The Melbourne Victory will have its first home game of the season tonight when it hosts the Newcastle Jets at Telstra Dome at 8pm.
Last year’s Grand Finalists are lucky to have two points to their name this season, having scored a late equaliser in both their matches so far. Melbourne’s form, meanwhile, has been much more reminiscent of the latter stages of last year, with a solid 4-2 victory over the Wellington Phoenix and a scoreless draw against Sydney FC giving them the top spot on the ladder after two rounds.
Tonight may see the first appearance of Archie Thompson in A-League season 4. A starting spot is unlikely for the Socceroo-come-Olyroo, but chances are high we’ll see our highest ever goalscorer come on as a substitute in the second half.
Jose Luis Lopez is also available, although he will be leaving Melbourne right after the game for Costa Rican national duty. Carlos Hernandez has not been called up; nor have any of our Aussie players.
My tips for the weekend:
- Melbourne Victory to utterly destroy the Newcastle Jets. Not an inch of bias to that tip, although I would be equally happy with a narrower victory. Just don’t let Newcastle grab one back in the last minute.
- Adelaide United to beat Wellington Phoenix. I had high hopes for Wellington after the Pre-Season Cup, but the New Zealanders have looked a bit short of the mark in their first two games – at home, no less.
- Sydney FC and Perth Glory to finish a draw. Perth Glory, meanwhile, have surprised me. Unlucky to end up with a draw last weekend, I reckon they’ll manage a draw away against a Sydney side missing some key players.
- Queensland Roar to beat the Central Coast Mariners. The Mariners lost to Sydney last week, and I’m tipping they’ll do it again this week, against a Queensland Roar side boasting a strong front line, with Charlier Miller and Sergio van Dijk looking like great imports.
6 comments ↓
I think tonight will be a much sterner test than last week. I’m keen to see if Kaz gets some game time or whether he’s swapped the Newcie bench for ours. Not going to predict a result though because I had a really vivid dream last night and I don’t want to put the mockers on it =)
The preview on the A-League site says Kaz’ been dropped from the squad altogether. For the next Harry Kewell, he has a bloody hard time getting a game!
That was an awesome match! My hopes for the season are riding sky high right now
Omg mate how the hell did you pick the “utter destruction” of newcastle last night, i was confident of a win but i origionally prdeicted 3 -1 to melbourne, that was blown out early in the second half, but no complaints here thats for sure id love to be that wrong every week! lol!
it was a fantastic game, in the last 20 mins melboune pulled off abit and seemed to be toying with the jets, who i dont think were all that better, but melbourne were just a class of there own last night.
i was throughly impressed with the midfield, hernadez and lopez were fantastic, and this just in: billy celeski is my new favourite player(after caceres depature).
as usual the back line was superb, muscat and vargas, theo didnt see all that much of the ball but what he does do he does right, berger also look lively and is definately worthy of the rap merick has given him at this stage. was ashame to see thwaite come off early and hoping its not to serious.
which leaves us the front men, allsop, thompson and fabiano, all had a great game, a good understanding of each others game and allsop seems to have found his form from 2 years ago, even though his first might have well been archies. what fabiano lacked in shooting prowess he made up for enery on the park, the guy chaces every single ball.
cant really fault the game or the boys last night, this season is now well and truely on track for a succesful campaign, lets not loose momentum. can melboure can unbeaten this year…..hhmmmmm
Melbourne are back.
If Melbourne makes it through this first 7 games undefeated (draws & win) we’ve got the treble. They were just phenominal last night and gave the shout out to the league: WE’RE BACK!!!! Bring on Adelaide!!!
Leave a Comment