Wellington Phoenix FC - Gold Coast United FC

Friday evening sees two games, with the opener being across the ditch where bouyed by World Cup fever the Phoenix should continue their crowd growth. On the back of that it is hard to see Gold Coast rebounding from their toothless display at home last round. Mark Paston will have grown in confidence with his display in South Africa and goalkeepers thrive on confidence. Although the loss of Jon McKain is huge and his replacement by Jade North is not yet in place, the Phoenix should still be solid at the back. Wellington have firepower, and the signing of young gun Mirjan Pavlovic from Newcastle only adds to their depth - so it will take another fine display by Glen Moss and an on-fire Shane Smeltz and Joel Porter at his best to take home the points to Queensland. My tip Wellington win.

Friday, 13 August, 2010 - Westpac Stadium, Wellington - Local kick-off: 7.30pm (5.30pm AEST)

Referee: Peter O'Leary

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 3, FS3 HD & Sky Sports 2. Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is The Radio Network (Wellington) 1035AM. To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.co.nz http://www.ticketek.co.nz

Wellington Phoenix squad: 1. Mark PASTON (gk), 2. Manny MUSCAT, 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 6. Tim BROWN, 7. Leo BERTOS, 8. Paul IFILL, 9. Chris GREENACRE, 10. Oscar Roberto CORNEJO, 11. DANIEL, 13. Troy HEARFIELD, 14. Mirjan PAVLOVIC, 17. Vince LIA, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 20. Reece CROWTHER (gk), 21. Marco ROJAS, 22. Andrew DURANTE (c), 23. Dylan MACALLISTER
*two to be omitted*

Unavailable: 5. Diego WALSH (knee - 4 weeks), 15. Jade NORTH (international duty/clearance)

Gold Coast United Squad: 1.Glen MOSS (gk), 2.Steve PANTELIDIS, 3.Michael THWAITE, 5.ROBSON, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Zenon CARAVELLA, 8.ANDERSON, 9.Shane SMELTZ, 10.Jason CULINA (c), 13.Bas VAN DEN BRINK, 14.Joel PORTER, 15.Tahj MINNIECON, 16.Kristian REES, 18.James BROWN, 20.Scott HIGGINS (gk), 21.Golgol MEBRAHTU, 22.Adama TRAORE, 24.John CURTIS
*three to be omitted*

In: 8.ANDERSON, 18.James BROWN, 24.John CURTIS; Out: Nil; Unavailable: Daniel PIORKOWSKI (ankle injury - 4 weeks), Matt OSMAN (knee injury - indefinite)

Head-to-Head: All matches (played 3): Wellington Phoenix wins 2, Gold Coast United wins 0 (1 draw)

Newcastle Jets FC - Melbourne Heart FC

Heart started like they'd been jumped with a 12 volt battery last week but faded badly under pressure from the Mariners in midfield so this Friday they will need to keep their shape through the game and hope that the Jets spent a lot of their energy trying to overcome Adelaide. Like last weekend it may be the team that has longer to get their act together that triumphs but it should be an attacking game throughout with the newly tight-lipped Brank Culina happy to have his team speak for him on the park. My tip, a score draw.

Friday, 13 August, 2010 - EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle - Local kick-off: 8.00pm

Referee: Ryan Shepheard

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 3, FS3 HD & delayed on Sky Sports 2. Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is 1233 ABC (Newcastle) and 774 ABC (Melbourne). To purchase tickets visit www.proticket.com.au http://www.proticket.com.au

Newcastle Jets squad: 1. Ben KENNEDY (gk), 3. Adam D'APUZZO, 4. Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, 5. Ljubo MILICEVIC 6. Ben KANTAROVSKI 7. Kasey WEHRMAN 8. Michael BRIDGES, 10. Ruben ZADKOVICH, 11. Tarek ELRICH, 12. Jobe WHEELHOUSE, 13. Sash PETROVSKI, 14. Labinot HALITI, 16. Jeremy BROCKIE, 17. Marcello FIORENTINI, 18. Marko JESIC, 19. Ali ABASS, 30. Paul HENDERSON
*two to be omitted*

In: Nil; Out: 21.Brodie MOOY (not selected), 22. Kaz PATAFTA (not selected), 2. Taylor REGAN (not selected); Unavailable: 9. Zhang SHOU, 20. Neil YOUNG (illness - indefinite), 15. Sean ROONEY (calf - 4/6 weeks)

