Aust. A-League
2013-01-13 - Sydney FC vs Melbourne Heart
A Sports Betting Pick by DownUnder
Football : Australia : A-League
Venue Allianz Stadium
Sunday, 13th January 2013
Kick-off 5.00pm (local) 5:00am GMT
Form:
Season so far :
Sydney FC ::::: : 4W 2D 9L Points 14 --- HOME 2W 1D 4L 8:11
Melbourne Heart : 5W 3D 7L Points 18 --- AWAY 1W 1D 5L 5:11
There are 4 points between these teams, that is the difference between being bottom of the table, and making the semi-final playoffs.
Previous Encounters
Sydney FC won 0
Draws 5
Melbourne Heart won 3
Last match : Sydney FC 0-0 Melbourne Heart, December 2, 2012
Sydney FC (10th)
Coach Farina has signalled this match (and the following one against the Phoenix) as must wins and pivotal to whether Sydney will make the playoffs.
"We're running out of time" sums up Frank’s frustrations but he does believe that the team is on the improve since taking charge 6 weeks ago.
With Bosschaart, Necevski, Nathan Sherlock still a week or two away from a start and history being against Sydney getting a win over the Heart, things look bleak for Farina.
But on the positive side he does have the services of Fabio and Yairo Yau back from injury, and Del Piero will be playing in front of his adoring fans.
Melbourne Heart (6th)
The Heart will think they were worth their win over the Roar last time out and will be hoping history repeats itself with a result at Sydney on Sunday.
Melbourne have yet to lose to Sydney, and haven’t conceded a goal to them in their last 2 visits to the Allianz Stadium.
But for me this is misguided optimism.
The game against the roar typifies what is wrong with the Heart, at 3-0 they were cruising, and then ended the game hanging on after conceding 2 goals and a player down. The Heart have thrown winning positions away in the past, most notably against the Phoenix and the Jets.
Heart will be without David Williams(winger) after he received a red card last weekend, also unavailable are Marrone (looks certain to leave in the transfer window) and Grella with a groin strain.
The Betting Verdict
I predict a little bit of local history on Sunday.
Sydney desperately need a win to help the cause, a draw will leave them rooted to the bottom of the league for another week, and a loss will widen the gap from between them and the playoffs to a render it mathematically possible, but most unlikely.
Del Peiro hasn’t scored lately but was instrumental in both goals at the comeback draw at Perth, I think he’ll steer Sydney to a 1st home win over the Heart on Sunday.
The Pick :
Sydney FC 3 -1 Melbourne Heart
BEST BETTING TIP :
Shrimp on the Barbie (main bet)Take Sydney FC to WIN @ $2.50 at PinnacleSports
