Welcome to the Semi Finals edition of the Fantasy A-League Form Guide! This week coaches once again are given 6 free transfers to make changes to their sides. So now that Adelaide and Sydney have joined Newcastle, Perth, Wellington and the Heart on the scrapheap you should be using those free transfers to move their players out of your teams.
As everyone has unlimited transfers next week there is no need to balance the number of players from each of the 4 remaining sides you have. So, for example, if you feel like gambling on Victory upsetting the Roar, go ahead and load up on Muscat's men.
If you have any questions on something not covered here, or just want some specific advice for your team, join me in the weekly Beamly (formerly Zeebox) Live Fantasy A-League chat on Friday at 2pm Eastern - 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. You can find the full list of squads for the Semi Finals here.
As everyone has unlimited transfers next week there is no need to balance the number of players from each of the 4 remaining sides you have. So, for example, if you feel like gambling on Victory upsetting the Roar, go ahead and load up on Muscat's men.
If you have any questions on something not covered here, or just want some specific advice for your team, join me in the weekly Beamly (formerly Zeebox) Live Fantasy A-League chat on Friday at 2pm Eastern - 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. You can find the full list of squads for the Semi Finals here.
Western Sydney (2nd) v Central Coast (3rd)
Wanderers unavailable: Golgol Mebrahtu, Tahj Minniecon (injured)
Mariners unavailable: Marcos Flores, Michael Neill, Adam Kwasnik, Marcel Seip (injured), Michael McGlinchey (out on loan)
Captaincy options: Youssouf Hersi, Shinji Ono, Brendan Santalab, Mark Bridge, Bernie Ibini
The Wanderers come into last season's Grand Final rematch in somewhat shaky form, as they have won 3 games in the last 10 domestically. However, they have also just topped their group in the ACL, winning 5-0 at home on Tuesday night. The line-up used suggests Jerome Polenz and Youssouf Hersi will start, likely along with Shinji Ono, Aaron Mooy, Brendan Santalab , Mark Bridge and Matthew Spiranovic. Tomi Juric played 75 minutes against Guizhou, meaning he may come off the bench on Saturday and is thus a risky pick, especially as captain. That said, he has scored twice against the Mariners this season, including off the bench in Round 1. If Ono starts Mooy will play deeper in midfield so for this reason I'd avoid making him captain. The Wanderers defenders are generally thought of as reliable, however it is worth considering (before forking out big money) that the Wanderers have kept just 3 clean sheets (twice against Perth, and at home to Adelaide on a water-logged pitch) in their last 13 games. The Mariners have also not been held scoreless since Round 19, and beat the Wanderers (albeit in Gosford) in Round 25.
After successfully choking the Reds attack last week, the Mariners improve their domestic form to 5 wins from the last 6. However, they also suffered another 1-0 defeat in the ACL last night, ending their continental campaign. As the Mariners must play on Saturday night after arriving in Sydney on Friday morning, the scheduling is very difficult for them and tips the tie further in the Wanderers' favour. Bernie Ibini and Nick Fitzgerald travelled to Japan but were left on the bench, suggesting they will start, while Matt Simon was not in the squad and Mitchell Duke played just 7 minutes. The choice of who plays at #10 is also interesting, as Glen Trifiro, Kim Seung-yong and Anthony Caceres all played 90 minutes. Despite the Wanderers playing a different style to Adelaide and the Roar Moss may stick with his 5-man defensive line; this does not really factor into fantasy selection. Josh Rose came off the bench in Japan, suggesting he will likely start this game, while Storm Roux played 54 minutes - a bit of a grey area, though with Marcel Seip still suffering from a knee problem he'll probably start. Most non-Wanderers supporting fantasy coaches might be hoping the Mariners get through, as otherwise Liam Reddy will have to be upgraded.
Mariners unavailable: Marcos Flores, Michael Neill, Adam Kwasnik, Marcel Seip (injured), Michael McGlinchey (out on loan)
Captaincy options: Youssouf Hersi, Shinji Ono, Brendan Santalab, Mark Bridge, Bernie Ibini
The Wanderers come into last season's Grand Final rematch in somewhat shaky form, as they have won 3 games in the last 10 domestically. However, they have also just topped their group in the ACL, winning 5-0 at home on Tuesday night. The line-up used suggests Jerome Polenz and Youssouf Hersi will start, likely along with Shinji Ono, Aaron Mooy, Brendan Santalab , Mark Bridge and Matthew Spiranovic. Tomi Juric played 75 minutes against Guizhou, meaning he may come off the bench on Saturday and is thus a risky pick, especially as captain. That said, he has scored twice against the Mariners this season, including off the bench in Round 1. If Ono starts Mooy will play deeper in midfield so for this reason I'd avoid making him captain. The Wanderers defenders are generally thought of as reliable, however it is worth considering (before forking out big money) that the Wanderers have kept just 3 clean sheets (twice against Perth, and at home to Adelaide on a water-logged pitch) in their last 13 games. The Mariners have also not been held scoreless since Round 19, and beat the Wanderers (albeit in Gosford) in Round 25.
After successfully choking the Reds attack last week, the Mariners improve their domestic form to 5 wins from the last 6. However, they also suffered another 1-0 defeat in the ACL last night, ending their continental campaign. As the Mariners must play on Saturday night after arriving in Sydney on Friday morning, the scheduling is very difficult for them and tips the tie further in the Wanderers' favour. Bernie Ibini and Nick Fitzgerald travelled to Japan but were left on the bench, suggesting they will start, while Matt Simon was not in the squad and Mitchell Duke played just 7 minutes. The choice of who plays at #10 is also interesting, as Glen Trifiro, Kim Seung-yong and Anthony Caceres all played 90 minutes. Despite the Wanderers playing a different style to Adelaide and the Roar Moss may stick with his 5-man defensive line; this does not really factor into fantasy selection. Josh Rose came off the bench in Japan, suggesting he will likely start this game, while Storm Roux played 54 minutes - a bit of a grey area, though with Marcel Seip still suffering from a knee problem he'll probably start. Most non-Wanderers supporting fantasy coaches might be hoping the Mariners get through, as otherwise Liam Reddy will have to be upgraded.
Brisbane Roar (1st) v Melbourne Victory (4th)
Roar unavailable: George Lambadaridis (injured)
Victory unavailable: Tom Rogic, Scott Galloway (injured)
Captaincy options: Besart Berisha, Thomas Broich, James Troisi, Kosta Barbarouses, Gui Finkler
Premiers Brisbane enter the finals series after a week off, and having had no ACL commitments to concern them. In their last 5 games, the Roar have won just twice, however one of those wins came against their opponents on Sunday. Brisbane are also yet to lose a final at home, having won 4 and drawn 2 at Suncorp, and they have not lost at home to the Victory since November 2009. Besart Berisha will probably find his way into most fantasy sides despite his recent struggles with discipline, having been sent off in 2 of his last 3 games. A loss here would see his final Brisbane appearance be against the side he will play for next season. Thomas Broich will also be a popular pick given he finished the regular season as the second highest scoring midfielder, behind Victory's Troisi. Ivan Franjic's price may put a few coaches off, and rightly so - given that he is likely to remain at right back he's overpriced. Those after a Roar defender are better off going for a cheaper option, such as Shane Stefanutto. For coaches considering one of Brisbane's cheap forwards, recent history suggests Dimitri Petratos gets the nod to start over Henrique.
Like the Mariners, the Victory played away in the ACL this week, however they do not have the same scheduling issues having played on Tuesday and playing a day later in the finals. Gui Finkler and James Troisi are virtually certain starters having played no part in the Victory's 0-0 draw against Jeonbuk, while Kosta Barbarouses was forced to come on early after Jesse Makarounas was injured in the 38th minute. Defender Scott Galloway was also subbed out with an injury. Archie Thompson and Connor Pain both played 90 minutes, so Archie's place in the starting side may be slightly questionable, though Tom Rogic's continued absence probably prevents Muscat from pushing Troisi wide to replace Archie. Regardless, if you are considering Victory players it should be their attackers, and perhaps Mark Milligan (who missed the ACL game through suspension) if you want to gamble on them being awarded a penalty. Victory's defenders cannot be trusted - last week they again failed to keep a clean sheet; as mentioned last week, they have not done so in the A-League since Round 10. For those of you who do want to take the gamble, avoid Adrian Leijer, who is in doubt.
Victory unavailable: Tom Rogic, Scott Galloway (injured)
Captaincy options: Besart Berisha, Thomas Broich, James Troisi, Kosta Barbarouses, Gui Finkler
Premiers Brisbane enter the finals series after a week off, and having had no ACL commitments to concern them. In their last 5 games, the Roar have won just twice, however one of those wins came against their opponents on Sunday. Brisbane are also yet to lose a final at home, having won 4 and drawn 2 at Suncorp, and they have not lost at home to the Victory since November 2009. Besart Berisha will probably find his way into most fantasy sides despite his recent struggles with discipline, having been sent off in 2 of his last 3 games. A loss here would see his final Brisbane appearance be against the side he will play for next season. Thomas Broich will also be a popular pick given he finished the regular season as the second highest scoring midfielder, behind Victory's Troisi. Ivan Franjic's price may put a few coaches off, and rightly so - given that he is likely to remain at right back he's overpriced. Those after a Roar defender are better off going for a cheaper option, such as Shane Stefanutto. For coaches considering one of Brisbane's cheap forwards, recent history suggests Dimitri Petratos gets the nod to start over Henrique.
Like the Mariners, the Victory played away in the ACL this week, however they do not have the same scheduling issues having played on Tuesday and playing a day later in the finals. Gui Finkler and James Troisi are virtually certain starters having played no part in the Victory's 0-0 draw against Jeonbuk, while Kosta Barbarouses was forced to come on early after Jesse Makarounas was injured in the 38th minute. Defender Scott Galloway was also subbed out with an injury. Archie Thompson and Connor Pain both played 90 minutes, so Archie's place in the starting side may be slightly questionable, though Tom Rogic's continued absence probably prevents Muscat from pushing Troisi wide to replace Archie. Regardless, if you are considering Victory players it should be their attackers, and perhaps Mark Milligan (who missed the ACL game through suspension) if you want to gamble on them being awarded a penalty. Victory's defenders cannot be trusted - last week they again failed to keep a clean sheet; as mentioned last week, they have not done so in the A-League since Round 10. For those of you who do want to take the gamble, avoid Adrian Leijer, who is in doubt.
That's all for the Semi Finals edition of the Fantasy A-League Form Guide. If there's anything I've failed to mention here that you'd like advice on you can use the comments section, contact me on Twitter, or join in the Beamly (formerly Zeebox) chat on Fridays at 2pm Eastern. And if you enjoyed the article, please use the buttons below to share it with your mates on Twitter and Facebook! Cheers, and best of luck to your teams in the finals!