Melbourne Victory v Central Coast Mariners
Mariners unavailable: Michael McGlinchey (out on loan), Adam Kwasnik, Michael Neill, Marcos Flores, Eddy Bosnar, Hayden Morton (injured)
Captaincy options: Gui Finkler, James Troisi, Kim Seung-yong, Bernie Ibini
Victory will be desperate to bounce back from the humiliating 4-0 hammering they suffered at the hands of their local rivals, however they will have to do it without Tom Rogic and Mark Milligan, who are returning from the Socceroos game in London. Kosta Barbarouses (and the Mariners' Storm Roux) represented New Zealand on Wednesday night in Japan, so be wary of his minutes being impacted. The key men for the Victory here will be A-League lynchpin Gui Finkler and James Troisi. Thanks to his exclusion from the Victory's ACL squad, Finkler's the closest thing to a guaranteed starter you can get from the Victory.
We've already seen early signs of ACL involvement impacting the minutes of Mariners players, with both Roux and Bernie Ibini dropped to the bench in the 2-1 win over Sydney. Roux may have to make do with the bench again this week despite Eddy Bosnar's injury (Brent Griffiths has been promoted to the squad for this game), though Ibini should be in line for a return to the starting XI. Kim Seung-yong managed to start and score, emphasising that he's a cheaper midfield option we should be looking at. Mitchell Duke also started and scored, though given the amount of rotation among the Mariners' forwards, I would suggest he is a risky choice. As the Mariners have struggled for clean sheets (and may continue to do so), some coaches may wish to trade out Liam Reddy for a cheaper option that has emerged (see the notes on Wellington v Perth below). This is fine if you need to free up some cash to improve the rest of your squad; if you want more clean sheet points, you're probably better off holding onto Reddy.
Newcastle Jets v Melbourne Heart
Heart unavailable: Ross Archibald (omitted)
Captaincy options: Mate Dugandzic, David Williams, Orlando Engelaar
Despite playing some of the worst football in the league and being close to out of contention for finals, the Jets backed up their away wins against Brisbane with success at Wanderland. I don't think it's a sign the Jets are about to come good - I think it was more a case of the Wanderers being particularly poor, much like Brisbane were in their defeats to the Jets. Adam Taggart scored his 4th goal in 5 matches; I still don't think we can trust him to be a consistent scorer (nor do I think he will score this week), but you could probably do worse given the failures of other forwards. I'd certainly have him over Joel Griffiths. David Carney was unsighted, while Sam Gallaway and Andrew Hoole both started, the latter helping himself to an assist.
The Heart are probably the best team in the league at the moment, and they'll need to keep it up if they are to make finals. I think they will - the Jets should provide no problems for them this week. After writing off all Heart players earlier in the season, now is the time we need to have them in our squads. Orlando Engelaar is playing in a more advanced role and seemingly cannot stop scoring, picking up returns of 13, 11 and 11 in the last 3 rounds. I'm not sure if he can keep going but he's definitely changed my mind and now has my attention, especially at just $182k. Mate Dugandzic is another Heart midfield option worth looking at, while Jonatan Germano may provide some effective bench cover. But the man of the moment is forward David Williams, who seems to have found some consistency at last. With 6 goals in his last 5 games, he's no doubt tempting many coaches into picking him. I'm still hesitant to trust him given how erratic he has been in the past, but like Taggart, you can do far worse, and as long as the Heart keep playing well he'll keep getting chances - it's just a question of whether he can continue to take them. I'd be tempted to look at a Heart defender given they have kept a clean sheet in their last 3 games, however Patrick Kisnorbo and Rob Wielart are the only two I'd look at and they are both awkwardly priced for someone who likes their defenders on the cheap.
Sydney FC v Western Sydney Wanderers
Wanderers unavailable: Labinot Haliti, Jason Trifiro (omitted), Matthew Spiranovic (returning from international duty), Tahj Minniecon (injured)
Captaincy options: Alessandro Del Piero, Ranko Despotovic
The Sydney derby looms as a must win for the Sky Blues if they are to be serious finals contenders; obviously, the men to make it happen will probably be Alessandro Del Piero and Ranko Despotovic, while Terry Antonis is worth considering if you're not interested in Engelaar or Kim. I don't think any other Sydney players are worth considering, unless you think Aaron Calver can keep his spot - not that I'd expect many points from him. Matt Jurman is more expensive and also uncertain to keep his spot, while Sasa Ognenovski and Nikola Petkovic are too pricey for centre backs. Seb Ryall returns to the squad this round and may take the place of one of Calver and Jurman in the starting side.
