A-League 2010/2011

[Smart Punting]

The A-League kicks off tonight, so put together a Seaosn Preview and this rounds tips


Round 1 tips:

3.5units - Perth Glory win @ $1.70 (S)
1.5units - Melbourne Heart win @ $2.02 (S)
1unit - Adelaide United win @ $2.35 (S)
1unit - Gold Coast win @ $1.91 (S)

Season Bets:
1.25units - Perth Glory Champions @ $8.50 (S)
1.25units - Melbourne Heart Champions @ $8 (SB)
0.75units - Adelaide United Champions @ $15 (S)
1unit - Perth Glory Minor Premiers @ $10 (S)
1unit - Melbourne Heart Minor Premiers @ $9 (SB)
0.5unit - Adelaide United Minor Premiers @ $26 (S)
1unit - Brisbane Roar Wooden Spoon @ $8 (SB)
1.5units - Shane Smeltz Top Goalscorer @ $5 (S)
0.75unit - Sergio van Dijk Top Goalscorer @ $8 (S/SB)
0.5unit - Gerald Sibon Top Goalscorer @ $17 (S)
0.5unit - Paul Ifill Top Goalscorer @ $13 (SB)


Season Preview
The 2010/11 Hyundai A-League Season is finally back and what a season it looks to be. The off-season has brought much hope and anticipation for the season ahead, with inclusion of one new franchise and the transfers of some big names. Looking to match last years effort when of +33.35units.

New Team

Melbourne Heart - Just like any Melbourne based sporting club, the Heart will be a formidable force this year. They will be lead by Duthc coach John van't Schip, who was a 41 time international himself. They have qualtiy players all over the park, Clint Bolton who had the most clean sheets for the premiership winning side Sydney last year. Their captain Simon Colosimo, the general in defence Michael Beauchamp, ex-socceroos Josip Skoko and John Aloisi and then a big tall dutch striker Gerald Sibon who has played in some of Europe's top leagues and will be their main man. They have all the ingredients to be success, so expect them to be real contender.

Team to watch

Perth Glory - Made the finals for the first time in their history last year and need to improve on that. They have arguably picked up the best player in the off season in Robbie Fowler, who showed last year he has still got it. They made ME Bank Stadium (now NIB Stadium) into a fortress last year, but they have to improve their away form if the want to get the silverware. Should no doubt be a top 4 side and if they play well all around the country could see themselves playing on Grand Final day

Tough year ahead

Central Coast Mariners - Another team who has had a big turnover in players and a new coach in Graham Arnold. He has a tough job ahead of him as they need to find a solution in preventing the goals flooding in. They have lost keeper Danny Vukovic and proven defenders Nigel Boogard (Adelaide) and Dean Heffernan (Heart), and that will be really hard to replace. Another team on the slide and will be competitors for the wooden spoon.

Newcastle Jets - The Jets were the unpredictable side last year. They limped into the finals where at one stage the looked to be settling at the bottom. Branko Culina is a great addition to the A-League and he can coach, but he can only do so much. Expect them to be up and down again this year, but other teams have improved more than them and. Somewhere from 7-9th spot seems reasonable.

Going Backwards

North Queensland Fury - With the departure of Robbie Fowler, its is pretty much where to from here. They are a team that lacks genuine big name players. There has been a massive turn over in players, with 18 leaving the club. They were lucky to not finish bottom last year, but this year they are clear favourties to as they are gathering a squad to build for the future.

Brisbane Roar - Last year went from bad to worse, they lost Charlie Miller and Liam Reddy and then coach Frank Farina mid-season. Brisbane really struggled to score last year and now they haver lost their front man in Sergio van Dijk (Adelaide). They have lost their two young guns in Tommy Oar and Michael Zullo, although they have gained former Victory GK Michael Theokiltos and the classy Costa-Rican Carlo Solorzano. They will have many players playing thier first A-League season, so expect them to keep sliding.

Need to improve

Wellington Phoenix - Were probably the suprise packet of last year as they went all the way to finsish in fourth spot after being elimanated by eventual champions Sydney. Like Perth their home form was superb and their big supporter base gave a helping hand. Many of their players will be brimming with confidence after their performance in the World Cup and they will believe they can goa few steps further. Jade North will be a great help for their defence and with the very skillful Paul Ifill up forward they could very well improve on last year. Expect them to make the finals.

Gold Coast United - Were super at the start of last year, but seemed to slowly fall away bit until they were knocked out of the finals in the first week in a penalty shoot-out to the Jets. Their hasn't been much movement in the camp in the off season, Shane Smeltz went to China for a week then came back. They have lost keeper Jess Vanstratten (Mariners) but gained Glen Moss. Wouldn't be suprised to see Smeltz leave in the next transfer window. Last year was all about him and their leaky defence at crucial times. They rely to heavily on him and unless he has another stellar season the will slide. Will be battling it out for the 6th finals spot.

Season Favourites

Sydney FC - The premiers of last year have the tough ask of going back to back, which hasn't been done in the A-League yet. The loss of key players and the need to replace them is their challenge. They have gained a very good player in Nicky Carle and also the energetic Scott Jamieson. Had big pre season playing against the likes Blackburn, AEK Athens and Rangers, but the crunch time is when the seaosn comes around. They will be the hunted this year, expect them to be right up there, but only time will tell if the have been able to cover the class they lost.

