Betfair Live Video: All roads lead to Sydney as the Grand Final awaits a fairy tale ending

20Apr 2013

Betfair

A sensational Sunday is in store on Betfair Live Video as two leagues approach a thrilling climax. The Wanderers take on the Mariners in the Australian Grand Final and high flying Vitesse travel to Feyenoord in a top of the table clash in Rotterdam...

Western Sydney Wanderers vs Central Coast Mariners

Sunday 07:00

The Grand Final is upon us and it is only fitting that the two most impressive and consistent teams have made it to the final hurdle. After a strongly contested A- League campaign it all boils down to ninety minutes of pulsating drama at a sold out Allianz Stadium. Will it be the fairy tale ending for new boys Western Sydney Wanderers or fourth time lucky for 'nearly men' Central Coast Mariners...

After finishing the regular season in pole position, as well as currently holding a thirteen game unbeaten run, the Wanderers will go into Sunday morning's clash as slight favourites at 1.92.

Cruising past a lacklustre Brisbane Roar in last weekend's semi-final, Tony Popovic's men will know that to secure a historic double in their debut season they will need to save the best until last to beat a Mariners side seeking redemption.

Popovic will go into Sunday's final with a few selection problems. With talented Ethiopian winger Youssouf Hersi suspended after last weekend's red card and reliable midfielder Aaron Mooy struggling with a knee injury, the Wanderers boss may have to show incredible faith in inexperienced youngster Yianni Perkatis by giving him his third start of the season. The nineteen year old proved instrumental against the Roar before being subbed late in the second half.

A major positive to come out of their semi-final success was the goal scored by Croatian striker Dino Kresinger. After admitting to a "frustrating first season" in the A-League, the highly regarded front-man has only managed to find the net twice for the Wanderers. With many of the Western Sydney faithful showing patience throughout the year, a winning goal at the Allianz Stadium would do more than enough to turn him into the club's first 'cult' hero.

After missing out on three previous Grand Final victories, Graham Arnold's side will be hoping for redemption in their fourth attempt at the Holy Grail.

After impressing in a season that has had its financial problems, the Mariners finished the regular season in second spot and only three points off the Wanderers after setting an impressive early pace. Outscoring the rest of the league combined with having a tight defensive structure, the 'nearly men' have won the hearts of many neutral fans this season and Arnold is convinced they will have adequate support come Sunday morning.

In a press conference this week the Mariners boss stated "the Mariners are everyone's second team", along with a positive outlook into his tactics saying "as long as we execute our game plan, we will be fine". Knowing the Wanderers may not be at full strength, the Yellow Army will be confident Daniel McBreen can add to his seventeen goals this season to punish a usually reliable defence.

In a final that is assured of a heart warming story whoever the victor, the team who shows the most heart and passion may just edge the title. With one win each and a draw on the opening day of the season in head to heads, these teams couldn't be closer matched, however expect the Wanderers to deliver the fairytale ending in a memorable day in Sydney.

Back under 2.5 goals @ 1.62

Feyenoord vs Vitesse

Sunday 13:30

With four games left in this season's Eredivisie the race to catch run away leaders Ajax looks to be asking a little too much of the chasing pack. With Vitesse, PSV and Feyenoord all separated by a single point in second, third and fourth spots - the fight second place and Champions League qualification is reaching boiling point.

After yo-yoing between third and fifth place all season, the hosts will not have been expecting this last chance push for a Champions League spot or even a possible crack at the title. With Twente, PSV and Ajax sharing the lead throughout the year, the 'pretenders to the crown' as many pundits have called them, have stayed solid and consistent picking up points against tricky opposition.

Perhaps not the most entertaining of sides, Ronald Koeman's men have struggled to match the big hitting goal tallies of the top three and have lacked the goal scoring options that their rivals have at their disposal. With all of their good work coming from the boot of Italian striker Graziano Pelle, he has often been relied on heavily to prove the difference in matches scoring nearly half of Feyenoord's goals this season.

This in mind, the pluckiness that the 'De Trots van Zuid' have shown this year cannot be ignored and a entry into the Champions League via the back door would be fully deserved by a side steeped in European history.

Vitesse's rise to success this season can be summed up in one name - Wilfried Bony. The Ivorian has had a remarkable season for the Arnhem side scoring 30 of the clubs 63 goals to date and has caused shockwaves in the Premiership sighting interest from the likes of West Ham and Chelsea for his services next season.

An ever present in the Vitesse line-up, he has enabled the visitors to rise to second place after being in contention all season and if it wasn't for being held to a 3-3 draw against Roda last weekend, hype would be growing that this could be the year to finally secure their maiden Eredivisie title.

Vitesse have impressed defensively as well this campaign. With the reliable services of Kalas, Kashia and van Aanholt sitting infront of the competent hands of Velthuizen in goal, teams have struggled to break down their back line managing four clean sheets in their last six outings.

The winner of this fixture will find themselves in pole position to take that all important second spot come the end of the season, and with Ajax hosting a Heerenveen side full of confidence on Friday night, by the time kick off comes both these sides could well be back in the hunt for the Eredivisie crown... however unlikely that sounds.

Recommended Bet:

Back the draw @ 3.9

Back both teams to score @ 1.57