Melbourne Heart FC squad: 1. Clint BOLTON (gk), 2. Michael MARRONE, 3. Brendan HAMILL, 4. Simon COLOSIMO (c), 5. Michael BEAUCHAMP, 6. Matthew THOMPSON, 7. Rutger WORM, 9. Gerald SIBON, 10. Wayne SRHOJ, 11. ALEX TERRA, 12. Peter ZOIS (gk) 17. Jason HOFFMAN, 19. Eli BABALJ, 20. Josip SKOKO, 21. Kliment TASESKI, 22. Nick KALMAR, 23. Dean HEFFERNAN, 24. Aziz BEHICH
*three to be omitted*

In: 10. Wayne SRHOJ, 17. Jason HOFFMAN (promoted), 21. Kliment TASESKI (promoted) Out: Nil; Unavailable: 15.John ALOISI (Hamstring - 3 weeks), 8.Kristian SARKIES (Leg - Indefinite), 14.Kamal IBRAHIM (not selected), 18.Ante TOMIC (not selected)

North Queensland Fury FC - Sydney FC

Come Saturday two things will be answered: have the local community in the Townsville region really got behind their team, and is the excitement put out by Franz Straka's young side last round to be a regular thing. Sydney will be smarting over having been 2-0 up and stuffing it up against Victory last weekend. There are some connections between the clubs in personnel that will add some spice and with Mark Bridge out it will rest on Alex Brosque to stand up and be counted. My tip, an close upset to the home side.

Saturday, 14 August, 2010 - Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville - Local kick-off: 5.15pm

Referee: Peter Green

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 3, FS3 HD & delayed on Sky Sports 3. Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is Zinc 100.7 (Townsville) and SBS Digital. To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au http://www.ticketek.com.au

North Queensland Fury FC squad: 1. Justin PASFIELD (gk), 2.Jack HINGERT, 3.Brad McDonald, 4. Eric AKOTO, 5. Mark HUGHES, 7. Gareth EDDS (c), 8. Adam CASEY, 10. Dyron DAAL, 11. David WILLIAMS, 12. Panagiotis NIKAS, 14. Chris GROSSMAN, 15. Chris PAYNE, 16. Simon STOREY, 17. Osama MALIK, 18. Brett STUDMAN, 19. Isaka CERNAK, 20. Matthew HAM (gk), 21. Jason SPAGNUOLO
*five to be omitted*

In: 3.Brad McDonald (new signing), 9.Eugene SSEPPUYA (transfer clearance), 2.Jack HINGERT (promoted), 7.Ufuk TALAY (returns from calf injury); Out: Nil; Unavailable: 13.Andre KILIAN (3 weeks - foot)

Sydney FC squad: 1. Liam REDDY (gk), 2. Sebastian RYALL 3. Stephan KELLER, 5. Hayden FOXE, 7. Brendan GAN, 8. Stuart MUSIALIK, 10. Nick CARLE, 11. Kofi DANNING, 12. Shannon COLE, 13. Antony GOLEC, 14. Alex BROSQUE, 15. Terry MCFLYNN (c), 20. Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 21. Scott JAMIESON, 22. Sung-Hwan BYUN, 23. Rhyan GRANT
*one to be omitted*

In: 7.Brendan GAN; Out: 9.Mark BRIDGE (Hamstring - 1 week); Unavailable: Nil

Head-to-Head: All matches (played 3): North Queensland Fury wins 1, Sydney FC wins 2 (0 draws)

Melbourne Victory FC - Perth Glory FC

Also on Saturday night, both sides, who have real sights on the Premiership, will be up for it. Don't believe those that say Kevin Muscat is past it, he'll be making sure that he has a faultless game, and that is bad news for the Glory strikers. Melbourne's problem is lack of a sharp point up front and they may not be able to bring the close pressure on Perth 'keeper Tando Velaphi. He's a shot stopper and it will take the best long range efforts from Carlos Hernandez or swinging shots from Tom Pondeljak to beat him. My tip, hmmm ... Glory have just too much firepower (but don't write off Victory's guile).

Saturday, 14 August, 2010 - AAMI Park, Melbourne - Local kick-off: 7.30pm (5.30pm AEST)

Referee: Gerard Parsons

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 3, FS3 HD & Sky Sports 3. Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner 774 ABC, SEN Digital (Melbourne) and 6PR 882AM (Perth). To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au http://www.ticketek.com.au

Melbourne Victory squad: 1.Michael PETKOVIC (gk), 2.Kevin MUSCAT (c), 3.Mate DUGANDZIC, 5. Surat SUKHA, 6. Leigh BROXHAM, 8.Grant BREBNER, 11.Marvin ANGULO, 12.Rodrigo VARGAS, 13.Diogo FERREIRA, 14.Billy CELESKI, 15.Tom PONDELJAK, 16.Carlos HERNANDEZ, 17.Matthew FOSCHINI, 19.Evan BERGER, 20.Sebastian MATTEI (gk), 22.Nick WARD, 23.Adrian LEIJER
*two to be omitted*

