As Kiwis, we couldn’t have asked for a better script to start the season. Rolling into the third week of the A-League, Auckland FC are looking down on every other team, and the Phoenix are right behind.
If the first ever Kiwi-Classico match-up wasn’t going to be juicy enough already, a top of the clash will surely add a little extra spice.
Sydney FC will be hoping for some good news when it comes to their star Englishmen who limped off the field in their 1-0 loss to Auckland FC. Already without Douglas Costa, they me be another star down.
After taking last week off, Brisbane Roar are back in action in front of a home crowd. They’ve got some fire power coming back into the squad and have the ability to take care of any team.
Both teams have fallen to Auckland FC, but out of the two teams, I’m expecting the quality of Sydney to shine and take this one away from home.
The first ever Kiwi-Classico, one and two on the table, you couldn’t have asked for a better first derby.
The Phoenix will host Auckland FC at Sky Stadium where you will be able to feel the tension on and off the pitch. The storylines and banter between both fanbases have fueled this rivalry. We’ve already had streakers, planes and billboards firing shots at each other’s teams, so hopefully this lives up to the hype!
AFC fans will travel down for the first ‘away day’ while Phoenix fans are going to have get out and about and prove New Zealand is yellow.
On the pitch I’m expecting both teams to come out firing wanting to prove a point, but neither side will want to be the first to slip up. I’m seeing a tightly contested battle where both teams could score but the result could go either way.
Last season’s regular season winners, Central Coast have started off their season with back-to-back draws while Perth look like they could be set for another struggle at the bottom of the table.
Central Coast are still a strong side despite losing some key players from last year’s squad, and Perth have started their season with back-to-back losses. I’m expecting the Mariners to win this one comfortably, especially with the home advantage.
Western Sydney Wanderers are an entertaining watch for a neutral fan, with plenty of goals being scored by both sides in their fixtures over the last few seasons.
Adelaide held Central Coast to a 1-1 draw last weekend which should boost their confidence heading to New South Wales.
Both teams should be able to have some joy on attack and find the back of the net. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this one end in a draw, whether it be 1-1, 2-2 or 3-3.
Melbourne Victory are off to a strong start this season, collecting four out of six points and picked up a 3-1 win in the Melbourne Derby last weekend.
Macarthur started hot, demolishing Perth Glory 6-1 in their opening fixture, but fell short against Newcastle.
Other than Melbourne Victory’s opening game which ended 0-0, we have been seeing plenty goals in each of these teams’ fixtures and I expect that to carry on with the Victory edging this one out.
Western United are unbeaten to start their season, meanwhile Melbourne City have won one, and lost one.
Given their home advantage and solid start to the season I like backing Western United here to either win or draw.
Melbourne City haven’t been convincing to start their season and with all their injuries I think they may struggle to pick up points over the next couple of weeks.