When can we start calling the A-League the Kiwi-League?
After two impressive wins on Sunday in the Sydney heat, Auckland FC sit at the top, still undefeated, still without conceding and the Wellington Phoenix move up into second place.
I’m not sure if we’ll ever see a Unite Round again. Not for the next wee while anyway until they build up some more history.
The only good thing about Unite Round is that our picks went 6/6!
With only five games for viewing this weekend, let’s see how we go about trying to replicate the successes of last week.
Adelaide are off to their best start to season for 10 years. They’re unbeaten through their first four games having scored seven and only conceded three.
A come from behind win last week shows this Adelaide team could be the real deal. With their backs against the wall, they’ve shown they’re able to grind out a win, thanks a lot to their impact players off the bench.
Apart from a 0-0 draw in week 2, all other games involving the Glory have seen plenty of goals. We tipped it last week and we’ll do it again. Give me the over.
Four wins from four games! History was made for the Black Knights last week in Sydney.
Auckland FC are back home this week and looking to maintain their flawless record.
The new kids on the block shouldn’t have too many issues with 11th placed Newcastle when they come to town on Saturday. They’ve shown flashes but they’re certainly missing the presence of last year’s goal machine Apostolos Stamatelopoulos.
Without him I’m not too sure how Newcastle are going to be able to breakdown the Black Knights, so I’m seeing another clean sheet coming their way.
Melbourne City are fresh off the bye and with an extra week of rest I don’t see Western Sydney being up to the task.
They’ll have good memories of this fixture with the last time these two teams met it ended in a 7-0 dismantling by Melbourne City.
Things obviously aren’t right between head coach Alen Stajcic and Spanish superstar Juan Mata. If they can figure things out and get Mata on the field for longer periods of time I think they’ll be more competitive. Until then, I’ll continue to count them out.
Brisbane fans, don’t look now. If you date back to last season they are without a win in their last seven games. They haven’t been able to keep the ball out of the back of their own net which is a huge reason why they’re at the foot of the table.
Macarthur have been up and down to start the season and will be after some consistency this week.
This could be the perfect chance for the Bulls to put in a solid performance against a team lacking in confidence.
Western United earned their first win of the campaign last week thanks to a double from Hiroshi Ibusuki. They’ll want to build on that this week as they host rivals Melbourne Victory.
The Victory fell to the Nix last week but still sit in the top four, two points from the top.
Last time these two teams met there was late drama which ended in 90th minute equaliser for Western.
This week the Victory are the only team favoured away from home but I think they’ll be too good for Western and get back to their winning ways.