A-League Predictions 2016-2017

A-League

A-League Predictions 2016-2017

Paul Williams

Has there ever been tougher A-League season to predict?

I feel like we probably say that every year, but this season it is most certainly true. You could easily mount a case for seven of the ten teams this year to win the title, which is what makes it so exciting. It's a nightmare to predict and it will make utter fools of all of us that do, including myself.

Last season's champions Adelaide United have had quite the list makeover, with Craig Goodwin, Bruce Kamau, Pablo Sanchez, Bruce Djite and Stefan Mauk all departing in the off-season.

To compound their departures, Michael Marrone is still recovering from the Achilles injury he suffered in the Grand Final, while Jordan Elsey, who had a breakout season last time around, ruptured his ACL on the eve of the season and will miss 12 months. Star playmaker Marcelo Carrusca will also be sidelined for the first three or four weeks of the season with a foot injury, further adding to Guillermo Amor's woes.

But despite everything that has gone against them, the Reds should still be there or thereabouts come the end of the season. The club has signed former Brisbane Roar super-sub Henrique, as well as Socceroo James Holland and Spanish striker Sergi Guardiola. With a sprinkling of local talent, including the talented but enigmatic Jesse Makarounas from Melbourne Victory and Danny Choi from Blacktown City, looking to make a name for themselves under one of the league's best coaches, they still have the bones of a very good side.

A very good side is certainly what Melbourne Victory possess. The 2014/15 champions went quietly about their work in the off-season and came up with James Troisi, Marco Rojas, James Donachie and Alan Baro.

While an attempt to sign Michael Essien fell through at the eleventh hour, truth be told the former Chelsea star would have been a luxury. He wasn't a player Victory needed. Without him they still have one of the best squads in the league and after the heartbreak of last year's elimination final in Brisbane they will be desperate to make amends this season.

Also looking to make amends will be Sydney FC, who crashed spectacularly in the second half of the season to miss the finals completely. While he was criticised for poor recruitment last season, the same can't be said of Graham Arnold this year.

Socceroo Alex Wilkinson comes in to strengthen the defence, while Bernie Ibini and Josh Brillante return after ill-fated moves to Europe. Then there is the new marquee man, Bobo. The Brazilian striker previously played with Filip Holosko at Besiktas in Turkey and Arnold will be hoping Holosko helps the former Gremio and Corinthians player adjust and fire in Australia.

Western Sydney, who made and lost their third grand final last year, seem to be flying under the radar coming into this season, which could be dangerous for other teams. You can never discount Tony Popovic's team. What the team sorely lacked last year was a striker who could score 15+ goals in a season, and in the off-season they brought back fan favourite Kerem Bulut, who became an instant hit in his first stint at the Wanderers two years ago.

Japanese midfielder Jumpei Kusukami looks to be another shrewd signing if his performances in the FFA Cup are anything to go by, while we wait to see how Nicolas Martinez, Aritz Borda and Bruno Pinatares adjust to life in the A-League. As if often the case with foreigners, the Wanderers fate will largely rest in their hands.

Further north in Brisbane it's been another tumultuous off-season for the three-time Champions, who once again faced ownership speculation. The return of Brett Holman should give the club a kick along, with the Socceroo determined to prove he still has it after retiring from the Socceroos before the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Danish midfielder Thomas Kristensen also looks quite a handy addition to the squad that still contains Thomas Broich, Jamie Maclaren, Tommy Oar and Matt McKay. John Aloisi proved last year that off-field turmoil could be overcome as they came within a whisker of the Grand Final, losing the semi final to Western Sydney in one of the all-time classic A-League matches.

But it's on the sky blue side of Melbourne where most attention is focused, with the return of Socceroos legend Tim Cahill.

Cahill is a PR machine and both FFA and Melbourne City will be hoping his presence in the league sends crowds and TV ratings skyrocketing. City looked set for a breakthrough piece of silverware last season before falling at the final hurdle in the chase for both the Premiership and Championship, and they are determined to go one better this season.

While Cahill is the biggest name, it's arguable that Argentine Nicolas Colazo is an even bigger signing in pure football terms. Colazo, who was once touted as a future national team player for Argentina, comes to City direct from Boca Juniors. That's some serious pedigree.

While they lost Aaron Mooy, they did keep Bruno Fornaroli and it's the trio of Fornaroli, Cahill and Colazo they will hope bring them success in eight months time.

It's so hard to predict, and that's without even discussing Perth Glory who have compiled on paper one of the strongest squads with the return of Rhys Williams and Adam Taggart to go alongside Diego Castro and Andy Keogh who lit up the competition in the second half of last season.

It really is anyone's to win.

TABLE PREDICTION
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne City
Perth Glory
Sydney FC
Western Sydney Wanderers
Adelaide United
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Brisbane Roar
Wellington Phoenix
Newcastle Jets
Central Coast Mariners

Copyright © Paul Williams and Soccerphile.com


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