Melbourne V Sydney

The Age

Friday October 24, 2008

Michael Lynch

MELBOURNE V SYDNEY

TELSTRA DOME, TOMORROW, 7PM

TV: Fox Sports 2. Radio: SEN 1116 from 6pm

WHAT'S AT STAKE: Pride, bragging rights, and top spot on the ladder. Sydney has been gutted by injuries and suspensions and is vulnerable given that it has no recognised central defenders. Melbourne will miss Archie Thompson and Ney Fabiano, but still has plenty of firepower.

TEAM SHEET: Sydney is missing several big names, with Tony Popovic out with a hamstring, Iain Fyfe suspended and Simon Colosimo still unavailable. Victory won't have Thompson, but regains Jose Luis Lopez.

WHO ARE YOU?

Sydney. Does anything more need to be said? Shannon Cole has gone from state league to Socceroo possible in three months, Anthony Golec has come in from the youth team. Mitchell Prentice is a utility signed from Perth.

VERDICT: Melbourne to win, 2-0. If Sydney's defensive frailties are not exposed here, they never will be.

CENTRAL COAST MARINERS V NEWCASTLE

BLUETONGUE STADIUM, TODAY, 8PM

TV: Fox Sports 2

WHAT'S AT STAKE

A place in the top four and the chance to be top dogs in regional NSW.

TEAM SHEET

David D'Apuzzo is in for the Mariners, thus getting the chance to play against his brother and housemate, Newcastle's Adam. Mark Milligan gets his chance to debut for the Jets and begin to rebuild his career.

VERDICT

Draw.

WELLINGTON V QUEENSLAND

WESTPAC STADIUM, SUNDAY, 3PM

TV: Fox Sports 3

WHAT'S AT STAKE

Wellington gets an opportunity to crack a spot in the top four and post a second home win of the season. Queensland needs three points here, because it can't get them at home.

TEAM SHEET

Roar regain Dutch striker Sergio Van Dyk, but lose Tahj Minniecon to the Young Socceroos. Richard Johnson is the only absentee from an otherwise full-strength Phoenix squad.

VERDICT

Roar to win

ADELAIDE V PERTH

HINDMARSH STADIUM, SUNDAY, 5PM

TV: Fox Sports 3

WHAT'S AT STAKE

Adelaide can go top if it wins here, depending on the result in Melbourne on Saturday night. Perth can continue to restore respectability.

TEAM SHEET

Adelaide will be exhausted, but in high spirits. Paul Agostino is out with a groin injury. Dino Djulbic is a big in for the Glory after missing five games with suspension.

VERDICT

Draw. -- MICHAEL LYNCH

© 2008 The Age

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