It's very difficult for me to pick Wanderers players with any degree of comfort given Popa's rotation policy and their ACL involvement. Tomi Juric wasn't even in the squad last week but returns this round and should start, while Matthew Spiranovic is out as he's still travelling back from London. One of the Wanderers ACL-only players, Golgol Mebrahtu, is being used as an injury replacement for Tahj Minniecon. I'd recommend steering clear of Wanderers players for the time being.
Wellington Phoenix v Perth Glory
Glory unavailable: Travis Dodd, Scott Jamieson (injured), Danny Vukovic (out on loan)
Captaincy options: Carlos Hernandez, Stein Huysegems
Conceding 5 goals for the second time in 3 weeks is a worry for the Phoenix, despite the 4-1 hammering of the Mariners sandwiched in between. Are the wheels about to fall off for Merrick's men? They weren't able to create much against the Reds, much like against the Heart in Round 19, with Kenny Cunningham's long range strike all they had to show for their trip to Adelaide. Perhaps the absence of Albert Riera is starting to tell in midfield. At home against a struggling Glory side, the Nix have an excellent chance of picking up a win. Of course, the men to count on are Carlos Hernandez and Stein Huysegems. Owners of New Zealand representatives such as Michael Boxall should be wary of their players being rested, though if you have Boxall there's a fair chance of a clean sheet in this game, should he play. He may also have to contend with the return of Leo Bertos this week. Reece Caira is out for the rest of the season, so move him on if you have him; left back / centre back Shaun Timmins has been signed as an injury replacement for him.
The big news at Perth is that Danny Vukovic is heading out on loan to Graham Arnold's Vegalta Sendai in the J. League, meaning that Jack Duncan is now the cheapest #1 keeper in the game. Coaches have two options if they want to take advantage of this situation; they can trade in Duncan as their second keeper for added bench cover, or they can trade him for their first choice keeper to free up some cash. Just be wary that Perth are really struggling, so don't expect many points out of him. And of course if you have Vukovic you must trade him out. Otherwise, there's not much else at Perth. Shane Smeltz scored to end a 4 game goalless run, however it was a total gift from Brisbane's defence - otherwise, the Glory did not look like scoring. Hence, you should be avoiding their players. Even cheapie defender Riley Woodcock cannot be trusted, as he was dropped from the squad last week and has not returned for this game.
Brisbane Roar v Adelaide United
United unavailable: Cassio, Jacob Melling (injured), Jake Barker Daish (omitted)
Captaincy options: Besart Berisha, Thomas Broich, Fabio Ferreira, Jeronimo, Cirio
After 3 games without a win, the Roar would have been pleased to get back on track with a 3-1 defeat of Perth. That said, it was not as convincing as the scoreline might suggest, as the Roar were not exactly pushed after a brief (and misleading) bright start from the Glory. Don't be sucked in by Ivan Franjic's goal - it was a header from a set piece, which any player could score from. What we want from Franjic at his price is to be playing on the right wing, where he can be a consistent scorer of points. He won't score many playing at right back, where he is currently preferred; also he played for the Socceroos this morning, so he may be rested. Thomas Broich took advantage of some shoddy Perth defending to score his first goal since Round 12; like Franjic, I'd be wary of thinking this is him turning the corner, though at least he is back in his regular left wing spot. Besart Berisha recorded his 3rd straight blank, however he has already scored home and away against Adelaide this season. Liam Miller's goal was only his second of the season; I would not be expecting any more given the role he plays.
The Reds responded to their disappointing defeat in Melbourne with a 5-1 annihilation of Wellington. Adelaide were well worth their big win, with Fabio Ferreira absolutely outstanding. On the opposite flank Jeronimo also profited; with Bruce Djite under an injury cloud he may start again this week, though as the striker. This would see Cirio return to the left wing (he spent last week in Marcelo Carrusca's spot at #10). Awer Mabil scored his second goal of the season in somewhat fortunate circumstances; I'd not be trusting someone who isn't starting regularly, and with Cirio and Ferreira both fit and in form his minutes will likely remain limited.