My weekly form guide will aim to provide you with the most important news and statistics for each game as far as fantasy is concerned, as well as my thoughts on how the matches might unfold. Ultimately, this should help you to make an informed decision on which players are in your starting XI and which gun you give the captaincy to. As always, if you have any questions or feedback about what I’ve discussed here, feel free to hit me up on Twitter or use the comments section at the bottom of the page. Also, you can find the official A-League squad lists for Round 1 here.
Sydney FC v Newcastle Jets
Jets unavailable: Heskey, Gibbs, Bridges, Cooper (injured)
Captaincy options: Del Piero, Goodwin, Burns, Virgili
The opening game for the 2013/14 season (and the first A-League game to be televised live on free-to-air television) looms as an intriguing one for fantasy coaches. Both sides underwhelmed last season despite signing marquee players, and neither really set the fantasy world alight either, aside from the genius of ADP. I’m not convinced much will change this season. Sydney’s preseason has been a disaster, playing some awful football and losing all four of their friendlies against A-League sides. Joel Chianese, who may start this match in place of the injured Gameiro, has scored 5 goals in preseason, but only one against an A-League side (in the 4-1 loss to Brisbane). The Jets meanwhile have very quietly beaten Sydney, the Mariners and the Victory; their only loss has been to the Phoenix and James Virgili has found the net 8 times. The absence of Heskey for the first 3 rounds may arguably result in the Jets playing a more fluid style of football, potentially resulting in decent returns for the likes of Nathan Burns – who should start up front in place of the departed Ryan Griffiths – and fantasy favourite Craig Goodwin, should Gary van Egmond play him on a wing opposite Virgili. Any of those may be worth a punt as captain this week against an ordinary looking and injury hit Sydney; should the Jets turn up to play they could very well rout the unsuspecting Sky Blues. Even in that scenario, you can probably still count on Alessandro Del Piero finding a goal from somewhere – the most expensive player in the game should always be a captaincy option.
Last season the Jets took the points in 2 games (3-2 in Sydney, 2-1 in Newcastle) and a 2-2 draw in Newcastle. ADP, Heskey and Goodwin all scored two goals in those games, and Ryan Griffiths netted 3 times. I’m inclined to think the Jets will continue their recent form against Sydney with another win, considering Sydney’s poor preseason and incredible list of players out injured or having injury concerns in the lead-up (including Tiago, Janjetovic, Carle and Bojic). There will probably be goals at both ends again; any scored by Sydney will likely come off the boot of ADP. The Jets may be harder to predict, but I think Burns, Goodwin and Virgili are all reasonable chances to get on the scoresheet. I don’t see either side keeping a clean sheet, and especially not Sydney, so you would want to avoid playing defenders from both sides for this one if you can. In fact, avoid playing any Sydney players not named Alessandro. Oh, and here's something for those of you considering Ruben Zadkovich.
Central Coast v Wanderers
Wanderers unavailable: Appiah, Barresi, Perkatis (injured)
Captaincy options: Flores, Simon, Hersi, Bridge
The Saturday double-header kicks off with the grand final rematch, with two likely contenders for this season’s prizes looking to land an early blow on their rivals. Both teams have had a bit of a shaky pre-season – the Wanderers were belted by Victory and could only draw with Adelaide, while the Mariners lost to Brisbane and the Jets (though their squad had been split for the Jets game), and beat Adelaide unconvincingly via an own goal. Despite key personnel changes, the Mariners will play the same way as last season. Matt Simon is back and has notched 3 goals in preseason, as has new recruit Marcos Flores. Flores looked very out of sorts against Adelaide but has apparently improved since then, so he may be one to watch this season. Fellow new recruit Storm Roux has looked great early, and fantasy coaches will be hoping he makes the vacant right back position his own. Who will start in goals for the Mariners remains a mystery, however most will be hoping it's Liam Reddy, giving us a cheap, premium goal keeper. The Wanderers meanwhile may be looking to experiment with playing out from the back, given the signing of Matthew Spiranovic, a different type of centre back to their existing stocks. We’ll have to monitor that – and the impact on fantasy points – as the season unfolds. In preseason, most of the goals have come from the strikers and wingers – Santalab 4, Juric 3, Haliti 3, Bridge 2, Hersi 2. The Wanderers should be more potent going forward with the inclusion of Brendon Santalab and Tomi Juric.
