A-League Tipping: Round 13 – City to go top, Sydney host champions in prime time clash by StuffsEarth

The upsets keep coming, Melbourne City continues to win despite being down on troops and the bottom two show little sign of lifting themselves of the toe of the ladder.

It was a great week for the oracle like tipping of Texi Smith, nailing three from three through the weekday matches and pulling back leader Mike Tuckerman in a rousing performance.

A Victory and United Melbourne Derby kicks off the round, the Phoenix simply must beat Adelaide at home or their season be in need of life support and Melbourne City can continue their run when the luckless Brisbane head to Melbourne.

Sydney hosts the Mariners on Saturday night and you can join me for a live blog of all the action from 7.35pm (AEDT). Later that evening the Glory hosts Auckland and Newcastle will greet Macarthur on Sunday afternoon to complete the round.

Good luck with your tips and be sure to enter them in the sheet below to have a say in the voice of the people. Here are the thoughts and tips of the panel as we head towards the midpoint of the season.

Mike Tuckerman

Draw, Adelaide, City, Draw, Auckland, Macarthur

Patrick Kisnorbo’s sudden departure has clearly thrown a spanner in the works, with Victory looking a shadow of their former selves in recent weeks. They ground out a 2-2 draw with Western Sydney last time out, but the question is whether Arthur Diles is the right man to get the team firing. Western United were no match for Melbourne City, but should dig in for a point.

Where has it all gone wrong for Wellington Phoenix? They were diabolical in their recent 2-0 defeat to Melbourne City, with fans starting to voice their disapproval of Giancarlo Italiano’s tactics.  Adelaide United got back to winning ways with a last-gasp win over Macarthur midweek, and they’ve won all five of their away fixtures so far. I’m tipping them to make it six.

Aurelio Vidmar is proof of how quickly the tide can turn in the A-League. After copping criticism for the manner of City’s 2-0 defeat to the Wanderers in November, they’ve now gone six games unbeaten. A youthful City downed Western United with ease last time out, and it’s hard to see how Brisbane Roar fire themselves up on the back of an unrelenting run of dire form.

What a strange season this has been for Sydney FC, who are yet to record back-to-back victories in the league. You’d think they could start here against the Mariners, but the Sky Blues seem to struggle with playing fixtures in close succession. The Mariners ground out a much-needed win over Brisbane Roar last time out. They should be good enough to take a point here.

Perth Glory are an absolute basket case this season, with David Zdrilic seemingly incapable of turning his side’s fortunes around. The West Australians were no match for Sydney FC in the rain midweek, and their home form is nothing to crow about. Auckland could only manage a scoreless draw with Melbourne Victory, but they should canter to another win in Perth.

Robbie Stanton is probably thanking his lucky stars for the presence of Brisbane Roar, after the Jets recorded a desperately-needed win midweek. That came on the back of a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Sydney FC, with Jets fans no doubt hoping to see a similar fight here. Unfortunately for them, the Bulls will be out to avenge their Round 2 loss to the Jets.

Stuart Thomas

Victory, Wellington, City, Sydney, Auckland, Macarthur

Victory snatched a point against Western Sydney last time out and have still yet to reach top gear, despite the talent in the squad. United no match for the big brother here, with consistency their issue right now. Wellington need a win and Adelaide are a dangerous proposition on the road. The Phoenix to right the ship at home.

Melbourne City just keep winning and finding the goals they need. What a performance it has been from a squad decimated right from the start of the season. Brisbane are untippable, despite playing well at times. 2-0. Sydney look a real championship threat and Joe Lolley is the form player in the league. The Mariners will give them a fight but one must simply back the Sky Blues based on form.

Auckland face the new distance Derby and with rested legs, should be too good for a Perth team that is at least showing some real fight and improving. This one might be a bridge to far, with fatigue set to play a role in the second half. The Jets will be hoping not to throw points away as the did against Sydney last weekend when they host Macarthur. The Bulls have class and the issue of three matches in a week might also make it difficult for the home team.

David Shilovsky

Victory, Adelaide, City, Sydney, Auckland, Macarthur

The fixtures keep coming thick and fast in the A-League. To begin this round it’s another Melbourne derby as Victory host Western United at AAMI Park with both teams occupying spots in the lower end of the top six. I could see this one going either way but at home, I’ll back Victory.

Another challenge to pick between Wellington and Adelaide, who meet at Sky Stadium to kick off a four-game Saturday showcase. The Reds are in much better form, the Nix will be more desperate for the three points. Tipping the Reds but I’m not wholly confident.

Back on this side of the Tasman, it’s Melbourne City taking on Brisbane in the twilight fixture. Despite their injury toll, City have continued to get results on the board and I won’t tip against them at home. Roar showed signs of life in the 1-0 loss to Newcastle but it could be a while until they notch another win in 2024-25.

It took the Sky Blues a while to get going against Perth, but once Joe Lolley opened the scoring he couldn’t stop, getting his first hat-trick in the A-League. If the Englishman can continue his prolific recent form, Sydney will get the job done at home.

Auckland make the eight-hour trip to Perth for the final game on Saturday. Perth led late in the game against Western United before copping two late blows, so I give them a chance but the Auckland machine should keep rolling.

The lone game on Sunday sees Macarthur hop on the bus to take on Newcastle. Mile Sterjovski’s side threw away a home lead last time out, dropping all three points in a 2-1 loss to Adelaide. The Jets also blew a two-goal advantage on their own patch.

