Current Weeks Games Preview
Firstly
please note that the UK pools will refer to Bunbury Forum Force as South West
Phoenix and Olympia Warriors as Hobart Olympic. Why they refuse to change the
names is beyond me as they have had two months of knowing of the name changes
but have still ignored them.
Coupon Preview July 31 2010
This page will be updated
Friday afternoon when team news is available. Coupon cut-off is 06:30 BST 31
Jul 2010.
Note matches 38 and 40 will
be void as they have been switched to Friday evening 30 July.
This is
the last coupon for 2010 and many thanks to everyone who has read this page
over the past twelve weeks and, I hope, shared some of the passion I personally
have for the game down under. Please follow the teams for the remainder of the
season as some bookmakers are offering fixed odds on the big leagues until they
finish in September. Pools 2011 will be on line from mid April next year with
the season round up from 2010 and the season to date for 2011.
Please
join me again then. Thank you.
Victoria Division One
Clifton
Hill are without their regular keeper, Antoni Pacora, following his red card
for a professional foul against Pascoe Vale and they are involved in a three way
scrap at the bottom of the table to avoid the two relegation spots. Since
promotion in 2008 the Hillmen have never looked comfortable and finished
seventh and ninth in the past two seasons. Their opponents at Kevin Bartlett
Reserve are St Albans Saints, who missed out on promotion to the Premier League
after a points deduction last season, and are struggling in the lower half of
the table this season. The well supported Saints had a good 2:0 win over
Fawkner Blues thanks to a Martin Hana brace in front of a good home crowd of
450 and have never lost to Clifton Hill. Saints to take the points home with
them. Langwarrin made no mistake last Saturday and a 64th minute
goal from Joe Harris gave Gus Macleod’s side the points against Whittlesea
Zebras following their shock defeat the previous week by Clifton Hill. At
Lawton Park they entertain George Kakaletsis’s Pascoe Vale side, who beat
Clifton Hill 3:0, and who finished next to Langy last season in the table in
Paco’s first year in this division. Both sides are not far apart this season as
well and, with seven games still to play, are chasing the second promotion
spot. This will be a close tie and the spoils may be shared come 4.45 Saturday.
Victoria Division Two
Ballarat
Red Devils moved up a place after a solid
3:2 win over Altona East Phoenix and now entertain Brunswick City, who
are on the fringes of the challenge for the playoff spot, at Trekardo Park.
Brunswick are not good travellers and have won only 19 of their last 52 away
games while the Red Devils have won half of their last 51 home matches. This
match looks like heading for a draw. Banyule City, hovering above the drop zone
and trying to avoid immediate relegation back to division four, face an Altona
City side who are settling for yet another bottom half finish after ending the
last three seasons in ninth place each time. An Ashley Lymm hat-trick helped
them to a 6:1 win over lowly Geelong Rangers and they should take the points
against Banyule as well. Geelong Rangers will make the trip around Corio Bay to
Altona East Phoenix hoping to avoid a fifth straight defeat but they will in
all probability return home empty handed and they look almost certain to be
relegated. At Campbell Reserve Moreland City, who have improved their league
position with a couple of good wins against Williamstown and Brunswick City,
will host Werribee City who are looking for promotion after two second places
and a third in recent seasons. The Bees have drawn three of the last five with
Moreland but, perhaps more crucially, won the most recent two and they have the
best away record of any Victorian side, including the Premier League, over the
last five years losing only nine and drawing twelve of their 51 matches. The
Bees need the points and should win in what may turn out to be a low scoring
game. Bottom side Sydenham Park are without a home win this season and the
visitors to Keilor Lodge Reserve this Saturday, Williamstown, should ensure
that statistic is still valid after the
match.
Fridays
match saw leaders Port Melbourne Sharks hel to a goalless draw by Whittlesea
Ranges which means Ports are increasingly likely to take the title and
automatic promotion whilst Werribee City can close the gap on Whittlesea with a
victory over Moreland City.
Victoria Division Three
Berwick
City could well be playing division five football next season should they lose
at home to Dandenong City who should take the points. Casey Comets have a
problem scoring at home with only nine netted so far compared with 24 away.
