A quick heads up - in case you missed it, Bernie Ibini, Tomi Juric, Mark Milligan and Nikolai Topor-Stanley have all been called up to the Socceroos and will miss Round 1, and potentially Round 2. Likewise, Ali Abbas has been called up by Iraq and Marc Janko is Austria's captain, meaning they too will likely miss the first two rounds. New Zealand do not appear to have any matches scheduled in this period, so feel free to pick any of their regulars (Storm Roux, Kosta Barbarouses etc.) for your starting squad.
Also, the Young Socceroos squad for the under-19 AFC Championship has been named and a host of young players will be missing for at least the first round, potentially longer depending on how far they advance in the tournament. Some of the more fantasy-relevant players selected are Awer Mabil, Scott Galloway, Daniel De Silva and Chris Naumoff.
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Adelaide United
What to expect: More of the same. Adelaide – last season’s top scorers – will look to attack while controlling the ball, though this season they must shore things up at the back if they want to challenge for silverware. Gombau intends to use both a 4-3-3 and a 3-4-3 formation this season, potentially causing havoc for coaches who pick Adelaide defenders.
Returning guns:
Fabio Ferreira (MID, $325k, 5ppg) was Adelaide’s fantasy king last season. However, he’s extremely injury prone and it’s therefore unsurprising he’s missed virtually all of preseason and will likely still be on the sidelines when the season kicks off. So I'd avoid him for now. Cirio may be the man to step up in Ferreira’s absence, though his price is awkward and occasionally having to fill in for Djite and Carrusca hurts his prospects. Awer Mabil (FWD, $175k, 2ppg) could also see a rise in his stocks this campaign, but I suspect he’s at least a year away from becoming a fantasy star. He’s also going to miss the start of the season playing for the Young Socceroos.
Marcelo Carrusca (MID $325k, 4.6ppg) was Adelaide’s next best, though inconsistency and injury proneness will probably see many coaches overlook him for the more reliable premium options.
New faces:
Craig Goodwin (MID, $200k, 2.6ppg) arrives with great expectations. However, I think there are too many questions to say 'lock him in.' Exactly what role he will play in the squad is the major issue – if playing as a wide forward (where he will likely start the season in the absence of Mabil and Ferreira) you can consider him. If playing at left back, you probably wouldn't. Being a MID means he also misses out on the 4 point clean sheets.
Dylan McGowan (DEF, $100k) looms as a solid cheapie for your bench. A regular spot in the starting XI is uncertain (especially with the formation changes), though based on preseason he’s clearly in the mix and will line up in Round 1 if Osama Malik is still suffering from injury.
Jimmy Jeggo (MID, $175k, 1.8) will be a hit at Adelaide, but I don’t see him being a fantasy standout. He’ll have too much dirty work to do in midfield.
Pablo Sanchez (FWD, $200k) will potentially be asked to perform a number of different roles this season, which probably kills his fantasy prospects. Against Brisbane and Adelaide City he lined up in midfield, not where you want one of your FWDs playing.
Ben Warland (DEF, $100k), Dylan Smith (MID, $100k) and Mark Ochieng (DEF, $100k) probably won’t get enough minutes to be much help to your fantasy sides. Ochieng and Warland are away with the Young Socceroos at the beginning of the season anyway.
Brisbane Roar
What to expect: The Roar style is set in stone, so expect them – like Adelaide – to play a high-possession and attacking style. The Roar are far more reliable in defence, however, conceding the fewest goals of any side last season. The big question looms over whether they can replace Berisha, and to a lesser degree Ivan Franjic. Additionally, who will play in the back four is a question on the minds of fantasy coaches, given Shane Stefanutto (DEF, $150k, 2.7ppg), Jack Hingert (DEF, $150k, 2.9ppg) and James Donachie (DEF, $175k, 2.3ppg) are all cheap and in the mix.
Returning guns:
Thomas Broich (MID, $350k, 5ppg) is the man to have in fantasy, being a reliable scorer of points and durable. The Fox boys love him so he’ll consistently net you bonus points in addition to assists, shot assists and perhaps the odd goal. Whether he can keep it up is the only question, especially with Berisha no longer in the side.
