The teams are IN ahead of Round 4!
KEEPUP provided you with all the team news via this week’s live blog, running between 5.00pm and 6.00pm AEDT every Thursday prior to the airing of each episode of A-Leagues All Access at 7.30pm AEDT.
This week, it’s time for episode three: ‘No Hours in Football’, starring Patrick Kisnorbo!
VISIT: A-LEAGUES ALL ACCESS HUB
INS AND OUTS – ROUND 4
Scroll below the team news for a recap of KEEPUP’s live blog, and all things Official A-Leagues Fantasy ahead of the weekend.
WESTERN SYDNEY v NEWCASTLE JETS
Western Sydney squad: 1.Daniel MARGUSH (GK), 2.Gabriel CLEUR, 3.Adama TRAORE, 5.Tomi MRCELA, 6.Marcelo GUEDES (C), 7.Ramy NAJJARINE, 8.Oliver BOZANIC, 9.Kusini YENGI, 10.Milos NINKOVIC, 11.Sulejman KRPIC, 12.Ruon TONGYIK, 17.Romain AMALFITANO, 19.Daniel WILMERING, 20.Lawrence THOMAS (GK), 23.Yeni NGBAKOTO, 26.Brandon BORRELLO, 28.Calem NIEUWENHOF, 35.Zac SAPSFORD, 36.Alessandro LOPANE, 37.Alexander BADOLATO.
In: 8.Oli BOZANIC (promoted), 23.Yeni NGBAKOTO (promoted), 37.Alexander BADOLATO (promoted)
Out: 21.Jarrod CARLUCCIO (not selected)
Squad analysis: The Wanderers promote Oli Bozanic and Yeni Ngbakoto to the squad set to host Newcastle Jets on Friday night – but proceed with caution if thinking of bringing either into your fantasy squad – the two off-season signings have been included all three of the club’s squad submissions only to not make the cut on match day.
Fantasy tip: With two goals in three games to start the season, Sulejman Krpić is in great form heading into Round 4. Only one of his seven shots have been off target so far this season.
Newcastle Jets squad: 1. Jack DUNCAN (gk), 2. Dane INGHAM, 3. Jason HOFFMAN, 5. Matthew JURMAN (co-captain), 6. Brandon O’NEILL (co-captain), 7. Trent BUHAGIAR, 8. Beka DARTSMELIA, 9. Beka MIKELTADZE, 10. Reno PISCOPO, 11. Jaushua SOTIRIO, 14. Mohamed AL-TAAY, 17. Kosta GROZOS, 18. Daniel STYNES, 19. Callum TIMMINS, 20. Michael WEIER (gk), 23. Rory JORDAN, 24. James McGARRY, 25. Carl JENKINSON (co-captain), 26. Archie GOODWIN, 30. Noah JAMES (gk), 32. Angus THURGATE, 33. Mark NATTA
In: Beka Mikeltadze
Out: Nil
Squad analysis: The Jets enjoyed a convincing 3-1 win over Wellington Phoenix in Round 3 – and that result was clinched without key striker Beka Mikeltadze, who comes back into the mix after missing out last week with a knock.
Fantasy tip: Beka Dartsmelia scored Goal of the Week in Round 3, adding an assist to a sublime display to earn the top fantasy score of the weekend (21). The Georgian comes into Round 4 high on confidence – with just 4% ownership.
BRISBANE ROAR v MELBOURNE VICTORY
Brisbane Roar squad: 1.Macklin FREKE (gk), 2.Scott NEVILLE, 3.Jordan COUTRNEY-PERKINS, 5.Thomas ALDRED ©, 6.Connor CHAPMAN, 7.Rahmat AKBARI, 8.Riku DANZAKI, 9.Charles AUSTIN, 10.Nikola MILEUSNIC, 13.Henry HORE, 15.Jesse DALEY, 16.Joshua BRINDELL-SOUTH, 17.Carlo ARMIENTO, 23.Jordan HOLMES (gk), 26.James O’SHEA, 27.Kai TREWIN, 28.Joseph KNOWLES, 29.Cyrus DEHMIE, 32. James NIKOLOVSKI, 35.Louis ZABALA **(two to be omitted)**
In: 13. Henry HORE (Promoted), 32. James NIKOLOVSKI (Promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: 19.Jack HINGERT (Injured), 11. Jez LOFTHOUSE (Injured)
Squad analysis: Jack Hingert and Jez Lofthouse miss out on Brisbane’s home clash with Victory at Moreton Daily Stadium – but after sitting out the first three rounds, lively young attacker Henry Hore comes into the Roar squad to contend for his first minutes of the season.
Fantasy tip: Tony Popovic’s Victory have conceded five goals in three games to the season – and after getting off the mark in Round 3, Charlie Austin will look to go back-to-back against an unstable Victory backline.
