Mel's Preview: PER v ADL

Source:FOX SPORTS

Fox Sports football host Mel McLaughlin previews the clash between Perth Glory and Adelaide United at nib Stadium on Saturday night.

It's a simple equation. A win for Perth and they are in.

• 1. WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS (54 points, Goal Diff +17)
  v Newcastle (A)
  Need a win or a draw in Newcastle to secure the premier's plate in their debut season.
   
• 2. CENTRAL COAST MARINERS (51, +25)
  v Melbourne Heart (H)
  If the Wanderers lose, the Mariners will pinch the premier's plate on goal difference with a win against the Heart.
   
• 3. MELBOURNE VICTORY (41, +2)
  v Wellington Phoenix (A)
  Will finish third or fourth and have nothing to really play for in New Zealand ahead of their home elimination final.
   
• 4. ADELAIDE UNITED (40, +1)
  v Perth Glory (A)
  To finish third or fourth and host a home knockout final, regardless of the result of their Perth trip.
   
• 5. BRISBANE ROAR (32, +2)
  v Sydney FC (H)
  Hold their own destiny. Beat Sydney, and their title defence continues into the finals; lose, and they need both Perth and Newcastle to lose. If they draw and only one of Newcastle or Perth win, they could still sneak in.
• 6. SYDNEY FC (32, -8)
  v Brisbane Roar (A)
  Like Brisbane, masters of their own fate: beat the Roar and they make the finals. Lose or draw, and they rely on others, like the Roar, above.
   
• 7. PERTH GLORY (31, -2)
  v Adelaide United (H)
  Beat Adelaide at home and they're in the finals. Draw, and they're probably in - if Sydney are beaten. Lose, and they're out.
   
• 8. NEWCASTLE JETS (31, -12)
  v Western Sydney (H)
  Must defeat Western Sydney and hope Sydney and Brisbane draw, and Perth lose, to steal a finals spot. If they draw, but Perth win and Sydney get thumped by four or more goals, they can also sneak in! 

Their cause has not been helped though by the terrible news that Travis Dodd's season is over while Shane Smeltz will miss the game after suffering another nasty head injury – this one requiring 15 stitches. After what happened to him in last year’s grand final, he might be feeling more than a little unlucky.

Michael Thwaite is back after playing 90 minutes with the Socceroos. I spoke with him after the match and he was buzzing, there was no wiping that big smile off his face despite the shock draw. He’d clearly had a fantastic experience in camp and will take the confidence back to his club.

They picked up a big result in Melbourne, snatching all three points against Victory thanks to Josh Risdon. It just might be the kind of boost the team needs to take on Adelaide, and continue on into April.

Adelaide have issues of their own. They have only secured three wins from their last 10 fixtures, most recently a loss at home at the hands of Central Coast. It was not a great result so close to sudden-death football.

In team news, Marcelo Carrusca and Osama Malik are pushing to prove their fitness ahead of the match.

From the coaching side of things, the word is Michael Valkanis will be announced as the head coach going forward.

But I think Perth will win this and grab the final spot in the finals series.

(Tipping Perth)

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