New faces:
Mensur Kurtishi is the man Brisbane have brought in to directly replace Berisha. He has been a relatively consistent scorer previously in his career and he’s at a reasonable price. The main question is whether he will get even close to Berisha’s impact as he seems less of a natural finisher (despite the preseason haul), but if he does you will obviously want him.
Adam Sarota (MID, $200k) returns to Brisbane on loan from Utrecht. He should be a major boost to the Roar’s hopes, however like Jeggo for Adelaide I’m not considering him in fantasy at this stage.
Jamie Young (GK, $100k) is Michael Theo’s (GK, 300k, 3.6ppg) new understudy. With Theo missing the start of the season through injury he will probably play early but I wouldn’t bank on him staying there.
Daniel Bowles (DEF, $125k, 1ppg) flopped at Adelaide and he’ll have his work cut out to break into Brisbane’s team. I’d stay away for now.
Kofi Danning (FWD, $125k) has had a massive journey to get back into an A-League squad. Previously he was an exciting talent; he’s not in first team contention yet though.
Central Coast Mariners
What to expect: The Mariners’ success is based on their defensive structure, and considering they are settled in the back half we can expect this to continue. The main mystery is how their two new offensive recruits will combine with Kim Seung-yong (MID, $225k, 3.1ppg) and Mitchell Duke (FWD, $225k, 2.6ppg) now that Ibini and McGlinchey have moved on.
Returning guns:
Liam Reddy (GK, $250k, 4ppg) was a massive help to many fantasy coaches last season, helping to free up a large amount of cap space after he unseated Justin Pasfield. While Reddy is not as cheap this time around he’s still underpriced, considering that last season he led all first-choice keepers in points per game.
Eddy Bosnar (DEF, $175k, 1.9ppg) is now likely a permanent fixture in the Mariners’ defence following the exit of Marcel Seip. While Josh Rose (DEF, $200k, 3.6ppg), Storm Roux (DEF, $200k, 3.6ppg) and Zac Anderson (DEF, $200k, 3.5ppg) are all worth considering, Bosnar is slightly cheaper and occasionally takes direct free-kicks, using his incredible power to threaten from long range.
New faces:
Malick Mane (FWD, $225k) looks likely to play wide on the right of the Mariners’ formation. He’s awkwardly priced and given the Mariners probably won’t be massive scorers (only Perth scored less last season) I doubt he’ll be a fantasy star, but he may at least be on spot-kick duties.
Richard Vernes (MID, $200k) will probably play wide on the left or at #10. I admittedly don’t know a great deal about him, but considering he’s listed as a MID and the cheapest of the Mariners’ attacking quartet, he could be worth considering.
Matthew Nash (GK, $100k) will be the #2 keeper behind Reddy.
Liam Rose (MID, $100k) and Anthony Kalik (MID, $100k) are two young players who probably won’t get a lot of game time. Rose initially will be away with the Young Socceroos regardless.
Melbourne City
What to expect: While the name and personnel have changed, the manager remains the same so expect City to play a similar style, though more successfully than last season. I’d expect them to be scoring a few goals, but perhaps letting a few in, at least to begin with while the new faces settle.
Returning guns:
David Williams – mentioned above – was Heart / City’s main strike weapon last season, though he was prone to being extremely erratic. Perhaps with more quality around him this season he can find some consistency.
Mate Dugandzic – like Williams is prone to frustrating his owners. He’s done well in preseason and managed to score fairly well last season considering his side’s struggles, however now being a FWD instead of MID he’s less tempting, even at that price, and he may not even start until a certain guest player has come and gone.
New faces:
David Villa (FWD, $350k) is arguably the biggest signing in the history of the A-League besides Del Piero, coming straight from playing at the World Cup for Spain and a title-winning season with Atletico Madrid. However, he’s only here as a 10-game guest player before leaving for the MLS, and he’s yet to link up with his City teammates. We can’t doubt his quality, but a possible lack of commitment to the City cause may be a concern.
Robert Koren (MID, $275k) might not be the household name fans were hoping for as City’s first marquee, but he’s a quality player recruited from the English Premier League and should score well, capable of notching both goals and assists.
Damien Duff (FWD, $275k) is an interesting signing for City, and should provide them with a lot of quality playing as a winger. He comes at an awkward price, and I’d have preferred him to be a MID, so he’s a bit of a risky pick.