Melbourne Victory squad: Matt ACTON, 3.Enrique LOPEZ, 4.Rai MARCHAN, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 7.Chris IKONOMIDIS, 9.Tomi JURIC, 11.Ben FOLAMI, 14.Jay BARNETT, 15.George TIMOTHEOU, 16.Stefan NIGRO, 17.Luis NANI, 18.Nick D’AGOSTINO, 20.Paul IZZO, 21.Roderick MIRANDA, 22.Jake BRIMMER, 23.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS, 24.Nishan VELUPILLAY, 25.Noah SMITH, 26.Lleyton BROOKS, 28.Will WILSON
In: 14.Jay BARNETT (promoted), 26.Lleyton BROOKS (promoted), 28.Will WILSON (promoted)
Out: 8.Josh BRILLANTE (suspended)
Unavailable: 2.Jason GERIA (injured), 5.Matt SPIRANOVIC (injured)
Squad analysis: Josh Brillante’s Melbourne Derby send-off opens a gap in central midfield for Tony Popovic to fill ahead of his side’s trip to Moreton Daily Stadium this weekend. Further up the field, Chris Ikonomidis will look to hold onto his starting role in front of Ben Folami in Victory’s front four, which he claimed ahead of last week’s derby but failed to make an impact in the 2-0 defeat after Brillante’s early red card.
Brillante’s dismissal does open the door for a potential change in approach, with Brimmer sitting deeper in midfield, Folami and Ikonomidis on either wing, and Nani down the middle behind Nick D’Agostino.
Fantasy tip: Jake Brimmer to break free of an early season form dip to impress on the road.
MACARTHUR FC v SYDNEY FC
Macarthur FC squad: Filip KURTO (gk), Jake McGING, Tomi USKOK, Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITIS, Ivan VUJICA, Kearyn BACCUS, Daniel DE SILVA, Daniel ARZANI, Lachlan ROSE, Al Hassan TOURE, Nick SUMAN (gk), Matt MILLAR, Charles M’MOMBWA, Anthony CARTER, Jed DREW, Craig NOONE, Jerry SKOTADIS, Isaac HOVAR
In: Bachana ARABULI, Kearyn BACCUS, Charles M’MOMBWA
Out: Mario WILLIAMS (fitness), Aleks SUSNJAR (injury), Ulises DAVILA (injury), Jake HOLLMAN (illness)
Squad analysis: Ulises Davila misses out for the second week running with a hamstring injury. This leaves Craig Noone to continue his role in attacking midfield instead of out wide – an unusual job for the Englishman who excelled in the position in Round 3’s draw with Western.
Kearyn Baccus and Bachana Arabuli are included in the Bulls squad ahead of the weekend – much like they were ifor Round 3, without making the final cut on matchday.
Fantasy tip: Craig Noone to trouble the Sky Blues defence as he gets up to speed in his second start of the season.
Sydney FC squad: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 2. James DONACHIE, 5. Connor O’TOOLE, 8. Paulo RETRE, 10. Joe LOLLEY, 11. Robert MAK, 12. Pat WOOD, 16. Patrick YAZBEK, 17. Anthony CACERES, 18. Diego CABALLO, 19. Adrian SEGECIC, 20. Thomas HEWARD-BELLE (GK), 21. Alex PARSONS, 22. Max BURGESS, 23. Rhyan GRANT, 24. Corey HOLLMAN, 25. Jaiden KUCHARSKI, 26. Luke BRATTAN ©, 28. Jake GIRDWOOD-REICH, 29. Aaron GURD
Ins: 5. Connor O’TOOLE (promoted), 24. Corey HOLLMAN (promoted), 25. Jaiden KURCHARSKI (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 4.Alex WILKINSON (c) (injured), 6. Jack RODWELL (injured), 9. Adam LE FONDRE (injured)
Squad analysis: After succumbing to injury 20 minutes into Sydney’s Round 3 draw with Adelaide, Adam Le Fondre will remain sidelined for this weekend’s trip to Macarthur – opening the door for Patrick Wood to retain his spot in the starting XI after replacing Le Fondre off the bench and scoring against the Reds. Off-season recruits Joe Lolley and Robert Mak are likely to continue on either wing for Steve Corica’s side, and will look to cause problems for a Bulls defence which has conceded just one goal this season to date.
Fantasy tip: Joe Lolley has created six chances and taken 16 shots through the first three rounds of the season. Looks certain to provide decent fantasy returns each round at this early stage in the season.
