by a complete lack of response in Ghana to repeated requests for an International Transfer Certificate for Hamza Mohammed. The international midfielder who played alongside Michael Essien (Chelsea) during Ghana's World Cup qualifying campaign was a coup signing for Knights Manager Paul Nevin and arrived at the Knights two and a half weeks ago after agreeing terms for a short term spell as a replacement for the injured Jonas Salley but has not yet kicked a ball for the club.

Sydney FC
Sydney FC midfielder Alex Brosque is anxious to make an instant impact when he returns for Sydney FC’s clash with the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford tomorrow, after spending 10 days with the Socceroos. Brosque and fellow midfielder Mark Milligan were members of the Socceroo side that drew 1-1 with Paraguay and defeated Bahrain 2-0. Brosque and Milligan have been added to the 15-man squad that drew 1-1 with Queensland Roar last weekend with Butcher waiting until tomorrow (Friday) before naming his 15-man squad and starting line up.

Brosque’s return will also allow extra room for Italian striker Benito Carbone as the Mariners will not be able to blanket defend the Italian as they did last weekend due to Brosque’s presence.

Queensland Roar
Not much news bu Captian Chad Gibson has vowed to fight on and regain his place in the starting line-up after being left out of last week’s 1-1 draw against Sydney FC.

Newcastle Jets
The Jets take on fellow strugglers the New Zealand Knights in Round 8 of the Hyundai A-League. Speaking at training today, Jets striker Joel Griffiths commented on the fact that the Jets are looking forward to putting the past week's events behind them with a strong performance on the field. When asked about the prospect of returning from suspension and the upcoming match against the Knights, Griffiths said: “I’m definitely looking forward to it and getting amongst it again. Hopefully we can come away with a good win. There’s been a lot of changes this week and I’m just a little bit nervous of not being sent off again.”

Perth Glory
Not much news and would think Lazaridis will be back in the side which is a great boost.

Melbourne
Melbourne’s will be boosted by the return of Qantas Socceroo Archie Thompson to the squad; after he missed last weeks match due to international commitments. Steve Pantelidis and Mark Byrnes have both been called up for the Round 8 clash. Eye-catching defender Adrian Leijer will miss the match after receiving his fourth yellow card against Newcastle, while James Robinson's short-term contract ended following the announcement that Thompson would play this week.

[miguel_hamburglar]

I like three draws and a Melbourne win, I'd do more analysis but I am taking a short leave from the PL as of tomorrow, flat out like a lizard drinking for the next few weeks, but I'll pop in to gloat when Melbourne win.

My tip for the week is to follow Ads, he is on fire all over the traps, making some seriously good tips, wish I'd followed on the NBL tonight, Slingers are now my pet hate of the week.

Anyway, last thoughts are to keep ALL Money Away from the Jets this weekend, manager sackings are bad for punting, aside from that BOL to everyone!

[Beejayville]

CURRENT ODDS FOR A LEAGUE ROUND 8

			1	X	2
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS			$3.45	$3.25	$2.00	SYDNEY FC
			1	X	2
NEWCASTLE UNITED JETS			$1.65	$3.45	$5.00	NEW ZEALAND KNIGHTS
			1	X	2
MELBOURNE VICTORY			$1.80	$3.30	$4.20	ADELAIDE UNITED
			1	X	2
PERTH GLORY			$2.30	$3.20	$2.85	QUEENSLAND ROAR

[Beejayville]

Central Coast Mariners v Sydney FC
Thursday, 12 October, 2006 - 4:00PM

Head-to-head
Five league meetings: Sydney - 3 wins, Central Coast - 1 win, 1 draw

Previous meeting
Sydney 1 Central Coast 0 (Aussie Stadium, Hyundai A-League round one, August 2006)

Last five results
Central Coast: Draw - Loss - Draw - Win - Loss
Sydney: Draw - Draw - Win - Win - Draw

Analysis

The Central Coast Mariners might feel they haven't received their share of fortune in the past two encounters with defending champion Sydney FC.

For large parts of last season's grand final - before half-time certainly - Lawrie McKinna's side had chances to open the scoring and it was a similar story in this season's curtain-raiser at Aussie Stadium when goalkeeper Clint Bolton was generally regarded as man-of-the-match.

Statistics highlight that the Central Coast has beaten Sydney just once in seven previous meetings, though, and has never so much as picked up a point at home against its southern rivals contrary to its usual strong form at Bluetongue Stadium.

An ever-changing line-up has not helped McKinna's cause so the Scottish coach will be glad to welcome back first-teamers Tony Vidmar from international duty (for the final time) and compatriot Stewart Petrie.

Even with Petrie deployed on the left flank as in recent weeks, the Central Coast has an abundance of attacking options in legendary goalscorer Damian Mori, Adam Kwasnik, Tom Pondeljak and John Hutchinson.

And McKinna will also be delighted to have Wayne O'Sullivan back in contention on the right side after an ankle injury has restricted him to one league start this season although Andre Gumprecht (knee) and Nik Mrdja (knee) remain on the casualty list.

