A-League Round 15 Week 1

Adelaide United v Newcastle United Jets

Coopers Stadium, Adelaide

Saturday, January 24

4.00 PM (AEST)

It is fourth v ninth on Saturday and with the Reds at home at Coopers Stadium they’ll be a tough ask in front of the passionate and loyal Adelaide crowd. An interesting stat is Adelaide have lost their last two home games but have not lost three in a row since March 2012 (a run of four games). Interestingly the Jets only win this season was against Adelaide (at Hunter Stadium back in Round 11). To confuse matters Adelaide have won only one of their last six meetings with Newcastle Jets (D2 L3). With a handy freshen up over the holiday season I’m tipping Josep Gombau’s chargers to dictate play with some fine attacking options up front and consolidate their top four spot on the ladder

Pick: Adelaide United (H2H)

Central Coast Mariners v Sydney FC

Central Coast Stadium, Gosford

Saturday, January 24

6.30 PM (AEST)

The Mariners are coming off a win against Melbourne City in their last game before the break, and was their first victory since the opening game of the season, ending a run of 12 winless matches. The Sky Blues have failed to score in any of their last four games and have not won at the home of the ‘Sauce Bottles’ in eight recent attempts (D3 L5) since a 3-2 victory way back in August 2008. Graham Arnold has opened the cheque book and bolstered his squad with some new talent in a hope to reverse a poor run of form without a win in their past seven outings. I think I’ll will sit on the fence in this one and find sanctuary in the good value of the ‘Draw’.

Pick: Draw and the 0-0 'Correct Score' optioin is also good value

Perth Glory v Melbourne Victory

nib Stadium, Perth

Sunday, January 25

7.00 PM (AEST)

This promises to be the best game of the split round with the league leaders Perth Glory up against the third placed Victory. Coach Kevin Muscat will be very keen to grab maximum points and place pressure back on the Phoenix to retain the all-important second spot on the table. Victory have won two of their last three games, losing the other to the Glory in an entertaining and well attended clash at Geelong early in the New Year. The Glory are four points clear at the top and will be keen as mustard to keep a gap between them and the rest of the field as they attempt to be first past the post at season’s end.

Pick: Perth Glory (H2H) or in the 'Exact Total Goals' market 'Exactly 3 goals' is well-priced given the average goals scored per game between these sides is 3.31

I’ll be on @RadioTABAus every Friday and Monday morning around 7:45am AEST over the course of the entire A-league season with my previews and reviews of every game.

James ‘Hamez’ Clark

@cleansheetoz