Round 9 Preview

Perth Glory vs Wellington Phoenix - Friday

Team & Ladder Ranking: Perth Glory (7th)

Keep Up The Good Work: Michael Thwaite was a leader for the Glory in their 1-0 loss to Brisbane, he nearly got on the score sheet before half-time and was instrumental in keeping the match close for Perth.

Things They Could Have Done Better Last Week: Shane Smeltz continues his horror run at Perth, suffering another injury after just half an hour.

Team & Ladder Ranking: Wellington Phoenix (9th)

Keep Up The Good Work: Wellington continued their solid if unimpressive start under Ernie Merrick with a 0-0 draw against their fancied opponents Western Sydney. Stein Huysegems belied his role as target man to put in a lot of creative work, and it would have paid off if not for Carlos Hernandez blazing his shot over the bar.

Things They Could Have Done Better Last Week: They have yet to win a game this season and aren't scoring many goals as well. It is impossible to get anywhere in football if you can't score, and doubly so when you can't win.

Prediction: On paper the Glory at home in the 'Distance Derby' should do the job over Wellington, but neither team is in great form and that means an upset could be on the cards. Wellington to pickup their first victory of the season, 2-1.

Adelaide United vs Brisbane Roar - Friday

Team & Ladder Ranking: Adelaide United (8th)

Keep Up The Good Work: Adelaide finally started showing the promise of their short passing, possession based game against Heart last week when they went 2-0 up very early. Marcelo Carrusca pulled the strings for Adelaide and he was rewarded with a deflected goal to put Adelaide back equal at 3-3.

Things They Could Have Done Better Last Week: Heart were a team bereft of confidence, performing so badly that their supporters were protesting in the stands. At 2-0 up Adelaide should have turned on the style and punished Melbourne. Instead their defence went to sleep and allowed Miglionrini the freedom of AAMI Park and his twin wonder strikes bought Heart back level. It got even worse when Tarek Elrich gave away a penalty.

Team & Ladder Ranking: Brisbane Roar (1st)

Keep Up The Good Work: Thomas Broich finally got back to his play making ways, after weeks with little involvement he provided an assist to his partner in crime Besart Berisha. If these two stay on form both individually and in partnership it will be a huge ask for any team to overtake them to win the coveted Premiership this season.

Things They Could Have Done Better Last Week: Their marking at set pieces was slack at times, they had a man on the line to thank for saving their blushes in Perth.

Prediction: It's hard to look past Brisbane. Adelaide's defensive woes could see a blowout. 3-1 Brisbane.

Western Sydney Wanderers vs Melbourne Heart - Saturday

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

Keep Up The Good Work: Defensively speaking the Wanderers were solid but not impregnable against the Phoenix. They kept a clean sheet but there were several chances for their opponents, one that Hernandez should have scored off being the main 'lowlight' for the defense.

Things They Could Have Done Better Last Week: They couldn't defeat Wellington for the second time this season. That isn't good enough. Mark Bridge missed the best chance of the game by skying his shot into the Wellington Harbour. Several players were missing through either rotation or injury and if they return they must do better than the positional players from last week.

Team & Ladder Ranking: Melbourne Heart (10th)

Keep Up The Good Work: Andrea Migliorini scored two cracking goals that brought the hosts back level against Adelaide. From there luck shifted both ways, with a dodgy penalty for Heart & a deflection for Adelaide giving both sides a share of the points.

Things They Could Have Done Better Last Week: Defensively they were porous yet again, opened up very easily and very early, they can't defend like that again and expect any kind of results at Parramatta.

Prediction: Wanderers to return to form, firing to a 4-0 win in front of a big Parramatta Stadium crowd.

Central Coast Mariners vs Sydney FC - Saturday

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

Keep Up The Good Work: There was little good about the 0-0 draw against Melbourne, they kept a clean sheet more through luck that good defence, and weren't able to trouble the scorers.

Things They Could Have Done Better Last Week: The Phil Moss Mariners look a shadow of their former self. Although this is as much to do with a lot of talent leaving the club through retirement or transfers, the club would have expected better at home. With teams like Newcastle & Sydney FC having the run of the luck over recent weeks it is very possible they could fall out of the top 6 this weekend.

Team & Ladder Ranking: Sydney FC (3rd)

Keep Up The Good Work: Sydney FC scored a club record 4th straight victory against Newcastle. Their new Serbian striker Ranko Despotovic & Joel Chianese making up for the loss of Del Piero.

Things They Could Have Done Better Last Week: Del Piero went off hurt, I know it's not really 'something you can do better' but he looks set to miss this clash and will be a big loss for Sydney FC.

Prediction: Mariners to right the ship against a Del Piero-less Sydney FC. 2-0.

Melbourne Victory vs Newcastle Jets - Sunday

Team & Ladder Ranking: Melbourne Victory (4th)

Keep Up The Good Work: Melbourne's build up play against the Mariners was very good, creating a host of chances.

Things They Could Have Done Better Last Week: That they unfortunately squandered. More end product is required.

Team & Ladder Ranking: Newcastle Jets (5th)

Keep Up The Good Work: Newcastle's best player was keeper Mark Birighitti. But when you lose 2-0, your keeper being the best player is not a good thing.

Things They Could Have Done Better Last Week: They were outplayed all over the park by Sydney FC. They need to improve or they will tumble back down the ladder. They can't rely on Taggart scoring a hat-trick every week.

Prediction: Melbourne 3-0.

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