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS v WESTERN UNITED
Central Coast squad: 2. Thomas AQUILINA, 3. Brian KALTAK, 4. Joshua NISBET, 6. Maximilien BALARD, 7. Samuel SILVERA, 9. Jason CUMMINGS, 11. Beni NKOLOLO, 13. Harrison STEELE, 14. Garang KUOL, 15. Storm ROUX, 17. Kelechi JOHN, 18. Jacob FARRELL, 20. Daniel VUKOVIC (c) (gk), 21. Michael RUHS, 23. Daniel HALL, 24. Yaren SOZER (gk), 25. Nectarios TRIANTIS, 29. Dor JOK, 90. Paul AYONGO, 98. MARCO TULIO
Ins: 23. Daniel HALL (promoted), 29. Dor JOK (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 10. Matheus MORESCHE (injured), 26. Bradley TAPP (injured)
Squad analysis: Garang Kuol will look to make his second appearance of the season for Central Coast against Western United – and with his Premier League move to Newcastle United imminent Mariners fans will be soaking up any opportunity they can get to see the teenage Socceroo in action.
Nick Montgomery’s side will look to bounce back after a 2-1 loss to Perth at home in Round 3. Defender Dan Hall was named in the squad ahead of the weekend but didn’t make the cut on match day as Brian Kaltak and Kelechi John formed the Mariners’ centre-back partnership – Hall is back in the mix in Round 4.
Fantasy tip: Jason Cummings to bounce back from a quiet outing against Perth to hit the scoresheet against Western.
Western United squad: 1. Jamie YOUNG (gk), 4. Leo LACROIX, 5. Dylan PIERIAS, 8. Lachlan WALES, 9. Dylan WENZEL-HALLS, 10. Steven LUSTICA, 11. Connor PAIN, 17. Ben GARUCCIO, 19. Joshua RISDON, 21. Sebastian PASQUALI, 23. Alessandro DIAMANTI (c) 26. Nicolas MILANOVIC, 27. Jacob TRATT, 31. Adisu BAYEW, 33. Ben COLLINS, 37. Ryan SCOTT (gk), 38. Noah BOTIC, 42. Rhys BOZINOVSKI, 44. Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, 88. Neil KILKENNY
Ins: 33. Ben COLLINS, 42. Rhys BOZINOVSKI (promoted)
Outs: 14. James TROISI (injured)
Unavailable: 6. Tomoki IMAI (injured), 7. Tongo DOUMBIA (injured)
Squad analysis: James Troisi is a late withdrawal from Western’s Round 4 squad with a calf strain – but it’s more of the same for Western otherwise after last weekend’s draw with Macarthur.
Long-term injuries continue to sideline both Tomoki Imai and Tongo Doumbia; Aleksandar Prijovic is absent from the Western squad once again with a toe injury, whilst Alessandro Diamanti – who earned his first minutes of the season in Round 3 – will be eager to build on those minutes against Central Coast.
Fantasy tip: Lachlan Wales sits equal-fourth in the competition for chances created (six) over three rounds, and is full of confidence after adding his first goal of the season in Round 3.
ADELAIDE UNITED v PERTH GLORY
Adelaide United squad: 1.James DELIANOV (gk), 2.Harry VAN DER SAAG, 3.Ben WARLAND, 6.Louis D’ARRIGO, 7.Ryan KITTO, 8.ISAÍAS, 9.Hiroshi IBUSUKI, 11.Craig GOODWIN (c), 14.George BLACKWOOD, 21.Javi LÓPEZ, 26.Ben HALLORAN, 28.JUANDE, 35.Luka JOVANOVIĆ, 36.Panashe MADANHA, 41.Alexandar POPOVIĆ, 46.Joe GAUCI (gk), 47.Asad KASUMOVIĆ, 49.Musa TOURE, 55.Ethan ALAGICH, 66.Nestory IRANKUNDA
Ins: 36.Panashe MADANHA (promoted), 49.Musa TOURE (promoted)
Outs: nil
Unavailable: 10.Zach CLOUGH (quad), 13.Lachlan BARR (calf), 27.Joshua CAVALLO (spleen), 31.BERNARDO (foot), 37.Jonny YULL (back), 50.Steven HALL (knee)
Squad analysis: Hiroshi Ibusuki will feel like an “in” for the Reds after his Round 3 red card was rescinded by Football Australia in midweek. The Japanese striker is free to play as Adelaide host Perth Glory in the club’s first home game of the season after renovations to Coopers Stadium.
Musa Toure comes into contention in Round 4, whilst key first team members Zach Clough, Bernardo and Josh Cavallo all remain sidelined.
Fantasy tip: Craig Goodwin has created 10 chances, more than any player in the league, despite starting just one game in the opening three rounds. Unlucky not to have a second assist credited to his name in last weekend’s draw with Sydney FC. Looming as a must-own moving forward.