These narrow home wins are nail biters for the fans and this match with Eastern
Lions, who they have beaten in five of their last seven matches, should be no
different. Comets will be hoping to pounce on the second promotion spot should
DV slip up and three points against the Lions will help that ambition. The
aforementioned Diamond Valley United have the other prime relegation
candidates, Southern Suburbs, as their visitors to Partington Flats and a home
victory will be expected. Morwell-Pegasus despite losing their last five games
are still in fourth place and have the league leaders, Southern Stars, making
the trip east to Ronald Reserve on Saturday. Stars look unstoppable and have
not lost this season as they try to regain their place in division one after
just one year in this division. They won the reverse back in May by the odd
goal in seven but this match may take a different twist as they have their star
player, and the division’s leading scorer with 14 goals, Berkan Sakaci
suspended for picking up five yellows. Frank Albanese, twelve goals to date,
has been out of sorts for Morwell and hasn’t scored for five matches and this
could be his chance to inflict damage on the leaders. Most see Stars winning
the tie but taking all factors into account the match may well end up drawn or
even a surprise home win. Toss a coin to decide this one.
Victoria Division Four
Keilor
Park, in the fight for the second promotion place, travel to Cairnlea, with a
couple of suspensions to worry about, and had their last match postponed and
they may not, therefore, be match fit. Park should take advantage and go home
with the points. Melbourne University make the short trip to Essendon United
who seem to be going straight back down and this game may assist in that
descent. Another side hovering on the brink of the drop are Maribyrnong Greens
who take on Lalor at RGC Cook Reserve in a must win match for both sides.
Greens had to struggle to get a 2:2 draw with Essendon whilst Lalor were
unlucky not to get a point at Keilor Park. This match may well end in Lalor’s
favour or a draw could well be the final result. Leaders Sunbury United are
looking unstoppable at the top after their 2:0 win over nearest rivals
Yarraville Glory, who play Geelong on Friday evening in another crunch match
for the division, and should take the points at home to La Trobe Uni.
Geelong
pulled off a big surprise on Friday evening and moved themselves up to second
after beating Yarraville Glory 3:1 which means leaders Sunbury could go six
points clear if they beat La Trobe while Keilor Park will be a clear second if
they defeat Cairnlea. All to play for at the top of this division.
Victoria Division Five
Defeat for
Brandon Park, anchored at the bottom of the table and with suspension worries,
will almost certainly see them relegated and their visitors, Croydon City
Arrows, look set to take all the points. Meanwhile the league leaders, Noble
Park United, are expected to march on with a comfortable win over Peninsula
Strikers at Parkfield Reserve with Nunawading City taking home the points from
their trip to second from bottom Springvale City. With a game in hand the
second placed side, South Springvale, are looking to cement the second
promotion spot and possibly even take the division from near neighbours Noble
Park United, with a win at Waverley Wanderers whose new signings, whilst
playing a part, have not really shone for them.
Victoria Division Six
Third
placed Whittlesea United have a useful game in hand against bottom side Elwood City
as they go into the match at Doyle Street Reserve against leaders Avondale
Heights who have proved that they are vulnerable at times. Heights had a tough
game and were lucky to come away from Northern Falcons with a point whilst
Whittlesea thrashed out a 2:2 draw with second placed Corio in their last
outing. This match could well decide the promotion spots and, as so much is at
stake, a draw may be the outcome. The bottom two meet at Elwood Park as home
side Elwood City, who recently sacked their coach and have the club president
in charge, meet Melbourne City in a challenging match which could see the
points shared. Laverton Park look to have no problems overcoming Northern
Falcons while Corio should take the points from North City Lions in a trip to Wallace
Reserve. Finally North Sunshine Eagles and Westvale should both return home
with three points from their respective visits to Strathmore and South Yarra.
