If you have any questions on something not covered here, or just want some specific advice for your team, I will again be participating in the Zeebox Live Fantasy A-League chat on Thursday (changed due to the extra game this week) at around 2pm Eastern, so click the link at the appropriate time and join the discussion! Otherwise you can use the comments section at the bottom of the page or contact me on Twitter. As I'm writing this on Wednesday, the official squad lists for all the games are not available, but I've done the best to piece together which players are unlikely to play a part in the weekend's games - the squads for Central Coast v Wellington however are out and can be found here. Once again a big thank you to Ben for providing us with much of the injury and line-up news featured in this article.
Central Coast v Wellington (UPDATED)
Wellington unavailable: Carlos Hernandez (personal)
Captaincy options: Jeremy Brockie, Stein Huysegems, Kenny Cunningham, Daniel McBreen, Michael McGlinchey
Normally when teams play two fixtures in a single round it would be of the utmost importance to ensure you have as many players doubling up as possible; however, Wellington are winless and the Mariners don't seem their normal selves, highlighted by their 4-0 loss to Adelaide last week. Merrick had stated that he expects to play with the same starting XI as against Brisbane, however it has emerged Carlos Hernandez has been sent home over a personal issue. So if you were thinking about bringing him in - forget it! The other main options however, namely Jeremy Brockie, Stein Huysegems and Kenny Cunningham, will all start at least one of the two games this round, while Paul Ifill starts on the Bunnings. Whether they can back it up with another start just 3 days later is something coaches must think about before selecting any as captain. Brockie's poor run continued last week, managing only 1 shot (and it was off-target). The normally reliable striker therefore must be considered a risky choice for captain. Cheapie Reece Caira has failed to reclaim his spot in the squad, so he's one Phoenix player you should not be starting this round.
The Mariners have quite a few concerns as well - but managers at least can be relieved that Liam Reddy will not be dropped for his error in Adelaide last weekend. Mitchell Duke was suffering from a virus so he is no certainty to start, though reports are that he 'trained well' later in the week, so he should be ok. while Michael McGlinchey (who may soon be on his way to Japan) is only rated as a 50/50 chance to play. The Mariners at least have an extra day than the Phoenix before their second game in this round. Daniel McBreen was guilty of wasting several chances in Adelaide and generally looked out of sorts. Those who are still considering him as captain at least will be happy to know he has a good scoring record against the Phoenix, netting in all 3 encounters last season, and the Wanderers, who he's also put 3 past. He's also confirmed to start against Wellington. Marcos Flores' struggles continued against Adelaide, coming off after 60 minutes with no shots, no chances created and just 19 completed passes. You'd be a brave coach to make him captain in this form. Unfortunately, there are no real standout choices as captain from either Wellington or the Mariners, and there's no guarantee of 180 minutes - or points - from any of the guns.
Brisbane v Newcastle
Newcastle unavailable: Scott Neville, Nathan Burns (injured)
Captaincy options: Besart Berisha, Ivan Franjic
Besart Berisha's scoring run came to an end after his penalty was saved by Moss, but his owners will be glad to know he is set to play after training away from the main group this week. Ivan Franjic also trained away from the main group but is set to start (as are Liam Miller and Jade North), following on from this 3rd goal of the season last week, having been restored to his favoured position on the right wing. There's been no word on whether Shane Stefanutto's hamstring woes are over or not, so Corey Brown owners may get yet another week out of the cheapie defender. North's return however means it is time to move on James Donachie should you have him, while Kwame Yeboah and Henrique have already made way for Miller and Franjic. Thomas Broich grabbed an assist in another attempt to dissuade his owners from moving him on, though some will probably be trading him out this week for players doubling up like Hernandez, Flores and McGlinchey - my concerns about those 3 have already been outlined.
Expect similar line-up from the Jets Friday night, with Nathan Burns again ruled out and Emile Heskey a major concern. Gary van Egmond has however indicated he wants to 'change things up a little bit' in the front third, so whether that relates to tactics or personnel remains to be seen. Adam Taggart, who destroyed the Roar with a brace earlier this season, managed only one shot last week - which was blocked. Cheapie defender Sam Gallaway played another full 90 while Andrew Hoole at least made it past 60 minutes - just. The Jets really don't have a lot to offer fantasy managers at the moment, to be brutally honest, and I can't see that changing aside from Taggart getting hot again.
Heart v Victory
Victory unavailable: (none)
Captaincy options: David Williams, Archie Thompson
The Heart's woes continued last weekend with most of their forwards guilty of squandering chances as usual, including Michael Mifsud, who nonetheless finally scored. That he then butchered another opportunity after getting his goal suggests he's not likely to suddenly become a regular goal (and point) scorer. Really the Heart don't offer fantasy coaches much - David Williams is their top point-getter with 37 and he's too erratic to be a long-term option, in my opinion. He does at least have a decent record against the Victory and scored against them twice last season. Harry Kewell is too expensive to consider at the moment, while long-range specialist Andrea Migliorini's points tally would look very meagre indeed if not for his 3 goals in 2 weeks. I wouldn't be expecting him to be scoring too many more goals, as he plays very deep and opposition coaches will be aware of his intent to shoot from range, in what are low percentage areas anyway.