Erik Paartalu (MID, $225k) returns to the A-League after a couple of stints in China and Thailand. While he’s a defensive midfielder, he has a reasonable goal scoring record so may be worth a look.
Aaron Mooy (MID, $225k, 3.2ppg) looks a terrific signing for City, being capable of playing both deep in midfield and at #10, as well as causing problems from free kicks. However this is an issue for fantasy coaches – if he starts regularly at #10 he’s worth considering, if playing deeper there are better options at his price.
Marc Marino (FWD, $125k) arrives from South Australia’s state leagues with a big reputation. He’s potentially a star in the making, and has already notched 4 goals in preseason. He may be another season away from getting the game time needed to make an impact in fantasy football, however.
Connor Chapman (DEF, $125k, 2.7ppg) gives City some depth in defence, but I don’t see him being in the starting XI without injuries to the likes of Rob Wielaert (DEF, $200k, 1.9ppg) and Patrick Kisnorbo (DEF, $225k, 2.6ppg).
James Brown (FWD, $150k, 0.9ppg) couldn’t make it happen at the Jets. Think he might struggle for minutes at City as well.
Jacob Melling (MID, $150k, 0ppg) may also find it difficult to break into City’s midfield, but even if he does he’s not the type of player you want in fantasy football.
Melbourne Victory
What to expect: With the 4-4-2-2 system being ditched for a more conventional 4-3-3, Victory will look to continue to score freely (only Adelaide and Brisbane scored more) while removing the defensive disasters which plagued their title challenge last season – only Wellington conceded more goals. With Berisha on their books, they may challenge Adelaide’s mantle of top scorers while defensive additions make them a scary proposition for any side.
Returning guns:
Archie Thompson (FWD, $275k, 4.1ppg) has been a consistent and reliable performer for Victory for many seasons, though this season may see him play more of an impact role. Granted, if you’re picking a premium Victory FWD, chances are it’s Berisha.
Gui Finkler (MID, $325k, 4ppg) made a successful return from a long-term injury, ultimately playing every game for the Victory last season. This season he will be fit enough to start every week, will be the main creative influence in the middle of the park and has a better team around him. He should be fairly high up on your want list.
New faces:
Besart Berisha – what is left to say? After dominating the league at Brisbane he makes the move to Melbourne, another free-scoring side challenging for the title. His temperament is a concern, as is his injury-proneness, but as long as he stays on the park chances are he’ll be banging them in. Forget that he let us down last season – if you want to win, you have to have him.
Carl Valeri (MID, $225k) will be a big help to Mark Milligan (MID, $250k, 3.9ppg) in the centre of midfield, however he’s not a fantasy player. If you pick him, you’ll be relying on bonus points, clean sheets and interceptions /clearances etc., as he won’t be scoring many goals. He may enable Milligan to push up more, however Berisha may take penalty duties off ‘Spike’ as well.
Fahid Ben Khalfallah (MID, $200k) can play in a variety of attacking roles, though initially I suspect he’ll be taking up one of the wide attacker positions. Looking at his record he’s not a huge goal scorer but he may be setting a few up, and he has already got off the mark against Sydney FC. At $200k and a MID he’s well worth considering (given Victory’s other 3 wide players are all listed as FWDs). He may also keep Pain out of the team initially, with Thompson or Kosta Barbarouses (FWD, $225k, 3.5ppg) playing on the other wing.
Matthieu Delpierre (DEF, $200k) replaces the much-maligned Pablo Contreras as the Victory’s new marquee defender. He surely can’t be as bad as Pablo was, and if he helps Victory to shore up their defence he is at an affordable price, as are his fellow defenders Adrian Leijer (DEF, $150k, 1.8ppg), Scott Galloway (DEF, $150k, 1.2ppg) and Jason Geria (DEF, $150k, 2.2ppg) – of those 3, I’d expect Leijer and Galloway to start, in addition to another new signing. Galloway misses the start of the season because he's playing with the Young Socceroos. Perhaps even Nathan Coe (GK, $225k, 3.1ppg) comes into contention given his price if the Victory can put it together defensively.
Daniel Georgievski (DEF, $150k) is the Victory’s other main defensive addition; he’ll likely play at right back, so of their cheapies he’d be the one to get I think (unless you want to be different).