Round 11 Preview

Central Coast Mariners vs Wellington Phoenix - Thursday

Team & Ladder Ranking: Central Coast Mariners (6th)

Keep Up The Good Work: 4-0 Adelaide is not a scoreline many were expecting last week, there was little Christmas Cheer for the Mariners who offered up a gift three points to Adelaide.

Things They Could Have Done Better Last Week: Liam Reddy had a shocker, including a ridiculous concession of a goal when he decided not to clear the ball, preferred to try and shield the ball out, only to have it nicked from underneath him for an open goal tap in. When in doubt, kick it out Liam.

Team & Ladder Ranking: Wellington Phoenix (9th)

Keep Up The Good Work: The nix were quite hard done by last weekend in losing 2-1, although that must come with a caveat that they did give away an unconverted penalty. Their created a number of chances and were competitive even while they were behind the eight ball for much of the match.

Things They Could Have Done Better Last Week: Their finishing must improve if they are to stand a chance of making the finals because their defence simply isn't good enough to keep teams to solitary goals or clean sheets. If they continue to waste chances their defence will see them finish in the bottom 2.

Prediction:

Prediction: Wellington suck. Mariners don't quite suck as much. 3-0 Mariners.

Brisbane Roar vs Newcastle Jets - Friday

Team & Ladder Ranking: Brisbane Roar (1st)

Keep Up The Good Work: Fullback Ivan Franjic continues to push for Australian National team selection to score his second match winner against the Phoenix this season.

Things They Could Have Done Better Last Week: They looked second best for much of the match in Wellington and compounded this with their star hit man Besart Berisha missing a penalty. If they want to maintain their hold on the top they must cut out their uncharacteristic efforts.

Team & Ladder Ranking: Newcastle Jets (6th)

Keep Up The Good Work: The Jets were stuck on the tarmac at home, nowhere on the pitch was immune to criticism. Precious little good work was done.

Things They Could Have Done Better Last Week: Across the park the Jets had issues and were lucky to lose by just a goal. Keeper Mark Birighitti should have seen a red card for hand balling outside the area to stop Labinot Haliti from scoring, their midfield was non-existent and saw captain Ruben Zadkovich hauled off, their strikers butchered what little chances they created and their defence was soft as warm butter on the Wanderers goal.

Prediction: The only reason Newcastle are still in the top 6 is because Adelaide changed their style & Perth have imploded. Brisbane at home should comfortably account for Newcastle. 2-0 Roar.

Melbourne Heart vs Melbourne Victory - Saturday

Team & Ladder Ranking: Melbourne Heart (10th)

Keep Up The Good Work: The best thing I can say about the Heart is that they have shown over the past few weeks that the players and management do possess the values their nomenclature suggests, despite going down in unfortunately circumstances to Sydney FC.

Things They Could Have Done Better Last Week: Kewell. Penalty. Enough said.

Team & Ladder Ranking: Melbourne Victory (5th)

Keep Up The Good Work: Gui Finkler continued the good path on his return to both fitness and form following his horror ACL injury, if he continues to create goal chances or puts them in the back of the net on his own he will give Kevin Muscat a big decision to make over the makeup of the central midfielder of his striker less formation.

Things They Could Have Done Better Last Week: There wasn't much to complain about last week but if you had to pick a spot, it was in defence, Glory wasted some golden chances.

Prediction: Heart lift for Derbies, and Victory are perhaps sliding around without being able to nail down concrete form. I smell an upset. 2-1 Heart.

Perth Glory vs Adelaide United - Saturday

Team & Ladder Ranking: Perth Glory (7th)

Keep Up The Good Work: Perth had the match and then week of hell. There were no positives at all. They lost badly to Melbourne, and Captain Jacob Burns led a rebellion against coach Alistair Edwards which resulted in the sacking of the coach.

Things They Could Have Done Better Last Week: Now that Burns has got his way and Tony Sage will order whoever takes over to put Burns in the starting lineup, he cannot fail to perform. If he or the Glory lose against a team below them on the ladder, especially if neither Edwards brother makes the pitch his head will be on the firing line.

Team & Ladder Ranking: Adelaide United (8th)

Keep Up The Good Work: The club as a whole, including it's supporters, came together to reject the toxic influence of the mainstream media in Adelaide to "Trust in Josep" and their faith was rewarded with a 4-0 thrashing of the Mariners.

Things They Could Have Done Better Last Week: They let in a small number of chances, and started somewhat poorly and could have been behind early if McBreen was on target.

Prediction: There could not be two bigger contrasts in football in terms of preparation and attitude. Glory fell apart, attacking each other in an explosion of internal rage, while Adelaide came together in a manner that perhaps will banish the "Pissant" mentality for good. An Adelaide away win will put them close to the top 6. 3-1 Adelaide.

Wellington Phoenix vs Sydney FC - Sunday

Team & Ladder Ranking: Wellington Phoenix (9th)

Keep Up The Good Work: Ernie Merrick for not turning into a ball of rage on the sideline, kicking water bottles and smashing the plastic Bunnings chairs as his team slaughtered glorious and numerous chances to notch their first win of the season against a substandard Mariners outfit.

Things They Could Have Done Better Last Week Thursday: Their finishing must improve if they are to stand a chance of making the finals because their defence simply isn't good enough to keep teams to clean sheets. If they continue to waste chances their defence will see them finish in the bottom 2.

Team & Ladder Ranking: Sydney FC (4th)

Keep Up The Good Work: Del Piero once again singlehandedly gave Sydney FC the spark to win this match, after 40 odd minutes of some of the most boring football of the season, he got tired of the crap, took the ball outside the area then beat 5 Heart 'defenders' before beating Andrew Redmayne at the near post. Except that he's out of this match.

Things They Could Have Done Better Last Week: They still could have drawn the match if not for Harry Kewell and his penalty that became a viral hit on the youtubes.

Prediction: Wellington won't have a better chance to pick up a win against Del Piero FC without Del Piero. Wellington for an upset win. 4-1.

Western Sydney Wanderers vs Central Coast Mariners - Sunday

Team & Ladder Ranking: Western Sydney Wanderers (2nd)

Keep Up The Good Work: The Wanderers won the match against the Jets through a Mark Bridge goal but it was their defence that secured the three points, they were stoic, solid and organised against everything the Jets threw at Western Sydney. Mark Bridge in addition to his simple 'tap in' header, gave the Jets a torrid time, including a fierce shot that hit the crossbar.

Things They Could Have Done Better Last Week: The lack of a killer second goal kept the match in the balance for far longer than the Jets deserve. If the Mariners play poorly and the Wanderers are on top I expect multiple goals to really put the foot on the throat of the Central Coast.

Team & Ladder Ranking: Central Coast Mariners (5th)

Keep Up The Good Work: A scrappy 1-0 win against 2nd last place isn't the best augur of form, and they gave away a penalty. Liam Reddy and Storm Roux were the picks of the night, Reddy racking up save after save and ensuring that the Mariners walked away with all three points after saving a penalty.

Things They Could Have Done Better Last Week Thursday: They were dour and unimpressive on a poor pitch. Not up to the usual standards.

Prediction: Mariners are in a form funk while the Wanderers are getting up to speed and bringing back injured players like Tomi Juric. Victory in the West for the Wanderers. 3-0.

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