Sportsbet Blog

With round 1 of the new 2009 Hyundai A-League season out of the way we can now begin to take a look into round 2.

As a surprise for the Hyundai ALeague season opener, defending champions Melbourne made a very poor and sluggish start and were surprisingly defeated 2-0 by the Central Coast.

Adelaide United was very happy with the start to the new season after a convincing 1-0 victory over Perth Glory. Adelaide was able to convert from a penalty in the 31^st minute and then hold off Perth Glory to take a win to start their 09/10 campaign.

Newcomers, North Queensland Fury, will be a little disappointed with their start to the season after being defeated 2-3 by Sydney FC on Saturday night.

The second newcomer, Gold Coast United, has made a dream start to their Hyundai A-League campaign with 3-1 victory over rivals, Brisbane Roar. Jason Culina also scored in his Hyundai A-League debut.

The final game of the opening round saw the Newcastle Jets take a gutsy win over Wellington Phoenix, 3-2.

My tips for round 2 are as follows.

Friday 14^th August @ 8pm

Central Coast Mariners FC vs. Newcastle Jets FC

After the excellent start made by the Central Coast in round 1, I would expect them to be able to dismantle Newcastle in much the same fashion. The match will be played at Bluetongue Stadium on the Central Coast.

My Tip – Central Coast Mariners with odds of $1.90 @ SportsAlive by 2 goals. Final Score 3-1.

Saturday 15^th August @ 5.30pm

Gold Coast United vs. North Queensland Fury

This match on Saturday afternoon looks like it could possibly be a good old football blowout. This is a battle between the two new sides in the Hyundai A-League and will be played at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast. My bet is on a second Gold Coast United Victory.

My Tip – Gold Coast United ($1.50 @ SportsAlive) by 3 goals. Final Score 4-1.

Saturday 15^th August @ 7.30pm

Melbourne Victory FC vs. Brisbane Roar FC

After a poor start to their 09/10 campaign, Melbourne will be looking to regain lost ground and it is because of this that I am predicting a reverse of last weeks’ match. This is bound to be a great game on Saturday night at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne.

My Tip – Melbourne Victory ($2 @ SportsAlive) by 2 goals. Final Score 2-0.

Sunday 16^th August @ 5pm

Wellington Phoenix FC vs. Perth Glory FC

After both teams suffered a loss in the first round and with neither of them looking really threatening, my tip for this match to be played at Westpac Stadium, Wellington is a draw.

My Tip – Draw ($3.25 @ SportsAlive). Final Score 1-1.

Sunday 16^th August @ 5pm

Sydney FC vs. Adelaide United FC

Both teams were able to obtain victory last weekend and this made it a hard choice for picking the winner in this round two clash. For this match at the Sydney Football Stadium I had to go with my gut instinct and put my money on Sydney FC to win.

I’m Tipping – Sydney FC ($2 @ SportsAlive) by 1 goal. Final Score 2-1.

With round 1 of the new 2009 season about to kick off, things are really beginning to heat up for all involved in the A-League. According to Ben Buckley, the Football Federation Australia CEO, “The Hyundai A-League is bigger and better than ever.”

The start of the new season also sees an expansion in the A-League with the inclusion of 2 new teams, Gold Coast United and North Queensland Fury. With the inclusion of these 2 new teams the A-League has grown to become a 10 team competition in only its fifth year.

The Hyundai A-League round one kicks off with the 2009 Grand Final winners, Melbourne Victory taking on the Central Coast Mariners at Eithiad Stadium on Thursday. Then on Friday, last year’s second place finishers, Adelaide United will face a revamped Perth Glory side.

This great opening to the season will be backed up by soccer matches on Saturday between new side North Queensland Fury and Sydney FC and then later that night we have Brisbane Roar up against the second new team Gold Coast United. Sunday will see the final match of the first round played between the Newcastle Jets and Wellington Phoenix.

Compared to last season, there will be six more rounds of football in the home and away season. This comes to a total of 142 matches including a Top 6 Finals Series.

The season will end on the 14^th of February 2010 and will be topped off with the Hyundai A-League Grand Final on Saturday the 20^th March 2010.

My thoughts and tips for the first round are as follows.

Thursday 6^th August @ 8pm

Melbourne Victory FC vs. Central Coast Mariners FC

This is set to be a possible blowout with reigning premiers Melbourne Victory taking on the Central Coast Mariners at Eithiad Stadium, Melbourne. The Melbourne Victory are $1.58 favourites and I would not bet against them in this opening round. A draw is paying $3.60 @ IASBet.com.au.

My Tip – Melbourne Victory ($1.58 @ IASBet) by 3 goals. Final Score 4-1.

Friday 7^th August @ 7.30pm

Adelaide United FC vs. Perth Glory FC

The match up here between 2009 runner-ups Adelaide United and Perth Glory could turn into a thriller at Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide. Adelaide United are the favourites to win, but not by much paying $2.15 @ IASBet. Meanwhile, Perth Glory are paying the same as a draw. $3.25 @ IASBet.

My Tip – Adelaide United by 1 goal. Final Score 1-0.

Saturday 8^th August @ 5.30pm

North Queensland Fury vs. Sydney FC

This could possibly be another close game as newcomers North Queensland ($3.25 @ IASBet.com.au) take on Sydney FC at Dairy Farmers Stadium. Sydney FC are the clear favourites with odds of $2.15 @ IASBet.com.au. However, the newcomers may very well have what it takes to win and they will be pushing to get there A-League season off to a good start.

My Tip – Draw ($3.25 @ IASBet.com.au). Final Score 2-2.

Saturday 8^th August @ 7.30pm

Brisbane Roar FC vs. Gold Coast United

The second football game to be played on Saturday night is Brisbane Roar ($2.50 @ IASBet.com.au) vs. Gold Coast United ($2.60 @ IASBet.com.au) at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. Looking at being a very close game, newcomers Gold Coast United will be striving to get on the board early and produce win.

My Tip – Draw ($3.25 @ IASBet.com.au). Final Score 1-1.

Sunday 9^th August @ 3pm

Newcastle Jets FC vs. Wellington Phoenix FC

The final game for the round to be played Energy Australia Stadium, Newcastle. My prediction here, I cannot see anything here but a win for the Newcastle Jets ($1.90 @ IASBet.com.au). Wellington Phoenix ($3.80 @ IASBet.com.au) will be lucky if they even have a chance of winning after half time.

My Tip – Newcastle Jets by 3 goals. Final Score 3-0.