Melbourne Victory - Would have been shattered to lose last years Grand Final on penalties and will seek revenge. But the key moment from last years Grand Final, is the key factor in this years season, Archie Thompson and his knee injury. He is the key striker who links up with the Johnny Warren Medal winner Carlos Hernandez. There was 11 games where these two didnt score and in seven of those games the team didn't score. With Archie gone for pretty much the season, they will rely on Hernandez too much, and Kevin Muscat isn't getting any younger. Could be a tough season, but if they make the finals they are the team you do not want to face.

Don't discount

Adelaide United - Last years wooden spooners have a lot to show this season. From making the Grand Final to bottom and then another impressive Champions League appearance. Vidmar has joined the national team so that has brought in the Dutchman Rini Coolen to lead the troops. His attacking style will be what Adeliade have been lookijg for. With two massive additions in Marcos Flores, who is superb on the ball, and the genuine striker they have been in van Dijk. They are capable of anything, expect them to be in the finals.

Final Word

This season promises so much with many contenders to take it out. Many clubs have seem to improved their list, with the new Heart side showcasing a very good line-up. As has been the case in the A-League, anything can and will happen, so expect someone to suprise and someone to disappoint. Ifthe Heart gel well they could win this by stretch, if the Glory learn how to play away from home it could see them dominate. The real darkhorse is Adelaide, who two seasons ago played off in the Grand Final, now they have a genuine striker, top playmaker and an attacking coach, who knows. What we do know is this is going to be a cracker of a season.

[RoosterMarty]

I am also on the Heart tonight, odds on Sportsbet were 1.91 now 2.00 so I've chucked a bit on.

[devilsadvocate]

Good write up there SP. (Although I do think some of those bets have come from the heart rather than head!)

I think an easy way to finish the season with a + in front of your punting account will be to bet against NQF pretty much every week. Roar won't be much better IMO.

Adelaide could be anything and are therefore far too hard to punt on.

I'll be taking an approach of betting for MV and Bling when they're not playing each other and against NQF and Brissy.

GC are another side that are virtually impossible to punt on. I got burned almost every time last season.

[RoosterMarty]

Not a great start. Heart lost 1-0.

[Johno6]

i lost a pineapple on heart also...

dunno wether to try n win it back on the reds tonight or not...

[devilsadvocate]

I put $20 on Perth to win, to claim a free bet, which I've put on a draw between Man U and the Geordies

But I saw the morning report on FSN says Perth have 2 new players on the sidelines due to clearnace issues, half the squad has the flu and a couple more out with injuries.

There goes my $20, but I sure as heck wouldn't be betting on Adelaide Utd until they establish what they're about this season!

[Smart Punting]

Good write up there SP. (Although I do think some of those bets have come from the heart rather than head!)

I think an easy way to finish the season with a + in front of your punting account will be to bet against NQF pretty much every week. Roar won't be much better IMO.

Adelaide could be anything and are therefore far too hard to punt on.

I'll be taking an approach of betting for MV and Bling when they're not playing each other and against NQF and Brissy.

GC are another side that are virtually impossible to punt on. I got burned almost every time last season.

Not sure axactly which bets thought came from the heart, or was that a play of words. Or you might be refering to thining Adelaide to go well and Victory to fall down. Honestly believe MV will fall, can't rely on Hernandez to score all their goals, and Robbie Kruse is no archie thompson. Adelaides list is better than two years ago when they made the GF, they will take a few weeks to find their structure of Rini Coolen, and they have a few injuries, but a month or two in they should be playing some quality football

[devilsadvocate]

Yeah, was referring to the Victory being virtually written off.

IMO Merrick won't allow it.

But I do agree that Adelaide are on the up.

IMO, It'll be Perth and Sydney up top this year.

[Smart Punting]

Round 2 tips:

•1unit - Draw - Victory V Glory @ $3.40 (SB)

[Smart Punting]

Round 5 tips:

2units - Melbourne Heart win @ $2.10 (SB)
1.25units - Mariners V Victory over 2.5goals @ $2.20 (S/SB)
1unit - Perth Glory win @ $1.93 (S)
0.75units - Draw - Jets V Roar @ $3.30 (SB)

[Smart Punting]

Round 7 tips:

•1.5units - Gold Coast win @ $2.10 (SB)
•0.75unit - Draw - Fury V Victory @ $3.30 (S)
•0.75unit - Draw - Heart V Phoenix @ $3.25 (S/SB)

[Smart Punting]

Round 8 tips:

•1.5units - Adelaide win @ $2.30 (S)
•1unit - Victory win @ $2.70 (SB)
•0.75unit - Draw - Brisbane V Heart @ $3.30 (S)

[the big bang]

$55 on Victory to beat Heart @ $2.05.

[Johno6]

i couldnt agree more bangalangadingdong
im gonna be all over that 2 bucks for victory...

[RoosterMarty]

No Colosimo for Heart as well makes the bet even better.

[the big bang]

you boys made me happy.

i have not a clue about soccer.

just trying somewhat of a drip bet, to make a few extra bucks for footy trip.

got sick of taking $1.10 and stuff. so thought i'd just go straight for the double up!

[RoosterMarty]

Victory @ 2.30 on Sportsbet. I am on that.

[the big bang]

Victory @ 2.30 on Sportsbet. I am on that.

i believe we didn't go too well?

[Johno6]

What does the minus below mean?

Adelaide United 1.75 (-0.50 / -1.00) 2.00

does that mean they win by a goal and u get that?
its the asian handicap? i dont understand it sorry

[mighty_tiger_79]

yeah its the asian handicap

AU win by a goal and its $1.75

win by 2 or more for $2

i think thats how it goes

never do that one myself