A-League: Wooden spoon fight takes centre stage

Central Coast Mariners’ home clash with Adelaide United on Sunday has been postponed after the team were left stranded in Dubai, leaving just one A-League fixture taking place.

The Mariners were in AFC Cup action on Wednesday night as they took on Kyrgyzstan champions Abdish-Ata Kant, drawing the first-leg encounter 1-1.

However, their return to Australia was put on hold following heavy flooding in Dubai which resulted in flights being cancelled.

The Mariners were unable to return in time to play Sunday’s fixture against the Reds and a new date will have to be found.

Central Coast are 1.16 to win the minor premiership after Wellington Phoenix could only draw with 1-1 Newcastle on Friday night.

The cancellation of that game means Perth Glory versus Western United takes centre stage, with both sides battling to avoid the wooden spoon.

. What: Perth Glory v Western United FC
. Where: HBF Park, Perth
. When: 18:00, Sunday 21st April 2024
. How to watch: Paramount+
. Odds: Perth Glory 2.40, Draw 3.75, Western United FC 2.70

Glory look to respond after City mauling

The Glory issued a public apology to their supporters following an embarrassing 8-0 loss against Melbourne City last week.

However, it is more important they do their talking on the pitch when Western United visit HBF Park on Sunday afternoon.

The statement issued by the club admitted the defeat was "completely unacceptable and embarrassing" and has promised a "strong response" against Western.

Head coach Alen Stajcic has also backed his players to stand up and fight, so all eyes will be on them to see if they can deliver.

Glory sit at the foot of the ladder, one point behind Western with just two games of the regular season remaining.

Glory are 1.44 to finish bottom and pick up the wooden spoon, while Western are priced at 2.60.

The men in purple have failed to win in the last eight games, but they do have Adam Taggart, who has bagged 17 A-League goals this season.

Amazingly, Glory have scored more goals than ladder-leaders Wellington Phoenix this season, but it is the 58 conceded that is the issue.

Taggart can be backed at 5.50 to score the first goal of the game or 2.20 to score at anytime.

Western have edge over Glory

Western have also conceded 51 goals this season, but have been less prolific when scoring just 32, the lowest amount in the A-League.

John Aloisi’s side came out on top earlier in the season, winning 1-0 in Melbourne, and can be backed at 17.00 to pick up the same result in Perth.

They have also won five of the last six games against Glory and take out the game last month, there are usually plenty of goals when these two sides meet.

Over 2.5 goals on Sunday is priced at 1.40, while both teams to score is available at 1.33.

Michael Ruhs bagged a couple of goals in the recent win over Macarthur and is 3.10 to score at anytime.