Adelaide United V Newcastle Jets

The Age

Friday January 9, 2009

MICHAEL LYNCH

ADELAIDE UNITED V NEWCASTLE JETS

HINDMARSH STADIUM, 8PM TODAY (AEDT)

TV: Fox Sports 1, 8pm

WHAT'S AT STAKE: Adelaide can return to the top of the league tonight with a win over the hapless Jets, who now seem doomed to finish bottom. It is Adelaide's third game in six days, including an interstate trip. For the Jets it's now all about preparation for the Asian Champions League.

TEAM SHEET: Angelo Costanzo and the soon-to-retire Mike Valkanis come into the Adelaide squad. The Jets named a large and youthful squad and recalled the disappointing Dane Jesper Hakansson.

VERDICT: Although fatigue may play a role for Adelaide, the Reds should still have too much class and know-how for the Jets, who can only play for pride.

CENTRAL COAST MARINERS V QLD ROAR

BLUETONGUE STADIUM, 7PM TOMORROW

TV: Fox Sports 1, 7pm

WHAT'S AT STAKE: A lot for both clubs. Depending on the Adelaide result, a win could put the Mariners back on top of the table, at least until Melbourne plays on Sunday. The Roar needs to recover its excellent away form to take three points to shore up its chances of a finals berth.

TEAM SHEET: The Mariners' striking stocks are significantly boosted by the return from suspension of Dylan MacAllister and Matty Simon, although they will miss the now-departed midfielder Mile Jedinak. The Roar will have to do without No. 1 goalkeeper Liam Reddy but will bring back veteran Korean defender Hyuk Su Seo. Charlie Miller is still missing.

VERDICT: This should be tough and tight but the Mariners may have the edge

on their northern visitors.

SYDNEY FC V WELLINGTON PHOENIX

SYDNEY FOOTBALL STADIUM, 6PM SUNDAY

TV: Fox Sports 1, 6pm

WHAT'S AT STAKE: A finals berth for Wellington, perhaps a job for Sydney boss John Kosmina. The light blues have been woeful in recent months, while the Phoenix will be keen to confirm itself as a legitimate challenger.

TEAM SHEET: Jon McKain and Andrew Durante are both big ins for the Phoenix and will bolster a rearguard that kept a clean sheet last season. Sydney is still missing several key players and brings in young defender Antony Golec.

VERDICT: The Nix will be fancied but perhaps Sydney can end the nightmare and in the process hurt the Kiwis' finals hopes, and give Kossie something to smile about.

PERTH GLORY V MELBOURNE VICTORY

MEMBERS EQUITY STADIUM, 8PM SUNDAY (AEDT)

TV/RADIO: Fox Sports 1, 8pm, SEN 1116

WHAT'S AT STAKE: Lots for Melbourne, which will look to take the three points here to put daylight between itself and the challengers for the premiership plate, depending on other results. For Glory it is all about being competitive as the rebuilding process for season five begins.

TEAM SHEET: Eugene Dadi is back in contention after being left out for Perth's New Year's Eve trip to Gosford, while Wayne Shroj and youth player Andrija Jukic are both included. Melbourne boss Ernie Merrick has named the same squad as that which defeated Adelaide on Tuesday.

WHO ARE YOU? The same outfit that stunned Melbourne 3-1 in the middle of its three-game losing streak barely a month ago. Adriano Pellegrino scored the goal of his career that day and will be a hard-working presence in the midfield on Sunday.

VERDICT: Melbourne is now on a roll and has momentum. It won't slip up in

the west again. The Victory has the sniff of the championship and wants an ACL

spot guaranteed. -- MICHAEL LYNCH

© 2009 The Age

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