Early Predictions Ahead of the 2021/22 A-League Season
With the first 6 fixtures being released today, there’s certainly an element of excitement and intrigue ahead of this season. Particularly with all of the clubs strengthening their sides, a new TV deal and hopefully a season to remember.
Last season was an interesting one, with a heavy use of academy players than normal, which was a pleasing sight to see. As a Glory fan, I got to see some quality academy products being given a chance, not only in the A-League but also in the Asian Champions League, so hopefully those players across all of the clubs keep getting chances.
With the season set to start on November 19, there’s still time for clubs to grab some more key players but right now, I will be making a pretty early table prediction ahead of this season. I think the race for the finals will be tighter than last season. Hopefully without a condensed fixture list, the teams will be playing at a high quality each week.
12th — Wellington Phoenix
Losing their talisman, Ulises Dávila, makes the Nix’s chances of making the finals very unlikely. Ufuk Talay is a super coach and he’s someone I rate highly, as for the acquisition of Gary Hooper and the retention of key players in David Ball and Steven Taylor.
However, I just don’t see the Nix being able to keep up with the rest of the tight competition.
11th — Central Coast Mariners
The Mariners are in a similar situation as the Nix, in that they’ve lost their key playmaker in Danny De Silva also to Macarthur. They’ve also lost their coach, Alen Stajcic. Of course, last season they shocked everyone by making the transition from dead last to finishing in the top 3.
However, I think they’ll be rebuilding this year under new coach Nick Montgomery. Also losing key players such as Alou Kuol and Gianni Stensness, will also make competing for a finals spot more difficult.
10th — Adelaide United
They’re a good young side Adelaide, however they’re inconsistent and losing key forward Tomi Juric to Macarthur will be difficult to replace him. It is a massive bonus for the club to retain Craig Goodwin and also bringing back Isaías will do wonders for the club.
However, they lack a pure number nine to score the goals. They’ll certainly beat a few key sides this season, but ultimately I think they’ll miss out on finals.
9th — Brisbane Roar
Brisbane are an interesting side. But I think losing key players Dylan Wenzel-Halls and Riku Danzaki will ultimately prove to be their downfall this season. Although, they have brought in a few key visa players in Matti Steinmann and Juan Lescano who will be critical players this season.
They’ll be an exciting young side, although I think they need to sign a few more players, especially a creative player in order to make the finals.
8th — Western United
Aloisi is back in the A-League. But will United improve. Maybe. They’re linked with a few quality players, however since they’re not in the squad at the moment, I have them missing out on finals. I like the squad of Western United and Alessandro Diamanti is a super player, even if he is getting old!
They’ve got potential this year, especially with their young forwards.
7th — Perth Glory
Those damn tricky purples, eh? Of course it’s tough for me as a fan to put them outside of the 6, they’re not good enough to make the finals yet. Losing Chris Ikonomidis will leave a huge whole in the squad. It also looks unlikely Diego Castro will be playing for the team this season as well.
Getting players like Brandon O’Neill and Adrián Sardinero is a massive tick. Yet we’re still missing a pure right back, a defensive midfielder to partner O’Neill and a creative midfielder. I imagine the club is working on a few deals at the moment. However, our defense was invisible for a large part of last season and ultimately cost us the finals, and it will probably be a similar story for this season.
I think we’ll have potential to make the finals, but it depends on our defensive structure, further signings made and an improvement with our away form.
6th — Sydney FC
Sydney could potentially miss the finals. I wouldn’t be surprised if they did. They have an aging squad and are relying on players over 30 mainly to carry them through the season, similar to Perth Glory in a way.
But I think Sydney as a unit are that complete, that they will find a way to make the finals, albeit finishing 6th is not an improvement on last season at all.
5th — Newcastle Jets
I’m nervous about Newcastle as an opposition fan. Arthur Papas is creating a super squad, mixed with young talent and experienced superstars. Being an Ange Postecoglou disciple, I’d have relatively high expectations for the Jets, considering how successful Kevin Muscat has been with Melbourne Victory and now with Yokohama.
Newcastle showed some promise at the end of last season, and I think they will be the team to watch this season.
4th — Western Sydney Wanderers
I don’t really rate Carl Robinson, but I rate the squad he’s building. The Wanderers missed out on finals last season, mostly due to inconsistency. They may have lost both Bruce Kamau and Mitch Duke, however their recruitment has been very impressive.
Signing Socceroo Rhys Williams, as well as Dimitri Petratos and Terry Antonis, I think they will finish comfortably in the top 6 this season.
3rd — Melbourne Victory
I love and hate Tony Popovic. He was the centrepiece of the Glory’s success in the 2018/19 season and I have the utmost respect for him because of that. He won our first piece of silverware in 16 years.
Now, he’s doing a similar job with Melbourne Victory but he’s taken some of Glory’s best players, including Socceroo Chris Ikonomidis and young gun Nick D’Agostino. I think Victory fans have something to be excited about this season, especially if they get a striker.
2nd — Macarthur Bulls
I must admit that Macarthur’s recruitment ahead of this season has been first class. They were pretty impressive last season and I think there’s only up for this side. Bringing in proven quality like Dávila and Juric, is making me nervous as an opposition fan.
They, along with the team that I have in first, will be the ones competing for silverware this season.
1st — Melbourne City
Melbourne City are without a doubt the best team in the competition. Their frontline is amazing and the rest of their team is unbelievable. I don’t see too many teams beating them this season. I also wouldn’t be surprised if they achieved a similar feat as they did last season, by winning the premiership and championship again this season.
I have no doubt that they will be the top scorers this season with a front three of Andrew Nabbout, Mathew Leckie and Jamie Maclaren.