Andrew Prentice

Victory, Draw, City, Sydney, Auckland, Draw

The turbulence following Patrick Kisnorbo’s abandonment of his coaching post seem to have settled at the White V. While they haven’t won yet, they have played a whole lot better. Western were on a great streak before being blunted by an undermanned City last start.

John Aloisi’s young squad may be feeling the effects of the busy holiday schedule. They need some of their experienced crew to carry the load or their sparkling last month will wilt in the memory.

Wellington just aren’t stringing it together like they did last season. Now in the shadow of their North Island rivals, they need to bring some consistency into their game or the top six will need crampons and ice-axes to get close.

Adelaide left it later than James Corden to beat Macarthur, invoking the words of legendary Scottish international Frank Haffey who once told a young keeper that it’s a “95 minute game, son.” The Phoenix have scored half as many goals as Adelaide yet, despite sitting 7 places lower than the Reds, have conceded less than their upcoming opponents. I suspect a 1-1 draw might get the Phoenix back on track.

Brisbane’s season of hapless woe shows no signs of abating. No wins in the first 11 games and facing a City side who have defied an injury list akin to a stunt double convention.  The home side are unbeaten in five, unbreached in two, and it’s easier to imagine bi-lateral parliamentary agreement on energy supply than a Roar victory.

The Joe Lolley show sank Perth midweek and the ex-Notts Forest star might be finding joy in his former club’s lofty EPL status. He’s in irresistible form and the problem for the Mariners is to find a way to take the fizz out of his sherbet (yes, that was an obscure lolly joke, I’ll get my hat and coat).

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Anas Ouahim celebrates with teammates (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Even if the Coasties manage that, there are other goal threats in Sky Blue to contend with. And at the other end of the park, the Mariners are lacklustre, scoring 11 in 11, which might be a fun call at Central Coast Leagues on bingo afternoon, but doesn’t translate to results on the pitch. Sydney’s form has been all over the shop but they have the firepower to dispense of the champs.

Auckland rack up serious frequent flyer miles this weekend for the other distance derby. Perth were ordinary midweek and desperately unlucky the weekend prior. The standout stat here is that the league’s best defence takes on the worst attack. Auckland aren’t free scorers but they usually score enough.

Jake Brimmer has the tools to exploit Perth’s defence, which has been known to set the table and provide the tea and scones for opposition strikers all season. Travel fatigue might be the only stumbling block to a win for the league leaders.

On form, Macarthur should be favourites in Newcastle on Sunday afternoon. However, the Jets have shown form of late. While beating Brisbane is sort-of akin to a participation award at the moment, they looked very much in control for most of the match against Sydney, before succumbing to a last-minute equaliser.

Macarthur’s cavalier attacking approach has been fun to watch but the Jets formation of Gibson, Adams, Taylor and Aqualina might be ready to pounce on the Bulls defensive composure, which has been a bit like a Vacation Care teacher trying to amuse 40 kids on a rainy day. A high-scoring draw could be in the offing. 3-3 would be nice.

Texi Smith

Victory, Wellington, City, Sydney, Auckland, Newcastle

Western United get their two Melbourne away derbies out of the way in quick succession when they face Victory. Victory were exposed against the Wanderers last weekend and were fortunate to get a draw despite a strong finish.

Western United’s midweek efforts will make them sluggish and Victory will pounce, Zinedine Machach with a mazy run and shot that Daniel Arzani would be proud of and Reno Piscopo settles the game in the second half.

Wellington Phoenix will be out to right the wrongs from last week’s demise in Melbourne, but they come up against high-flying Adelaide United, who finished off Macarthur in Campbelltown on Monday night.

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Wellington’s Kosta Barbarouses. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

This should be a cracker, and expect Phoenix to treat their fans to a lightning performance in the first half, Hideki Ishige with the first, Kosta Barbarouses with two before half time and then a procession in the second half as Adelaide are sent packing.

Melbourne City are coasting at the moment, and Brisbane are in a whole world of hurt. The pressure of playing at home off their backs, Roar will give a great account of themselves in this beer o’clock clash, Tom Waddingham finally getting the service he needs to give the erratic Patrick Beach a test, and his single goal will divide the sides at the break.

A turnaround, as expected, arrives with the introduction of Medin Memeti, who continues the streak of young and exciting players to make a name at City. A brilliant last fifteen minutes sees City score twice to win the game, but the score line doesn’t reflect the struggle.

Revenge for Sydney FC is due against the Mariners. Harrison Devenish-Meares will want to forget the fixture at Central Coast stadium when he was caught in no-man’s land to get an early red card, and his team will still be scarred by the unlucky defeat in the semi-final last season.

Sydney will stride to victory, Patryck Klimala doing the damage before the young guns comes on and finish the job late.

Perth Glory at home to Auckland FC. Come on, something’s got to give at some point. The head says a 5-0 win for the visitors, the heart says that Perth simply must get a home win at some point.

Unfortunately, Glory just don’t have enough firepower to out-shoot the wily Kiwis, and Max Mata will come off the bench to break the home fans’ hearts once again, one goal enough this time to take all three points.

The only thing the Jets are consistent with is their inconsistency. Following their midweek travails in Brisbane, it’s time to put it all on the line at home against a wounded Macarthur FC.

Wellissol will finally give us a display of note, running at the static Bulls’ defence from the start and scoring on the run. The fixture in South-West Sydney earlier in the season showed that the Jets have it in them, but Kosta Grozos will be the ultimate hero, executing a miraculous goal-line clearance in the final minute of added time to deny Valere Germain a nailed-on equaliser.

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