Brisbane Roar, Western Sydney Wanderers and Adelaide United are all in action this week as Week 2 of the AFC Champions League group stage is played Monday-Wednesday. We take a closer look at how they are faring in the competition so far plus preview their Week 2 clashes below.
Ulsan vs Brisbane Roar (Tuesday 9.30 AEDT)
Brisbane Roar is the A-League team in the best position after Round 1 of the AFC Champions League after holding onto a 0-0 draw with Thai side Muangthong United at home last Tuesday night. The Thai side were arguably the weakest of their 3 group stage opponents, with Japanese side Kashima Antlers and Tuesday’s opponent, Korean side Ulsan looking the form sides heading into the group.
It doesn’t mean that Brisbane are without a fighting chance here, although travelling to Korea after a tough 2-1 loss to Wellington on the weekend will be a tough prospect, made even harder by the host of injuries the Roar are currently battling. Regular first team members Daniel Bowles, Luke DeVere, Corey Brown and Connor O’Toole will be unavailable for the match.
Their domestic 2nd choice keeper, Jamie Young, looks set to get the nod over regular A-League gloveman Michael Theo in what has become somewhat of a specialist AFC Champions League role. Young will be hunting for his 5th consecutive clean sheet, after keeping Asian sides Muangthong, Shanghai Shenhua and Global FC scoreless in his last three.
While the Roar defence has been stringent in the AFC this year, the quartet of defenders they’ll be without for this match will make it extremely hard for them. Captain and regular midfielder Matt McKay will likely line-up at left back alongside a trio of inexperienced defenders. For that reason, I think the Korean team should have too much class, especialy at home, for the Brisbane side here.
TIP: Ulsan to win and both teams to score - $4.33 at bet365
Shanghai East Asia vs Western Sydney Wanderers (Tuesday 10.30pm AEDT)
Western Sydney will play their 2nd game in what could be considered the group of death Wednesday night when they face off against Chinese powerhouse Shanghai East Asia at Shanghai Stadium. After losing 4-0 to Japanese team Urawa Red Diamonds last week, the Wanderers still have arguably their two toughest matches to come in Shanghai and Korean team FC Seoul.
They’ll only be worrying about Tuesday night’s matchup against Shanghai for the time being, which will be a daunting prospect. The Chinese team boasts Brazilian stars Oscar, Elkeson and Hulk as well as Portuguese legend Ricardo Carvalho who join a host of quality Chinese talent. After starting the season playing for Chelsea in the EPL, Oscar transferred to China in a massive money deal to make Shanghai one of the favourites to take out the Chinese Super League.
The one good sign for Western Sydney here is that the Chinese season has yet to begin, meaning teams are still in pre-season and still finding their feet in regards to chemistry. We saw Brisbane United knock off Shanghai Shenhua just a few weeks ago in a massive upset to book themselves a place in the AFC Champions League. The victory could have been attributed to the Chinese team’s lack of match fitness.
The Wanderers will be hoping for a similar fortune here, but I think travelling to China straight Western Australia after a 2-0 loss to Perth Glory on the weekend will be too much for the A-League side. While they have been quite good in defence so far this domestic campaign, the Brazilian front three will be unlike anything they’ve faced so far and should slip at least a few past them.
TIP: Shanghai East Asia to score in both halves - $2 at bet365
Jiangsu FC vs Adelaide United (Wednesday 10.35pm AEDT)
Adelaide United will close the Australian involvement in Round 2 of the AFC Champions League when they square off against Korean side Jiangsu FC on Wednesday night (AEDT). In what is probably the most winnable game for the Australian sides, Adeliade will still defeinitely have their work cut out for them as they travel to South Korea just a few days after a disappointing 2-1 loss to the Victory in Melbourne on Saturday.
Wednesday will mark the first time these two teams have played and also the first time Jiangsu FC has played any Australian side. This could bode well for Adelaide, with the Korean side never having come across the Australian style before. Like most Asian teams these days, Jiangsu boast a few quality international players in Brazilian duo Ramieres and Alex Teixeira as well as Columbian National player Roger Martinez.
In their 2016 form, you’d back Adelaide to make a real game of this, but taking into account their horrendous 2016-17 A-League form, you would be silly to back them away from home here. I think the Australians unfortunately go 0-3 in the AFC Champions League this week, with the best you can hope for is one of the teams holding onto a low scoring draw.
TIP: Jiangsu FC to win to nil - $2.20 at Sportsbet
Take note: Any of the tips in this article are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always gamble responsibly. Also be sure to check out the Before You Bet Twitter Page for all our thoughts in the lead up to bets! Happy punting!