West Australia Premier League
Armadale,
after giving Floreat Athena a beating in the league, went out of the cup in the
semi finals to Floreat 6:0 and sit just outside the top five and a berth in the
finals as do their opponents at Alfred Skeet Oval – ECU Joondalup. Armadale
have lost five of their eight home games and are without defender Andy Bowyer
who is suspended while Steve Amphlett has a full squad to choose from for the
visitors who do like to score goals – 37 so far, which is the highest in the
division, but they have also conceded 38, again the division’s highest, with a
leaky defence. Points may be shared. Down at Dalmatinac Park Tte Cockerels of
Cockburn City host the Gulls of Sorrento in a match that Sorrento need to win
to consolidate their hold on that fifth position in the table. Cockburn,
meanwhile, after a short renaissance have slipped back into their old losing
ways but with five games still to play they are not down yet and they have a
good 3-4-3 record in their last ten meetings with Sorrento but on current form
its hard to see them getting the points this time around. Western Knights,
after a defeat and a couple of draws, have moved into second spot but will want
to overhaul Stirling Lions and take retain the minor premiership in just over a
months time. Balcatta, who have injury problems, are the visitors to Nash Field
and they will most likely be going home empty handed and leaving themselves
dangerously close to the one relegation spot. Perth SC also have a distant eye
on the minor premiership and they too have had their fair share of surprises
recently not least of which was going down 3:2 to Cockburn. Mandurah City held
the Knights to a dire goalless draw last time out but are only just off the
pace for a top five finish but their away record is the worst in the division
with Perth winning all five of their last matches against them. This should be
victory number six for the men from Dorrien Gardens. The cellar dwellers battle
will rage at the Italian Club as Swan United host Inglewood United in what is a
genuine six pointer with the winners pulling out of the relegation zone and the
losers, whilst not down, left with a huge mountain to climb. Swan have Auguste
suspended for seven yellow cards and defender Michael Van Dongen is injured
while Inglewood’s coach, Shane Pearce, has a full squad to choose from. Half of
their past ten meetings have been drawn and Inglewood have come away with the
points in each of the past two seasons thumping Swan 6:0 in 2009. Back in April
the reverse was a goalless draw and this game could well be heading the same
way.
West Australia Division One
Bayswater
City, one of three sides at the top all on 37 points, have Dale Wingell’s
Dianella White Eagles as their opponents in a match which will be much tighter
than last seasons 9:0 thrashing that Baysie dished out to them. Bayswater have
the league’s leading scorer, Gustavo Maralunda with 20 goals, in their side and
he could be the pivot and achieve the points for them. Down at Hartfield Park
the two sides sitting in 4th and 5th meet as Forrestfield United, without both
Andy Harold and Matt Barnes who were both sent off against Caning, face
Gosnells City who have striker Daiten Twynan suspended for picking up four
yellows. This match will be close with an odd goal deciding it or ending in a
high scoring draw. Another of the top trio, Wanneroo City, make the trip south
to Fremantle Spirit and should return with three points without too much
difficulty having beaten their opponents in all of their last three meetings
whilst Canning City should come back from a fairly easy encounter with Queens
Park, who are bottom, with a win. Finally South West Phoenix, winners over
Queens Park 11:1, have Morley-Windmills making the long trip south to Hay Park
where SWP should ensure their visitors go home empty handed.
South Australia Super League
Two games have been brought forward since the coupons were
printed as Galaxy against relegated Cumberland and Western Strikers against
relegation battling Raiders will both be void. Adelaide Cobras, down in the
State League just four seasons ago, are also hovering around the drop zone and
the Friday results will give them the benefit of knowing exactly what they need
to do against Campbelltown City to help ease their relegation fears. In their
only previous recent meeting Cobras lost 4:1 but they have recently put
together a good run of results halted only by a narrow defeat at the hands of
leaders MetroStars two weeks ago. Campbelltown were unlucky to go down to a
stoppage time Brett Selga goal last time out in the league as they lost to Para
Hills and also had Michael D’Aloisio suspended for amassing four yellows an he
will, therefore, miss the Cobras game. A cup semi defeat by MetroStars won’t
have helped Campbelltown’s morale either and this game could end in a
stalemate. Meanwhile MetroStars will take their fifth minor premiership title
if they win or draw against Blue Eagles, who will be their cup final opponents
as well, in a crucial match at Marden. MetroStars beat Blue Eagles on penalties
in last season’s playoffs to reach the final but in league matches the Blue
Eagles have a significant advantage. Expect the champagne to be on ice for
another week in Klenzig. At The Paddocks Adelaide City will be hoping to
consolidate their poor season and make virtually certain of a top five finish
and qualify for the playoffs by beating Para Hills Knights and hoping that
Strikers slipped up on Friday evening. City finished fifth last season and only
narrowly lost the final to MetroStars while the Knights will need the points to
keep their faint hopes of the minor title alive if MetroStars lose. This tie is
finely balanced and could go either way although a draw would be a good bet
also. Friday’s results will change the shape of what is at stake on Saturday in
this division and the site will have the results and the impact posted Friday
afternoon (UK time) for an update on the thoughts about Saturday’s matches.
