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With one win in five, the spotlight is on Kevin Muscat as Victory host Glory. Here are your rd10 A-League previews.
Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory
7.30pm, Friday, 13 December
Live coverage on FOX Sports 1HD
It's not crisis time for Melbourne Victory - but with just one win in five, questions are starting to be asked. Kevin Muscat has faced a difficult start to his first senior coaching role; Victory are still playing the kind of football as under Ange Postecoglou but the goals aren't coming. Is it the system, the players or the coach?
Victory have failed to score in two of their past four games. Melbourne only failed to score four times in Postecoglou's 32-game tenure meaning Kevin Muscat is already halfway to this figure after only six games.
Melbourne's shooting accuracy has also slipped in recent weeks, with their total for the season now at 36.8 per cent, fifth in the league.
But while Muscat struggles to get to grips with his team, Alastair Edwards's young guns are look set to bloom. If Perth wins this weekend, it will reach 15 points, its second-most points after 10 games to start a season - although Glory are yet to win away this term.
Interestingly, though, Perth's kids are the equal-most fouled team, alongside Adelaide, and they have the second-worst effective tackle percentage this season at just 57.9 per cent.
Mark Rudan says: "It will be tough for Perth on the road but there is a lot to like about this Glory side they've got a lot of youngsters, there's no reason they can't get a result.
"For Melbourne, Pablo Contreras not living up to his hype. There is a lot expected of marquee men and so far he picked up a lot of cards and made rash challenges, costing his team goals and points; he needs to improve quickly. But I think Muscat's side can get over Perth."
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Wellington Phoenix v Brisbane Roar
5:30pm (3:30pm AEDT), Saturday, 14 December
Live and exclusive coverage on FOX Sports 1HD
Winless Wellington host league-leaders Brisbane in a mismatch that must leave Phoenix fans hoping for a bit of travel sickness from the Roar.
Despite good performances, Ernie Merrick's side have struggled to score; the Phoenix has had 11 or more shots in all eight matches this season - the only team to do so - and average the most shots (15.1) and shots outside the box (8.1) per game, but have scored the second-least goals (8) in the competition.
Could it be any different for the visitors? Brisbane now boast the most wins of any team in the competition (98), have won seven of their first nine games, scoring 17 times - and have the most away wins for any team this season (3).
Mark Rudan says: "Wellington are in trouble - we're a third of the way through the season and they're yet to pick up a win. But they're playing some decent stuff. Last week it was their last performance of the season.
"One way to stop Roar, though, is to stop Besart Berisha. I don't think Brisbane played all that well in the first 45 minutes against Adelaide but when you've got someone like Berisha, I can't see the Roar not beating the Phoenix."
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Adelaide United v Central Coast Mariners
5.00pm (5.30pm AEDT), Saturday, 14 December
Live and exclusive coverage on FOX Sports 1HD.
Good football without winning. Adelaide United has been following this narrative for so long, it's beginning to get a little boring. When will Josep Gombau's side translate style into substance?
The Reds are the only team to have had more than 50 per cent possession in all their matches, and possess the best pass-pressure rate, forcing their opponents into turnovers on 39 per cent of the passes they pressure. But they have also conceded a league-high 17 goals - 12 of which have come in the second half - and failed to keep a clean sheet in their past thirteen games.
The visitors, however, don't look to have lost their consistency too much under former no. 2 Phil Moss. Undefeated in their last three games, the Mariners have also have conceded just one goal and 10 shots per game across this period.
But there is work for Moss, particularly in the final third. The Mariners average the second-least balls into the penalty area (23) per game and a league-low 3.8 shots per game from outside the box.
Mark Rudan says: "Adelaide have to stop conceding. They're playing good stuff but while they concede they're always going to be in doubt. They're at home against a very good Central Coast side. They've got a chance at home.
"Adelaide are playing some decent stuff so if they can cut out those mistakes in the defensive third they've got every reason to win this game. I think Adelaide will win this game."
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Newcastle Jets v Western Sydney Wanderers
7.30pm, Saturday, 14 December
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1HD.
With 15 points after nine Rounds, the Jets are enjoying their best start to a season. But with eight of their 11 goals coming in the second half, maintaining defensive focus appears crucial - that just happens to be the Wanderers' strength.
Tony Popovic appears to be facing his first big test at Western Sydney (as if winning the league in your debut season wasn't enough) as the Wanderers struggle to recapture their winning form - the club has never been four games without a win.
But they may prosper against the Jets; the Wanderers have conceded only seven goals from their first nine matches, conceding the fewest shots on target (3.3) per game and they are the only team not to concede from a set piece this season.
Mark Rudan says: "Nathan burns has been one of the standout performers, he almost single-handedly picked up three points against Victory. The Jets have changed the way they're playing, moving to a counter-attacking style, which means Burns is very important.
"The Wanderers are missing Tomi Juric; they're missing that big player who can bring the ball down and bring other players into the game."
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Sydney FC v Melbourne Heart
5:00pm, Sunday, 15 December
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1HD.
Despite its slow start, Sydney is enjoying a fine start; a win this week win would mean 18 points, the second-highest point total for its first 10 games of a season.
Despite that, the Sky Blues attack leaves something to be desired. They are last in the league for balls into the penalty area, averaging just 22.2 per game, with 7.7 shots from outside the box per game and just 5.3 shots from inside.
As for Heart - well, everyone knows the pain of John Aloisi's side. The question now is can Harry Kewell save their season?
Heart have now gone 14 games without a win and boast the worst shooting accuracy in the league, completed the second fewest passes and has the worst cross accuracy this season,
Mark Rudan says: "Sydney are playing well but they need to concert those opportunities and possession in to goals. They lacked that creativity around the edge of the 18 yard box. Nothing but three points will be good enough.
"Melbourne Heart do struggle away from home and Kewell was fantastic for 20 minutes last week. If he's got more game time he could be the difference."
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