Central Coast Mariners vs Adelaide United
KO: 5:00pm AEDT, Saturday 16 November 2019
Venue: Central Coast Stadium
After spending the last two weeks on the road, Central Coast Mariners return home to face in-form Adelaide United.
Manager Alen Stajcic claimed he was happy with his sides performance despite their loss to Melbourne City last weekend.
Striker Jordan Murray scored a late consolation in a game where the Mariners had 16 shots on goal, with five on target. However, more worrying for Central Coast was that Melbourne City were able to register 23 shots on goal.
The Mariners defence will have to improve if they are to pick up three points on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Adelaide United continued their rich run of form by defeating Brisbane in the last round of the A-League.
United have now won their last three fixtures, including the FFA Cup Final, and will have to cope without Al Hassan Toure who is on Olyroos duty.
Riley McGree left in late to grab the winner against Brisbane after a hard fought contest at Coopers Stadium. McGree has started well for United this season and will pose a very big threat to a questionable Mariners defence.
James Troisi has two assists in two games since joining the club, and both he and McGree have already formed a lethal combination in midfield, something that Alen Stajcic will need to be wary of.
George Blackwood and Jordan Elsey return to the matchday squad after injury.
A win for the Mariners would mean they leapfrog Adelaide on the ladder.
Score prediction: Central Coast Mariners 1-1 Adelaide United
Players to watch: Tommy Oar (Central Coast Mariners), Riley McGree (Adelaide United)
Western United vs Newcastle Jets
KO: 7:30pm AEDT, Saturday 16 November 2019
Venue: GMHBA Stadium
Another week and another win for Western United in round 5. United are quickly making a name for themselves after yet another comeback victory against Western Sydney Wanderers last time out.
Besart Berisha returns to the squad after being rested last weekend, with his replacement Kwabena Appiah-Kubi scoring his first goal for the club.
Manager Mark Rudan will have a selection headache with Scott McDonald also in fine form. Panagiotis Kone is a major doubt for the game and is not expected to play.
Newcastle Jets will be without Abdiel Arroyo, Bobby Burns and Matt Ridenton after they were selected for international duty. This is a blow to the Jets who have failed to inspire so far this season.
Newcastle’s winless run continued to six games last weekend as they drew with Perth Glory and Ernie Merrick’s side put in arguably their best performance of the season.
Newcastle have the second worst defensive and attacking records in the division so far this season, conceding eight goals and scoring only four.
Nigel Boogaard returns from injury after missing Remembrance Round.
Score prediction: Western United 2-0 Newcastle Jets
Players to watch: Alessandro Diamanti (Western United), Jason Hoffman (Newcastle Jets)
Brisbane Roar vs Melbourne City FC
KO: 4:00pm AEDT, Sunday 17 November 2019
Venue: Dolphin Stadium
Winless Brisbane Roar host top of the table Melbourne City at Dolphin Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Brisbane, who have the best defensive record in the league will face the league’s top scorers – Melbourne City – who have 10 goals this season.
Brisbane on the other hand have only scored once so far this campaign – in their opening round draw against Perth Glory. Their scoring drought has now extended to over 270 minutes, with 55 shots in that time.
Brisbane’s backline – led by captain Tom Aldred – will have their hands full preventing City from continuing their fine run of form. Connor O’Toole is unavailable due to international duty.
Melbourne City earlier this week teased the return of Jamie Maclaren, and yesterday they confirmed his return to the squad. The Australian marquee missed the last two games due to a hamstring injury and has scored four times in two games in the A-League.
Since his absence, City have been proficient in front of goal, scoring three in each of their last two games with six different scorers.
Melbourne City will be without youth prospect Connor Metcalfe who has been outstanding under Erick Mombaerts. Tom Glover and Ramy Najjarine will also be unavailable.
Score prediction: Brisbane Roar 0-2 Melbourne City
Players to watch: Tom Aldred (Brisbane Roar), Adrian Luna (Melbourne City)
Sydney FC vs Melbourne Victory
KO: 6:30pm AEDT, Sunday 17 November 2019
Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
All eyes will be on Kosta Barbarouses when Sydney FC face Melbourne Victory in the Big Blue on Sunday evening.
Barbarouses – who played 172 times for Victory scoring 64 goals – is expected to receive a hostile reception from Victory fans after his controversial move to Sydney. Barbarouses rejected a call up to the New Zealand squad in order to be available for the fixture.
Sydney scored four against Newcastle in their last match, and seemingly have put their derby day disappointment behind them.
The Sky Blues are expected to have Rhyan Grant and Andrew Redmayne available for the game despite their call ups to the Socceroos squad. Harry Van Der Saag will miss the match.
Melbourne Victory have seven first team players unavailable through injury and international duty.
The long-awaited return of Socceroos winger Robbie Kruse could prove crucial to Victory’s chances of taking three points back to Melbourne. Kruse will make his first appearance in navy blue since 2011.
Victory have scored five times this season and seem heavily reliant on the creativity of Ola Toivonen. Toivonen clawed Victory to a 1-1 draw against Wellington last Sunday, and has been Victory’s stand out player so far this season.
If Sydney are able to nullify Toivonen’s threat, they will go a long way to winning this match.
Will Kosta come back to haunt the Victory?
Score prediction: Sydney FC 3-1 Melbourne Victory
Players to watch: Kosta Barbarouses (Sydney FC), Robbie Kruse (Melbourne Victory)