Last season produced four tight encounters, with a 0-0 in the opener, a 1-0 win for the Wanderers and two 2-0 wins for the Mariners, including in the championship decider. Daniel McBreen scored 3 of the 4 Mariners goals, and he will be absent for this game as will the other scorer, the now retired Zwaanswijk. Haliti notched the lone goal for the Wanderers. I think it’s safe to expect another close game with few goals, especially with the Mariners missing McBreen and McGlinchey, so if you have Wanderers and Mariners defenders you’ll likely want to start them. I don’t feel any of my captaincy suggestions are particularly strong, though Simon and Flores could manufacture something for the Mariners, while Youssouf Hersi – who the Wanderers have never won without – and Mark Bridge could nab a goal, as could either of Juric or Santalab, but I’m not 100% on what their roles will be so I’d suggest holding off making either captain – unless you are confident you know. And if you're playing Roux and / or Reddy, make sure you have bench cover or you will be risking Round 1 doughnuts, and not of the delicious, Satanic Krispy Kreme variety.
Victory v Heart
Heart unavailable: Mifsud (Malta), Macallister, Engelaar, Germano (injured)
Captaincy options: Troisi, Thompson, Pain, Nichols, Kewell, Williams
If the Mariners v Wanderers game turns out to be ‘one for the purists,’ this match should be full of passion and drama. I do question how the Heart will go this season, but normally they at least turn up against their neighbours. Both Melbourne sides have had shaky preseasons, with the Heart losing to Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane, as well as a draw against Perth in a second encounter. The Victory - who you can expect to challenge for silverware, scoring plenty of goals on the way - fared slightly better, smacking the Wanderers 3-0, though they have fallen to Adelaide, Brisbane and Newcastle. Heart have shared the goals around in preseason; though Williams and Macallister scored 9 between them when Aloisi dropped the difficulty to amateur, they’ve only netted once each besides. Similarly, the Victory’s top scorer in preseason is Finkler with 3, all against a Tasmanian XI.
Last season all three games finished 2-1, with Heart taking the opener and Victory the other two. Rojas netted twice for the Victory as did Archie, and Milligan scored one, while for the Heart it was Williams with 2, Macallister and Fred notching the others. With key absences for both teams – Milligan an especially big loss for Melbourne – I’d expect another close one, and probably goals again for both teams, so I wouldn’t be playing defenders from either side. Archie Thompson is always up for derbies, as was David Williams last season. Harry Kewell will want to make an immediate impact against his old club, while the other members of the Victory attack – Connor Pain, James Troisi and Mitch Nichols will likely all get chances to create and score. Gui Finkler could also be an option, though despite the hattrick I’m not convinced he’s anywhere near 100% fitness, and he may well start this game on the Bunnings.
Wellington v Brisbane
Roar unavailable: McKay (Socceroos), Lambadaridis (injured)
Captaincy options: Berisha, Broich, Franjic
The first of the Sunday arvo games sees a resurgent Brisbane heading to Wellington, to give Ernie Merrick a huge test in his first game back in the A-League. Brisbane have conquered all before them in preseason, losing only their first game to Lions FC. Since then, they’ve beaten Mariners, Sydney and both Melbourne teams, as well as hitting 11 against 2 state league sides, including Queensland NPL premiers Olympic FC. Berisha alone scored nine – four of those against A-League opposition. His understudy Kwame Yeboah has scored a brace against Sydney and another against the Victory; though I think he’ll be starved of opportunities unless Berisha is out long term. Brisbane look to be back and hungry again, which is a worrying sign for the other A-League clubs (and fantasy managers desperately trying to fit as many Roar guns in their side as possible). The Nix, rebuilding under Ernie Merrick, have looked ok, beating both the Jets and Sydney FC while losing 2-1 to the Wanderers. Huysegems has scored a massive 11 goals, but none against A-League teams. For this fixture Brisbane loses McKay to the Socceroos and the Nix will be without all of their All Whites players, including top scorer Jeremy Brockie. This leaves them severely weakened and seemingly ripe for the picking for the Roar, though stranger things have happened in football, such as this.
