Another round of the Isuzu UTE A-League is upon us – and so is another chance for you to make last-minute renovations to your Official A-League Men Fantasy squad!
Consider these five fantasy assets to take into battle in Round 5, thanks to neds.
Patrick Wood – Sydney FC
- Ownership: 1%
- Price: $211K
- Total points: 24
- Average: 6.0
Adam Le Fondre misses out for a second week running through injury for Sydney FC, paving the way for young striker Patrick Wood to lead the line from the start in successive games.
Wood has scored two in two since Le Fondre limped off the park in Round 3 against Adelaide United. The Sky Blues have scored more goals than any team in the competition (10) thus far; Joe Lolley and Robert Mak will take up plenty of Brisbane Roar’s thinking in preparation as they head into Round 5 as they line up on either wing and that could help Wood slip under the radar and cause problems for the Roar defence.
Hiroshi Ibusuki – Adelaide United
- Ownership: 2%
- Price: $265K
- Total points: 14
- Average: 4.7
The chances are flowing for Adelaide United – but the goals aren’t just yet. Against a Western defence which has so far leaked 10 goals – the most of any side league-wide – this might be the week for Hiroshi Ibusuki to feast whilst leading the line for the Reds.
Adelaide have created 58 chances – the most of any side. Carl Veart’s side have an expected goals tally of more than eight, but have scored just five. As a result, Ibusuki’s price has fallen, with just 2% of fantasy managers including the Japanese striker in their squad. Should the Reds start to cash in on those chances created, expect Ibusuki to be at the heart of it – especially with the quality of delivery Craig Goodwin possesses from free kicks and corners.
Curtis Good – Melbourne City
- Ownership: 5%
- Price: $333K
- Total points: 18
- Average: 9.0
After an injury-hampered start to the season, Curtis Good has put together two 90-minute shifts – and he’s expected to have his partner in crime in Nuno Reis back alongside him for the first time this season when Melbourne City face Perth Glory in Round 5.
It’s head coach Patrick Kisnorbo’s favourite combination in the heart of defence, one the reigning premiers have missed early doors with the likes of Thomas Lam and Scott Jamieson plugging gaps in their absence. