A-league finals preview

On Friday the finals for the fourth A-league season begin with Central Coast at home to the Queensland Roar in the minor semi final.

For the match the mariners will probably play a 4-3-3 formation.  Danny Vukovic will start as GK.  With Andrew Clark at RB, Alex Wilkinson at one of the CB positions, Pedj Bojic will have to move out to LB because of Dean Heffernan's suspension and for the other CB Central Coast have already indicated they will play Paul O'Grady (193cm, 92kg) because they believe he can match up physically with Roar centre-forward Sergio van Dijk (185cm, 88kg).

The Central Coast have lost their last three games coming into the finals one of the main reasons for this is CDM Mile Jedinak's transfer to Turkish side Genclerbirligi.  Last game the mariners used Nigel Boogaard at CDM and he probably start there again against the roar, Andre Gumprecht will play on the right of midfield and John Hutchinson on the left.  

Up front will be Matt Simon, Nik Mrdja and Dylan Macallister even those he's been in poor form for the last few matches.

On the bench will be GK Andrew Redmayne, and most likely midfielder Bradley Porter, midfielder Matt Osman, attacking midfielder Adrian Caceres and forward Sasho Petrovski.

If the Central Coast don't play in a 4-3-3 formation the will most likely play in a 4-1-2-1-2 formation with Adrian Caceres coming in for either Dylan Macallister or Nik Mrdja.          

Even those Queensland Roar is playing the first leg away the have already stated through the media they will still play in their usual attacking manner.

Although the roar also play in a 4-4-3 formation Michael Zullo and Tahj Minniecon are a lot quicker and more mobile than the Central Coast's Matt Simon and Nik Mrdja. 

Even though Liam Reddy is fit again Queensland Coach Frank Farina has already indicated number 2 goalkeeper Griffin McMaster will keep his place in the starting 11 after replacing Reddy for the last three games. 

With Hyuk-Su Seo just coming back from injury Andrew Packer is likely to switch from LB to RB, with Luke DeVere out injured Craig Moore will be partnered in the centre of defence with the more than adequate replacement of Josh McCloughan.  Danny Tiatto will likely play once again at LB after staring in that position in the final game of the season.  

Recently Matt Mckay has been playing in the most defense midfield position for roar and is likely to do so for the Central Coast games, Massimo Murdocca will join him in midfield and either Mitch Nichols or Charlie Miller who's been starting on the bench in the last few matches after coming back from injury, will play in the attacking midfield position.          

Michael Zullo will play on the left wing, with Tahj Minniecon on the right and red hot Sergio van Dijk who's scored 10 goals in the last 10 games at CF. 

On the Queensland bench will be GK Liam Reddy, RB Hyuk-Su Seo, left winger Tommy Oar, the unlucky attacking midfielder out of Mitch Nichols or Charlie Miller who isn't chosen for the starting 11 and right winger Robbie Kruse.   

Predication: The Central Coast have never beaten Queensland Roar at Bluetongue stadium and this wont change.  The mariners will continue to miss departed CDM Mile Jedinak and Sergio van Djik will continue his goal scoring form.  Roar to win the first leg 2-1.  The Central Coast goal will come from a mistake in the Queensland defence.  For the second leg even those Central Coast may be chasing the tie, in football you can't make a formation with three forwards any more attacking.  The match in Brisbane will be a 1-0 win to the roar with the goal being scored on a Queensland counter attack.

On Saturday night Adelaide play Melbourne in the major semi final.  

Adelaide will probably start with a 4-2-3-1 formation.  Former victory player and recently announced GK of the year Eugene Galekovic will start between the sticks.  Daniel Mullen should play at RB after returning from injury.  With Robert Cornthwaite suspended for the first leg, Sasa Ognenovski who himself has just come back from suspension will be partnered in the centre of defence with veteran Michael Valkanis who is going to retire at the end of the season. At LB recently announced young player of the year Scoot Jamieson will start.  

Paul Reid and Fabien Barbriero will start as the two holding midfielders.  Lucas Pantelis will play on the left of midfield and Travis Dodd will start on the opposite side.  Former victory player Kristian Sarkies is likely to start as the CAM.  

Up front Cristiano is likely to be recalled to the starting line up to play as the lone striker up front as he has done for most of the season.

On the Adelaide bench will be GK Mark Birighitti, Alemao who can play either at RW or RB, CDM Jonas Salley, controversial new signing midfielder Rostyn Griffiths and CF Robert Younis.

Even those Melbourne play the first leg away coach Ernie Merrick has indicated the victory will play attacking football in the first leg.  Melbourne will probably play in a 4-4-2 formation.  

In goal will be Michael Theokiltos.  At RB Sebastian Ryall should start, it will be victory usual CB pairing of Kevin Muscat and Rodrigo Vargas in the middle and former Adeaide player Matthew Kemp will start at LB.

It's likely Nick Ward will start at LM with Tom Pondeljak at RM.  Billy Celeski will start in the centre of midfield and be given the most defensive responsibilities.  Carlos Hernandez will play in front of Celeski and be a lot more attacking, for the second leg Hernandez won't be arriving in Melbourne until the day before the match because of his call up into the Costa Rican national side.

Up forward the most successful striking pair in A-league history will start Archie Thompson and Danny Allsopp.

On the victory bench will be GK Mitchell Langerak, LWB Evan Berger, CDM Grant Brebner, CDM Jose Luis Lopez and Brazilian striker Ney Fabiano.

Predication.  The first leg will end in a 1-1 draw, Melbourne will score either by Danny Allsopp, or by a Kevin Muscat penalty.  If Melbourne lose the first leg look to Ney Fabiano coming in for a midfielder in the starting 11.  In Melbourne the score will be 1-0 to Melbourne Archie Thompson will score the goal.

            

If my predications are right it will be an Adelaide v Queensland Roar preliminary final. Queensland will win this match 1-0 in extra time most likely with Charlie Miller scoring.