In: 17.Matthew FOSCHINI (promoted), 13.Diogo FERREIRA (promoted); Out: Robbie KRUSE - hamstring; Unavailable: Archie THOMPSON (knee - indefinite), Matthew KEMP (knee - indefinite), Robbie KRUSE (hamstring)

Perth Glory squad: 1. Tando VELAPHI, 2. Josh MITCHELL, 3. Jamie COYNE, 5. Jamie HARNWELL, 7. Jacob BURNS (c), 9.Robbie FOWLER, 10. Michael BAIRD, 11. Branko JELIC, 12. Scott NEVILLE, 14. Steven McGARRY, 16. Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17. Todd HOWARTH, 19. Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20. Aleks VRTESKI, 21. Mile STERJOVSKI, 22. Anthony SKORICH, 23. ANDRIJA JUKIC
*two to be omitted* **MITCHELL and BAIRD subject to international clearance

In: 2. Josh MITCHELL (awaiting clearance), 10. Michael BAIRD (awaiting clearance); Out: Nil; Unavailable: Andy TOOD (knee- 2 weeks), Victor SIKORA (hip - 2 weeks), Tommy AMPHLETT (groin - 2 weeks), Chris COYNE (on loan - 8 weeks)

Head-to-Head: All matches (played 15): Melbourne Victory wins 6, Perth Glory wins 5 (4 draws)

Central Coast Mariners FC - Adelaide United FC

Can the Mariners repeat their HAL3 start run on this Sunday. Back then they got a lead on the field after 2 rounds and went on to the Premiership; but that was a much shorter season. Criticism of the Reds style in last weekend's draw shouldn't mask the fact that Adelaide know how to go away and snatch a win. With Joshua Rose cleared and into the left side for Graham Arnold's side they will look better balanced, and Argentinian Perez may come off the bench to meet Reds returning Flores in midfield. My tip, have to go Central Coast (my family would kill me)! Yellow scarf on!

Sunday, 15 August 2010 - Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford - Local kick-off: 3.00pm

Referee: Kris Griffith-Jones

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 3, FS3 HD & delayed on Sky Sports 2. Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is 96.3 Coast FM (Gosford). To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au http://www.ticketek.com.au

Central Coast Mariners squad: 1. Jess VANSTRATTAN (gk), 2 Daniel MCBREEN, 3. Joshua ROSE, 4. Pedj BOJIC, 5. Brad PORTER, 6. Patrick ZWAANSWIJK, 7. John HUTCHINSON, 8. Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 9. Nik MRDJA, 10. Patricio PEREZ, 11. Oliver BOZANIC, 12. Matthew LEWIS, 14. Michael McGLINCHEY, 18. Alex WILKINSON (c), 19. Matt SIMON, 20. Mathew RYAN (gk), 23. Adam KWASNIK *two to be omitted*

In: 3. Joshua ROSE (transfer clearance), 10. Patricio PEREZ (return from injury); Out: Nil; Unavailable: Nil

Adelaide United squad: 1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 4.Iain FYFE, 5.Daniel MULLEN, 6.CASSIO, 7.Lucas PANTELIS (c), 8.Adam HUGHES, 9.Sergio VAN DIJK, 10.Marcos FLORES, 12.Paul REID, 15.Francsco MONTEROSSO, 16.Inseob SHIN, 17.Iain RAMSAY, 19.Mathew LECKIE, 20.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), 24.Cameron WATSON

In: Marcos FLORES (returns from injury); Out: Nigel BOOGAARD (ankle - 4/6 weeks); Unavailable: Robert CORNTHWAITE (groin - 1 week), Travis DODD (groin - 7 weeks), Lloyd OWUSU (knee - indefinite), Fabian BARBIERO (ankle - 4 weeks)

Head-to-Head: All matches (played 16): Central Coast Mariners wins 5, Adelaide United wins 6 (5 draws)

Brisbane Roar FC -> weekend break

National Youth League

"The National Youth League provides players aged between 16-20 years of age a clear pathway from youth leagues to senior level and then on to professional level. When combined with existing State-based competitions, players in the national youth league will play between 35-40 games each year. Youth Players must have a minimum time on the park if in the squad.
Please note that squads are subject to change, and (OA) depicts overage player (born before 1 January 1990).

Westfield W-League

The first round of the 10 rounds of the 3rd season of the Westfield W-League will be held in November 2010. This will be a 7 team league after withdrawal of funding by FNSW and the resultant demise of Central Coast Mariners.

Chris Dunkerley for BOTN - 12 August, 2010

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