Archie Thompson will be back for the Victory so if you've held onto him, he may well reward you. Archie loves a big game and derbies are no exception; like Williams, he also scored twice in the 3 encounters last season. Owners of Jason Geira will be relieved to know he'll be ok to play after copping a knock last week. Gui Finkler scored off the Bunnings last week putting a little bit more pressure on Muscat to give him a start. If either of James Troisi or Matthew Nichols is to make way for Finkler, my guess is that it would be Troisi - or even Kosta Barbarouses, with Troisi shifting out wide - but there's no need to be trading anyone out just yet; it's just something to be aware of and be prepared for if it does happen. Adama Traore's golazo and bonus points put him as the equal 3rd highest scoring defender - I wouldn't be expecting a goal scoring spree now, seeing as that was only his first goal for the club and fourth in the A-League, but he's a decent mid-priced option should you want a point of difference from other coaches - only 7.7% of teams currently have him.
Perth v Adelaide
Adelaide unavailable: Fabio Ferreira, Cassio (injured)
Captaincy options: (none)
It's difficult to comment on Perth given that they've just sacked their coach amidst a player revolt, but if we assume they keep the same 4-3-3 shape it's likely that Chris Harold, Ryo Nagai and probably Jamie Maclaren (or Ndumba Makeche) will form the front 3, while the defence will remain the same unless William Gallas returns, which may see Riley Woodcock make way for Jack Clisby at left back. Where it leaves Cameron and Ryan Edwards is anyone's guess, but fair to say that Jacob Burns will start and so will Steven McGarry, either at #8 or #10 - #10 being better for fantasy purposes. Sidnei and Shane Smeltz are both likely to miss through injury. Perth provide us with some cheap options that are nonetheless not terribly exciting. Whether the coaching change impacts this or not, we will have to wait and see.
Adelaide's tweak to its game plan saw the Reds hit long balls to the wingers, producing a fantasy gold mine for Cirio and Fabio Ferreira. Unfortunately, Ferreira came off injured and will be out at least until the game against Newcastle next week. His owners may need to look at trading him (temporarily) as he could be out for a week or two longer than that and thanks to the restrictive salary cap we can't expect much help from our bench players. Cirio perhaps is someone well worth looking at if Adelaide continue to play in this way. They also still look quite wobbly at the back so I wouldn't be rushing to bring in any defenders despite them finally keeping a clean sheet. Jeronimo may be 2nd choice at #9 now, but he will probably fill in for Ferreira wide right or left. Same as Cirio, he could benefit from playing in this role, but as he's playing away from home this week don't expect a goal. Bruce Djite scored but as I've mentioned before, he's not a big goal scorer - just 19 in 91 games for the Reds if my calculations are correct.
Wellington v Sydney
Captaincy options: (none)
As I've already covered Wellington, we've just the sky blues to analyse here. I was wrong about Joel Chianese being the one to make way for Alessandro Del Piero in the reshuffle - ultimately it was Matthew Jurman, with Seb Ryall moving to centre back and Ali Abbas to left back, and Richard Garcia to the left of midfield. Del Piero scored a magical goal before going off at half time, showing coaches both sides of owning him - can always score, but not on the pitch nearly as much as you'd like at his price. His owners will be praying for 90 minutes and a performance like one of the clashes between these sides last season, where he scored 4 times. Ranko Despotovic also scored last week, hopefully a sign he will be one of the more consistent strikers, and still available at a decent price - plus he's found the net against Wellington already this season. Chianese and Garcia are somewhat restricted by playing on the sides of midfield, so probably aren't quite strong enough options, though Garcia also scored in the previous encounter with the Nix.
Wanderers v Central Coast
Captaincy options: (none)
As I've already covered the Mariners I'll get stuck straight into the Wanderers. Things are looking up for Popovic's men, with everyone except for Shannon Cole looking to be fit for Monday's game. Cole may yet become fit in time to play a role, but it'll likely be off the bench. This means gun striker Tomi Juric (who scored off the bench against the Mariners in round 1) will return, as will Brendon Santalab - meaning a likely relegation to the Bunnings for Labinot Haliti, the only other Wanderer to find the Mariners' net. Mark Bridge scored only his second goal of the season last week, but I don't expect to see his ownership go much higher than the 1.8% of coaches it currently is. Jerome Polenz collected a clean sheet last week, and fortunately not a yellow card - one more of those and he's suspended of course. After earning 4 bookings in 5 rounds (from 2 to 7), he's not picked up another since. Meanwhile Matthew Spiranovic played 90 minutes for the 5th time in the last 6 rounds, but there remains doubt as to whether he's actually now the preferred choice over Michael Beauchamp, or if it is just due to tactical considerations. Beauchamp was the one to play against the Mariners in Round 1. Only 2.6% of teams have Youssouf Hersi, while Shinji Ono finds himself owned by 8.1% of coaches. Both of the Wanderers' big guns have been disappointing this year, with injuries and high price tags being no help to coaches.