Perth Glory squad: 33.Liam REDDY (gk), 2.John KOUTROUMBIS, 3.Jacob DOWSE, 4.Luke BODNAR, 5.Mark BEEVERS (c), 6.Aaron MCENEFF, 7.Ryan WILLIAMS, 10.Salim KHELIFI, 11.Ben AZUBEL, 14.Jack CLISBY, 16.Keegan JELACIC, 18.David WILLIAMS, 19.Zach DUNCAN, 20.Giordano COLLI, 23.Mitch OXBORROW, 25.Matt HATCH, 29.Daryl LACHMAN, 30.Pierce CLARK (gk), 36.Joseph FORDE, 37.Jacob MUIR
Ins: 14.Jack CLISBY, 18.David WILLIAMS, 37.Jacob MUIR
Outs: 12.Luke IVANOVIC
Unavailable: 1.Brad JONES (gk) (injured), 8.Mustafa AMINI (injured), 13.Cameron COOK (injured), 12.Luke IVANOVIC (injured), 21.Anthony BURKE-GILROY (injured), 22.Adrian SARDINERO (injured)
Squad analysis: Another round, and another road trip for Perth Glory – this time to South Australia to face the Reds. Reinforcements arrive in the form of young defender Jacob Muir, experienced forward David Williams and left-sided defender Jack Clisby, whilst Luke Ivanovic joins captain Mustafa Amini, Anthony Burke-Gilroy, Adrian Sardinero, and keepers Brad Jones and Cameron Cook in the treatment room.
Fantasy tip: Aaron McEneff is on penalty duty in Bruno Fornaroli’s absence and looks Perth’s best attacking outlet at this early stage in the season, pitching in with two goals.
MELBOURNE CITY v WELLINGTON PHOENIX
Melbourne City squad: 1. Tom GLOVER (GK), 2. Scott GALLOWAY, 3. Scott JAMIESON (C), 4. Nuno REIS, 6. Thomas LAM, 7. Mathew LECKIE, 8. Richard VAN DER VENNE, 9. Jamie MACLAREN, 13. Aiden O’NEILL, 14. Valon BERISHA, 15. Andrew NABBOUT, 16. Taras GOMULKA, 18. Jordon HALL, 22. Curtis GOOD, 23. Marco TILIO, 25. Callum TALBOT, 30. Luke ORESTI, 33. Matthew SUTTON (GK), 36. Kerrin STOKES, 37. Max CAPUTO, 38. Jordan BOS.
**2 to be omitted**
In: 3. Scott JAMIESON (returns from injury), 4. Nuno REIS (returns from injury), 16. Taras GOMULKA (returns from suspension).
Out: Nil
Unavailable: 10. Florin BERENGUER (hamstring).
Squad analysis: Scott Jamieson and Nuno Reis are in contention to return to the City squad this weekend. Jamieson pulled out of last week’s Melbourne Derby in the pre-game warmup, whilst Reis has missed the opening three rounds with a hamstring injury. Taras Gomulka is back in the mix, returning from suspension after a straight red card received in Round 2.
Fantasy tip: Jamie Maclaren. End of discussion.
Wellington Phoenix squad: 3. Finn SURMAN, 4. Scott WOOTTON, 5. Steven UGARKOVIC, 6. Tim PAYNE, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Ben OLD, 9. Oskar ZAWADA, 10. David BALL, 11. Bozhidar KRAEV, 12. Lucas MAURAGIS, 13. Nicholas PENNINGTON, 17. Callan ELLIOT, 18. Ben WAINE, 19. Sam SUTTON, 20. Oli SAIL (gk), 21. Joshua LAWS, 23. Clayton LEWIS, 24. Oskar VAN HATTUM, 31. Yan SASSE, 40. Alex PAULSEN (gk)
In: 10. David BALL (returning from injury), 12. Lucas MAURAGIS (returning after being ineligible to play Newcastle), 31. Yan SASSE (returning from suspension)
Out: 35. Noah KARUNARATNE (re-joining reserves), 36. Riley BIDOIS (re-joining reserves)
Unavailable: 14. Alex RUFER (injured)
Squad analysis: After missing the first three rounds with a toe injury, popular Phoenix figure David Ball is in contention for his first minutes of the season against Melbourne City. Yan Sasse is back in the mix after a two-game ban for a Round 1 red card, whilst loanee Lucas Mauragis – who started the first two games of the season in the Phoenix defence, is available for selection once again after being ineligible to play against parent club Newcastle in Round 3.
Fantasy tip: Steven Ugarkovic is averaging seven points from midfield – a handy total for a player who has contributed just one assist and no goals. With a clean sheet unlikely and goals hard to come by against an in-form City, look to Ugarkovic as a consistent contributor in midfield.
