A-League Round 1
August 5th-8th
The sixth edition of the Hyundai A-League begins tonight with the New Boys the Melbourne Heart out to start the season with a bang. It also dawns a new era for their opponents with Graham Arnold taking over the reins of the Central Coast Mariners.
The Heart will be hoping for a big turnout as the A-League hosts it’s first game at the new AAMI park purpose built for Football and the Melbourne Storm.
On Saturday night the big Grand Final replay will be held at the Sydney Football Stadium as 2009/2010 champions Sydney FC welcome arch rivals Melbourne Victory to town.
In other matches Adelaide are at home to Newcastle on Friday night and later that evening Perth Glory will host the North Queensland Fury.
In the final match the local derby will be played at Skiiled Park on the Gold Coast between Gold Coast and the Roar. Let’s hope the Gold Coast faithful turn out and support there team in 2010/2011.
Thursday August 5, 7.30pm
Melbourne Heart v Central Coast Mariners
Selection: Melbourne Heart
Bet: 3 units @ $2.10 Centrebet
Analysis: I want to back the Heart here as they are sure to be primed for the big occasion. They have recruited some serious talent from champions Sydney and also a former Socceroo in Josip Skoko. The Mariners were dissapointing last year but new coach Graham Arnold should turn them into a far more competitive team. I see a Heart team that can seriously challenge in their debut season and if that is the case I think they will be too strong for the Mariners. The big occasion will bring out the best in this very experience football team.
Friday August 6, 8pm
Adelaide v Newcastle
Selection: Adelaide
Bet: No Bet
Analysis: This is a game I have no interest in betting in. Both teams were ordinary last year and if I were to make a prediction it will be that Adelaide will finish above Newcastle by year’s end but this is simply a sit back and watch game.
Friday August 6, 10pm
Perth Glory v North QLD Fury
Selection: Perth
Bet: No Bet
Analysis: I see new recruit Robbie Fowler casing his former team some headaches here but can we really back the Glory with any confidence? They are always hard to beat at home but the Fury are extremely unpredictable and this is another game where we should sit out and just see how they start there season.
Saturday August 7, 7.30pm
Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory
Selection: Draw
Bet: No Bet
Analysis: This should again be a blockbuster with a healthy crowd sure to be in attendance. The Sydney FC faithful are sure to give the home team a warm welcome as they return to the Sydney Football Stadium for the first time since being crowned champions last season. The Victory will again be the benchmark in 2010/2011 so let’s just sit back and enjoy what should be a cracker in the grand final replay.
Sunday August 8, 3pm
Gold Coast V Brisbane Roar
Selection: Gold Coast
Bet: No Bet
Analysis: Who wants to take the shorts the Gold Coast? Not me that is for sure. Promised so much is their debut season but when things got tough they seemed to go missing. They have managed to keep the majority of the squad together and should prove to strong for the Roar but I would prefer to just watch and learn here.
Wellington have the bye in week one.