Betfair Live Video: The race for the Premier's Plate reaches a thrilling climax down under

29Mar 2013

Betfair

With the regular season coming to a close, the race for the Premier's Plate and an all important top six finish is reaching a pulsating finale. Lewis Watson takes a closer look at the double header of A-League action coming your way on Betfair Live Video.

Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Heart

Saturday 06:30

Get your abacus out - it's the final weekend of the regular A-League season and it's all to play for on what is being hyped as #SuperheroSaturday.

Come kick-off at the Bluetongue Stadium, the hosts will know whether they can claim back-to-back Premier Plate titles with three points over the visiting Heart. However, with league leaders Western Sydney Wanderers playing the Jets on Friday morning, Mariners eyes will be glued to the fixture in New South Wales praying for a Heskey inspired miracle... too much to ask?

With differing incentives at opposite ends of the table, this fixture could prove decisive in the chase for the Premier title, and the escape from the wooden spoon.

After an impressive win over Adelaide United last weekend which made it back-to-back wins, the Mariners come into this clash full of confidence. Through keeping clean sheets in the last two games as well as prolific striker Daniel McBreen returning to the top of the Golden Boot charts, the Yellow Army will be expectant of a winning performance from their final league fixture - whether that will be enough to grab them the title is yet to be seen.

So far this season this fixture has gone only one way. With six points, three goals scored and zero conceded, the Mariners undoubtedly have the edge over their visitors. This is also reflected in previous seasons between the two sides. With only the one win in eight competitive fixtures between these two, Melbourne Heart will travel to Gosford in hope rather than expectation.

The Heart have had a disappointing season. Finishing sixth last year and making the playoffs, expectations rose this year on what John Aloisi's boys could amount to. With four losses on the trot and only one goal being scored, their season has ended in somewhat of a damp squib - knowing that they may well have to get something from the Bluetongue Stadium to avoid finishing bottom of the pile.

So here is the maths. If the Wanderers lose on Friday morning to the Jets, a Mariners win will see them steal the title from under their noses - you can be sure that this is the first and last time you will see the Mariner's faithful cheering on their bitter New South Wales rivals.

With an injury stricken side lacking any confidence away from home, expect this one to go heavily in the way of the resurgent Mariners. With a possible title up for grabs, Graham Arnold's boys will make a last minute sprint to the line in hope of a photo finish seeing them take the Premier Plate on goal difference.

Recommended Bet:

Back Central Coast Mariners @ 1.46

Back over 3.5 goals @ 2.7

Perth Glory vs Adelaide United

Saturday 10:45

With Adelaide's Final Series play-off place secured, it's all eyes on Glory as they slug it out in a three-way battle for the sixth and final place in the league's climax. A point may well be good enough for the hosts to pip the Jets to the final spot - but with the Jets hosting the Wanderers on Friday, by kick-off Glory will know what is needed of them going into this clash.

The hosts hold two records this season that are hard to take any pride in - even by the most diehard Glory fan. By recording the longest winless run as well as the longest losing run in this year's campaign, many would be surprised at the position they find themselves in at the end of the regular season.

This turnaround has largely been down to the appointment of interim boss Alistair Edwards. A run of four wins in six under his leadership has seen them climb off the bottom of the league and in with a real chance to grab a piece of silverware come the end of April.

Finding the net has been Glory's major problem this season. Their measly record of 28 goals is only salvaged by the fact that they have a considerably better defensive record than the teams around them - something that could prove vital if goal-difference comes into play after this final match-day.

With their fourth spot sewn-up, the only incentive for Michael Valkanis's Adelaide side is to overtake Victory into third place - a position that they have occupied for nearly half the season.

Their form wouldn't suggest them being a top four side. With only two wins in their last ten outings it could be argued that the Adelaide outfit have run out of steam at the most important stage of the season. Entertainment however has always been a major component of Adelaide's season - scoring 45 (the league's second highest) and conceding 43 (the league's third highest), the Reds faithful know what they have let themselves in for when attending a league game - drama, excitement and more importantly, goals.

With skipper Jacob Burns and defender Michael Thwaite returning to an injury stricken Glory side, their involvement will come as a huge relief for the hosts. With in-form Travis Dodd missing the rest of the season with an ACL injury along with a calf injury concern for Chris Harold - Perth will be short on the ground come Saturday morning.

This in mind, the hosts should have enough to take all three points against an under par Adelaide, securing their spot in the Finals Series playoff.

Recommended Bet:

Back Perth Glory 1-0 @ 7.8