Can Perth keep the Glory of top spot? Will Mariners float above bottom plaice?

The A-League has a distinct top and bottom five look to it after 6 rounds, defined by a 4-point gap between Melbourne City and Brisbane Roar.

First up in Round 7 Western Sydney Wanderers play host to bottom team Central Coast Mariners on Friday evening. Markus Babbel’s Wanderers imploded in a 4-0 defeat to high flying Victory last Saturday. It remains to be seen whether Babbel’s negative and critical motivation techniques such as describing his team’s performance as “men against boys” will bear fruit. Mariners have lost by the odd goal to two of the top three teams in successive weeks – Perth Glory and Sydney FC.

Tip: Mariners WIN

Next up, Sydney welcome Wellington Phoenix on Saturday afternoon. Sydney are sitting in third, three points off the pace while the Nix are coming off a creditable performance drawing at home to Glory in the Distance Derby. Expect Sydney to hold the Kiwis at bay while the Nix put up a good fight for the points.

Tip: Sydney WIN

Form side Melbourne Victory are at home to Adelaide United, who will give Victory a sterner test than the Wanderers did last week. Melbourne is catching a dose of Honda fever as the Japanese superstar has fired Victory’s charge up the table since an uncertain start. The Adelaide Reds are a well-organised outfit who may surprise Victory in their backyard, but fully expect to hear the atrocious “Victory the Brave” celebration at full time on this featured free-to-air fixture, with Victory prevailing by the odd goal.

Tip: Victory WIN

Saturday evening also sees Perth Glory entertaining Melbourne City. City’s controversial coach Warren Joyce was vindicated in leaving out star Uruguayan striker Fornaroli as they recorded a convincing victory against Newcastle Jets last week.Meanwhile Glory stuttered in NZ requiring a controversial VAR decision to give them a share of the points. However, the home side often has the advantage in the long journey entailed by the Distance Derby. Glory should get back to winning ways but City might escape Perth with a result if Glory have failed to recover from their marathon 9-hour flights.

Tip: Glory WIN

The round wraps up with Brisbane Roar travelling to Newcastle to face the Jets. Both teams are mid-table with indifferent starts to the season. Seems to have stalemate written all over it.

Tip: DRAW

Tune in on Sunday to see if we can improve on last week’s tipping which reached the heady heights of one out of five.