Friday evenings games saw Galaxy take a step nearer safety
when they beat, already relegated, Cumberland with a goal in each half whilst
Raiders beat Strikers with two goals in the last fifteen minutes to take the
tie 2:1. Cobras situation is now more desperate and they must win at Weigall
Oval against Campbelltown to pull back out of the drop zone with what will then
be two games left.
South Australia Premier League
Adelaide
Hills racked up their ninth successive defeat at the hands of Croydon Kings and
now face West Adelaide who are involved, along with Hills, and three others in
a relegation battle which has taken so many twists and turns of late its
impossible to guess which two will drop into the State League. Hills have home
advantage at the Hawks Nest where they have a good record and West’s have only
three points from their eight away ties so far. A lot at stake here but Hills
may just pull off a win. Pirate Park is not an inviting spot for visiting teams
and Enfield Falcons, who are jostling with Pirates for a top five finish, will
be smarting after their 5:0 drubbing in the semi finals of the cup last weekend
and hardly relishing this match but they have a good record against Pirates
winning five of the past eight matches and, given that they beat leaders
Modbury Jets last time out in the league, they may just scrape home with the
points. Croydon Kings will be hoping the Jets slip up again on Friday night and
they can close the gap to a point, only the top side is guaranteed promotion,
with a win over White City who are bottom and desperately need the points
themselves in that relegation scrap.
The Kings look favourites to take the match.
Following
Friday’s match Croydon Kings must win at Frank Mitchell Park against White City
as they are now five points behind Modbury Jets who were held to a 1:1 draw by
Olympic. Defeat would mean that Modbury only require just two points to take
the title and that automatic promotion place whilst White City, at the bottom,
need the win and other results to go their way to avoid dropping into the State
League for 2011.
South Australia State League
Northern Demons have thrown away a few points recently
and travel south from Port Pirie to visit NAB at Athelstone Reserve. Demon’s
problems on the road are a lack of goals – they have only scored eight- and
this may be their downfall against NAB, who dropped points in a catch up match
against Seaford, but have a good record against the northern side. NAB need the
points for a top five finish and may just get them. Match of the day is at
Wilfred Taylor Reserve where leaders, Noarlunga United, have third placed
Playford City making the trip south from Elizabeth and they are hoping to
derail the leaders and place themselves in the frame for taking the title and
the automatic promotion place. The reverse went to Playford 2:0 in what for
these two was a low scoring game back in May. Playford’s Samuel Farncombe is in
form and is the league’s leading scorer whilst Noarlunga have the combind power
of Kindilon Maclean and Paulo Paris up front with
useful newcomer, Ben Cooper, netting a hat-trick in his first game at the club.
This is a close call but Noarlunga have had the better results of late and
should take the points. Seaford Rangers will want to keep their top five hopes
alive at Karingal Reserve and take the points from Gawler who picked themselves
up a place with a good win over Toros. Seaford also want to avenge their defeat
by Gawler back in May and should do so. Finally at Pennington Oval Toros, only
one win in six matches, take on South Adelaide also only one win in the last
six matches. Toros rely very much on Adrian Cazzetta to bang in the goals
whilst South have no real recognised striker and this may make all the
difference and give Toros the victory.
Second take on third at
Valley Road as Devonport City host Burnie United but there is an eight point
difference between the sides. Burnie have won only one recent match against the
Strikers and that was back in 2007. Expect some goals here – 46 have been
scored in the last seven encounters. So goals galore and a home win as
Devonport try to close the narrow gap on leaders Northern Rangers and take back
the title.