Last season saw 2 wins for the Roar in Brisbane, and a 1-1 draw in Wellington. Besart Berisha scored in all 3 games, which probably makes him your strongest candidate for captain. Stein Huysegems and Brockie netted for the Nix, while both of Brisbane’s other scorers have since departed – Lustica and Halloran. Other captaincy options include Brisbane’s other killer B, Thomas Broich, and Ivan Franjic, who could net you goals or assists along with a clean sheet if he plays on a wing. Given the strength of these three candidates, I wouldn’t recommend looking at any other players for captain if you have any or all of them, unless you want a point of difference to other coaches. I can’t see the Nix keeping out the Roar, so your cheapie Nix defenders like Reece Caira and Michael Boxall (who will play here with Durante absent) should stay on the bench. All of your Brisbane players should be starting this one. The returning Carlos Hernandez may still be able to produce the spectacular but I don’t have enough confidence to recommend picking him as captain, or putting any other Nix player on the field for that matter.
Adelaide v Perth
Glory unavailable: Smeltz, Dodd, Duncan (injured)
Captaincy options: Carrusca, Jeronimo, Maclaren, Cirio
The last game of the round may be the most entertaining, with both sides looking to keep the ball and play positive, enterprising football. Adelaide’s preseason has been impressive, losing only to the Mariners and drawing with the Wanderers, both thanks to an own goal. They’ve also beaten both Melbourne sides and run up some big scores against lesser opposition. Carrusca, who is looking to become Adelaide’s key creative force in midfield following Vidosic’s departure, netted a brace against the Heart and may be on penalty duties for the Reds, as one was from the spot. Perth meanwhile have beaten Heart and Sydney, and drawn with the Heart in an additional fixture. Young striker Jamie Maclaren, who will start in place of the injured Smeltz, has scored 6 times, including a goal against Heart and a brace against Sydney. Cheap defensive option Steve Pantelidis was supposedly suspended for this clash, yet he's listed in the official squad, so make of that what you will. In case you missed it, professional hipster and sometimes footballer Ljubo Milicevic has already buggered off, so if he's in your team you need to move him on. With Djite injured, Adelaide has added Brent McGrath on a short-term contract, though he may score a full season deal if he impresses. This spells bad news for Jake Barker-Daish, who I previously identified as a smoky to lead the line in Djite’s absence. McGrath is a cheap but risky pick for your forward line, because even if he does sign beyond the first four games I’m doubtful he can keep Djite out of the team. I’m not even convinced he will start against Perth.
Last season saw a 1-1 draw in each city, plus a 3-2 home win for Adelaide, with the Reds leading that match 3-0 until the 89th minute. Jeronimo scored a brace in that game, and could be good for a goal again here should he overcome an injury concern, which also hangs over Michael Zullo. He’ll likely be playing on a wing, and while wingers generally aren’t great picks as forwards, Adelaide could be looking to play a false nine system similar to the Victory, which generally involves the wingers being played in behind the back line by the deeper lying forward for goals. Cirio, who could start on the opposite wing or in the middle, is another captaincy option, as he’ll want to show off his goal scoring prowess from the start. Marcelo Carrusca as Adelaide’s key man in the middle should be a safe captain pick. Of Perth’s scorers in the corresponding fixtures from last season, only Steven McGarry (a favourite of ours here at SuperCoach HQ) is available for this match. I’d think Jamie Maclaren is the most likely Perth player to net a goal. With both sides looking to play positive, attacking football, I think a clean sheet for either side is unlikely, though the game should nonetheless be a tight contest, so I’d start Perth and Adelaide defenders over, say, their Sydney or Wellington counterparts. I’m not sure what to expect from this game, I think there should be goals, but as an Adelaide fan I can’t wait to get down to Coopers Stadium on Sunday and have all kinds of conflicting emotions when my Perth players score.