Rather than join in on the back slapping, Brisbane Roar coach Mike Mulvey has opted to niggle newly-appointed Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou ahead of his A-League swansong on Friday night.
The tributes may have flowed since the national coach was unveiled but Mulvey was hardly jumping on the bandwagon on Thursday, questioning why Postecoglou had remained at the Victory helm for the Roar clash.
Mulvey also had a thinly veiled swipe at Postecoglou whipping up “scenes of delirium” following their last round 2-2 draw with Adelaide United, hinting that the Victory were under pressure to break their winning drought.
And Mulvey even wondered how the Victory would find life after Postecoglou, saying there was a “certain degree of uncertainty” at the club.
The stage is set for an A-League blockbuster with ladder leaders Brisbane taking on the man who put them on the map by leading them to back-to-back championships before he officially collects the national reins.
Adelaide United plays away against Central Coast at 5pm Saturday, boosted by the return of Sanchez and Boogaard from suspensions.
A-LEAGUE ROUND
FRIDAY
Melbourne Victory v Brisbane Roar at Etihad Stadium 7.00pm
Head to Head: Victory 11 Roar 8 drawn 6
Last clash: Round 24 2012-2013 – Roar 1 drew Victory 1 at Suncorp Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Victory $2.60 Roar $2.50 Draw $3.40
Newly-appointed Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou faces his old side Brisbane in his last match in charge of Victory. And while he doesn’t want any fanfare, he’s given his charges one mandate: to attack. Brisbane however will no doubt be on the attack themselves having netted more goals than any other team so far this season to sit at the top of the table as the only side to have posted two victories. They’ll also be flying high after their 4-0 drubbing of Sydney last week – a result they managed without their most prolific scorer Besart Berisha, who will also miss Friday’s match. Brazilian Henrique is likely to start in place of the Albanian superboot.
Key: Matt McKay. He has already proved invaluable in his second stint at Brisbane, marshalling the midfield and creating two of the four goals last week.
Tip: Victory
SATURDAY
Central Coast Mariners v Adelaide United at Bluetongue Stadium 5.00pm
Head to Head: Mariners 13 AdUtd 6 drawn 7
Last clash: Round 26 2012-2013 – Mariners 2 bt AdUtd 0 at Coopers Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Mariners $1.75 AdUtd $3.50 Draw $4.40
Adelaide will be boosted by the return of Spanish recruit Isaias Sanchez and central-defender Nigel Boogaard from suspensions incurred in their season-opening win over Perth. The Reds have got a poor record against the Mariners, having lost their past eight clashes, but with new coach Josep Gombau at the helm look far more dangerous in attack and will be looking to snap their run against the champions. The Mariners didn’t look their usual selves against the Heart last week, coming from behind to snatch a 2-2 draw thanks to two Marcos Flores penalties. The former Victory player has already proved a crucial signing for the Mariners and will be out to add to his goal tally at home.
Key: Jeronimo Neumann. The Argentine striker is in superb form and has already netted three goals is two games this season.
Tip: Mariners
Sydney FC v Western Sydney Wanderers at Allianz Stadium 7.00pm
Head to Head: SydFC 1 Western Sydney 1 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 26 2012-2013 – Western Sydney 1 drew SydFC 1 at Pirtek Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: SydFC $4.00 Western Sydney $1.85 Draw $3.40
The first Sydney derby of the season comes at a time when both sides are desperate to get the three points. Sydney will be looking to rebound from their humiliating 4-0 drubbing away to Brisbane while the Wanderers are yet to post a victory this campaign. Not much separates the two sides when it comes to derbies with both sides posting a win apiece and a draw. In a massive blow for Sydney, they’ll likely be without injured skipper Alessandro Del Piero. Speedy attacker Yairo Yau is back from international duty and is likely to start on the bench. Key midfielder Aaron Mooy (concussion) is the only player in doubt for the Wanderers.
Key: Youssouf Hersi. The livewire winger continues to cause trouble for opposition down the right and is combining well with Shinji Ono, Mark Bridge and new striker Tomi Juric.
Tip: Wanderers
SUNDAY
Wellington Phoenix v Newcastle Jets at McLean Park 2.30pm
Head to Head: Phoenix 12 Jets 6 drawn 2
Last clash: Round 22 2012-2013 – Jets 2 bt Phoenix 1 at Westpac Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Phoenix $1.90 Jets $3.80 Draw $3.45
Phoenix showed they are a force to be reckoned with last week after coming from behind to snare a point on their trip to Western Sydney. This week they face a much easier task against a listless Jets and could well deliver coach Ernie Merrick his maiden win at the helm. Newcastle are the only side yet to score in the league and, with marquee man Emile Heskey still sidelined, they may not get off the mark anytime soon. It will be interesting to see what tactics Merrick employs against the Jets with his substitutions last week proving a game-changer.
Key: Carlos Hernandez. The former Victory forward has looked dangerous both games this season and could net his first of the campaign this week.
Tip: Phoenix
Perth Glory v Melbourne Heart at nib Stadium 5.00pm
Head to Head: Glory 4 Heart 3 drawn 3
Last clash: Round 20 2012-2013 – Heart 2 bt Glory 0 at AAMI Park
Tab Sportsbet: Glory $2.15 Heart $3.10 Draw $3.40
Both the Heart and the Glory need a win to kick-start their season, but Glory have more to lose after their sluggish start to the campaign. Alistair Edwards’ men played out a disappointing 0-0 draw in Newcastle after losing 3-1 to Adelaide in the opening round. Heart will be hurting after giving up a two-goal lead against the Mariners last week to settle for a draw. John Aloisi’s men however, don’t travel well having not won outside Victoria since December 2011.
Key: David Williams. The Heart forward scored a brace against the Mariners. Should he show the same eye for goal against Perth, Heart could steal a win.
Tip: Glory
