This Saturday is the end of the long Australian 2009-2010 Soccer season with the A League Grand Final. The A league Grand Final is between traditional rivals Melbourne V Sydney. The good news is regardless who wins both team qualify for the 2011 Asian Champions League. Below we have the A league Grand Final preview from Sportingbet.
Melbourne Victory v Sydney FC – Etihad Stadium, Melbourne, Saturday 20 March 2010
Sydney FC may have taken a roundabout route to get there, but they have finally made it to Etihad Stadium for a Grand Final showdown with arch-rivals Melbourne Victory. The FFA will doubtless be rubbing their hands with glee and in fairness, it is fitting that the two best sides over the course of the season will ultimately battle it out for the A-League crown. Sydney will inevitably come into the final a little more jaded in the wake of a 120-minute Major Semi-Final against the Victory, followed by last week’s hard-fought Preliminary Final win over Wellington and the Sky Blues will also be denied the services of striker John Aloisi. The former Socceroo suffered a torn hamstring against the Phoenix and is likely to be replaced by Chris Payne who proved a more than capable deputy last week by coming off the bench to score two crucial goals. Coach Vitezslav Lavicka is not expected to make any other changes to his starting line-up as Sydney seek to secure what would be their third victory over the reigning premiers this season.
The home side, meanwhile, have reaped significant rewards from their extra preparation time, with key attacking trio Archie Thompson, Robbie Kruse and Carlos Hernandez all returning to full fitness. Indeed, other than long-term absentees Billy Celeski and Matthew Kemp, Ernie Merrick’s only injury concern surrounds last season’s Grand Final goal hero Tom Pondeljak who is battling to overcome a hamstring problem.
Sydney may have had the wood on Victory during the regular season, but they failed to take that form into the Major Semi-Final and with Melbourne well rested and at virtually full strength, it’s hard not to lean towards the home side taking out the title on Saturday. Factor in that Victory have plenty of Grand Final experience in their ranks and will enjoy the backing of a partisan home crowd and it’s little surprise that Merrick’s men will start as warm favourites.
The visitors will again look to Alex Brosque and Mark Bridge to exploit Victory’s lack of pace at the back, but the game may ultimately be decided by Stuart Musialik’s ability to stifle Carlos Hernandez. The Costa Rican playmaker is the heartbeat of the home side and if he can bring his influence to bear, Victory should edge a close one to retain their title.
Prediction: Melbourne Victory 2-1 Sydney
A League Soccer Grand Final Betting Odds
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