Damien Brown, Vuko Tomasevic and Mile Jedinak all make way.

Sydney coach Terry Butcher will be tempted to revert to the 4-2-3-1 system against the Mariners, a switch aided by the returning Socceroos Alex Brosque and Mark Milligan, neither of who played internationally in midweek. Jeremy Brockie drops out.

The experiment of playing under-20 international defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley in midfield against the Roar might be canned following Milligan's return with Topor-Stanley in line to resume his central defensive partnership with Mark Rudan.

Despite a series of personnel setbacks on and off the field, Sydney has still lost just once all season.

[Beejayville]

Hyundai A-League Squads
Round 8 Squads

Central Coast Mariners v Sydney FC
Friday 13 October, 8.00pm AEST (9.00pm AEDT (Tas), 7.30pm ACST, 6.00pm AWST)
Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium, Gosford

Central Coast Squad: 20. Danny Vukovic (gk), 2. Wayne O’Sullivan, 3. Paul O’Grady, 4. Noel Spencer (Capt), 7. John Hutchinson, 8. Jamie McMaster, 10. Tom Pondeljak, 12. Stewart Petrie, 13. Tony Vidmar, 15. Andrew Clark, 17. Matthew Osman, 18. Alex Wilkinson, 19. Adam Kwasnik, 25. Damian Mori, 30. Matthew Trott (gk)

In: Stewart Petrie (promoted), Tony Vidmar (return from international duty), Wayne O’Sullivan (promoted)
Out: 11. Damien Brown (omitted), 14. Vuko Tomasevic (omitted), 23. Mile Jedinak (omitted)

Unavailable: 1. John Crawley (hip – 12 weeks), 6. Andre Gumprecht (knee – 4 weeks), 9. Nick Mrdja (knee – 2 weeks), 16. Nigel Boogaard (osteitis pubis – 6 weeks)

Sydney FC Squad: 1. Clint Bolton (gk), 2. Iain Fyfe, 3. Alvin Ceccoli, 4. Mark Rudan (Capt), 6. Ufuk Talay, 8. Ruben Zadkovich, 9. David Zdrilic, 10. Steve Corica, 11. Sasho Petrovski, 14. Alex Brosque, 15. Terry McFlynn, 16. Mark Milligan, 20. Justin Pasfield (gk), 21. Nikolai Topor-Stanley, 22. Matthew Bingley, 23. Benito Carbone *one to be omitted

In: 14. Alex Brosque & 16. Mark Milligan (both return from international duty)
Out: 13. Jeremy Brockie (omitted)

Unavailable: 12. David Carney (shoulder – 3 weeks), Jacob Timpano (groin – 2 weeks), Robbie Middleby (collarbone – 3 weeks)

Impending stats, facts and trivia
The Hyundai A-League's two most experienced Australian players - in terms of years played at national league level - will front up against each other this weekend, more than 18 years after confronting each other for the first time. Tony Vidmar (CCM) and Matthew Bingley (SFC) both played in the 1989 Australian national league season; and in fact Bingley was in the opposing side when Vidmar made his debut national league appearance, for Adelaide City against St George in April 1989.


Newcastle Jets v New Zealand Knights
Saturday 14 October, 7.00pm AEST (8.00pm AEDT (Tas), 6.30pm ACST, 5.00pm AWST)
EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle

Newcastle Squad: 20. Ben Kennedy (gk); 2. Steve Eagleton, 3. Jade North, 5. Milton Rodriguez, 6. Andrew Durante, 8. Matt Thompson, 9. Vaughan Coveny, 10. Nick Carle, 12. Paul Okon (Capt), 15. Stuart Musialik, 16. Labinot Haliti, 18. Joel Griffiths, 19. Mark Bridge, 24. Paul Kohler *one to be omitted

In: 3. Jade North (returns from international duty), 9. Vaughan Coveny (returns from hamstring injury), 18. Joel Griffiths (returns from suspension)
Out: 13. Adam D’Apuzzo (omitted), 17. Tolgay Ozbey (omitted)

Unavailable: 4. Craig Deans (knee – season), 14. Jobe Wheelhouse (ankle – 4-10 weeks), 22. Steven Old (hamstring – 1 week)

New Zealand Squad: 1. Danny Milosevic (gk); 2. Darren Bazeley (Capt), 4. Che Bunce, 6. Neil Emblen, 7. Richard Johnson, 8. Scot Gemmill, 10. Sean Devine, 11. Jonti Richter, 15. Adam Casey, 16. Noah Hickey, 18. Michael White, 19. Sime Kovacevic, 20. Michael Turnbull (gk)

In: Che Bunce (return from suspension)
Out: 14. Malik Buari (hamstring – 1 week), 17. Frank van Eijs (omitted)

Unavailable: 3. Greg Duruz (suspended – 1 week), 5. Matt Carbon (groin – 4 weeks), 9. Dani Rodrigues (injured - ?), 13. Jonas Salley (ankle – 3 weeks)

Impending stats, facts and trivia
Newcastle (11 goals against) and New Zealand (16 goals against) have the Hyundai A-League's leakiest defences after Round 7. These two teams also contain the two players who have committed the most fouls so far in Hyundai A-League 2006/07 season, New Zealand's Richard Johnson (who has committed 18 fouls) and Newcastle's Nick Carle (committed 16 fouls).


Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United
Sunday 15 October, 5.00pm AEST (6.00pm AEDT (Tas), 4.30pm ACST, 3.00pm AWST)
Telstra Dome, Melbourne

Melbourne Squad: 1. Michael Theoklitos (gk), 2. Kevin Muscat (Capt), 3. Daniel Piorkowski, 4. Mark Byrnes, 6. Steve Pantelidis, 8. Fred, 9. Daniel Allsopp, 10. Archie Thompson, 12. Rod Vargas, 13. Kristian Sarkies, 14. Adrian Caceres, 16. Simon Storey, 17. Grant Brebner, 18. Alessandro, 19. Claudinho, 20. Eugene Galekovic (gk) *one to be omitted

In: 4. Mark Byrnes (promoted), 6. Steve Pantelidis (promoted), 10. Archie Thompson (return from international duty)
Out: 15. Adrian Leijer (suspended – 1 week), 21. James Robinson (end of short-term contract)

Unavailable: Nil

Adelaide Squad: 1. Daniel Beltrame (gk), 2. Richard Alagich, 3. Kristian Rees, 4. Angelo Costanzo, 5. Michael Valkanis, 6. Ross Aloisi (Capt), 8. Carl Veart, 9. Matthew Kemp, 12. Greg Owens, 13. Travis Dodd, 15. Nathan Burns, 16. Bobby Petta, 19. Shengqing Qu 20, Robert Bajic (gk), 21. Jason Spagnuolo, 25. Bruce Djite

In: Travis Dodd (return from international duty) , Shengqing Qu (return from suspension)
Out: 17. Adam van Dommele (omitted)

Unavailable: 7. Lucas Pantelis (knee – season), 10. Fernando (knee – 4 weeks), Dez Giraldi (thigh – 1 week)

Impending stats, facts and trivia
- Melbourne Victory will be aiming to equal Australia's all-time record of consecutive wins at national league level - nine - after creating a new Hyundai A-League record of eight straight victories last week. In the old national league a record winning streak of nine matches occurred three times: by Sydney Olympic (in 1984), South Melbourne (1984 through to 1985) and Sydney United (1996).
- Melbourne's GRANT BREBNER is set to make his 250 national league appearance. Brebner's previous clubs include Scottish teams Hibernian (132 league appearances) and Dundee United (60) and English sides Cambridge United (6), Reading (39) and Stockport (6).
- Adelaide's MATTHEW KEMP is due to make his 100th Australian national league appearance. The Adelaide midfielder, who recently returned from injury, played 84 matches in the old national league and has so far made 15 Hyundai A-League appearances.


Perth Glory v Queensland Roar
Sunday 15 October, 5.00pm AWST (8.00pm AEDT (Tas), 7.00pm AEST, 6.30pm ACST)
Members Equity Stadium, Perth

Perth Squad: 1. Jason Petkovic (gk); 3. David Tarka, 4. Simon Colosimo, 5. Jamie Harnwell (Capt), 6. Jeremy Christie, 7. Mislav Saric, 8. David Micevski, 9. Luka Glavas, 10. Bobby Despotovski, 11. Stan Lazaridis, 12. Leo Bertos, 13. Ante Kovacevic, 14. Jamie Coyne, 16. Adrian Webster, 17. Stuart Young, 19. Naum Sekulovski, 20. Aleks Vrteski (gk) *two to be omitted

In: Stan Lazaridis (return from international duty)
Out:
Unavailable: 15. Mark Robertson (groin – 4 weeks)

Queensland Squad: 1. Tom Willis (gk), 2. Andrew Packer, 3. Remo Buess, 5. Josh McCloughan (capt), 6. Stuart McLaren, 7. Marcus Wedau, 8. Massimo Murdocca, 9. Simon Lynch, 10. Ante Milicic, 11. Reinaldo, 13. Spase Dilevski, 15. Matt McKay, 16. Hyuk-Su Seo, 18. Dario Vidosic, 19. Sasa Ognenovski, 20. Liam Reddy (gk), *one to be omitted

In: Remo Buess (promoted)
Out: Nil

Unavailable: 12. Yuning Zhang (overseas)

Impending stats, facts and trivia
- Perth will be aiming for their third straight win. Remarkably, only three of the eight Hyundai A-League teams have ever managed three wins in a row - last year's premiers Adelaide United, last year's champions Sydney FC and this season's current leading team Melbourne Victory.
- Perth have not been held scoreless at Members Equity Stadium for their past seven Hyundai A-League matches; the last visiting team to keep Glory scoreless in Perth was in fact Queensland Roar, in Round 17 of the Hyundai A-League 2005/06 season.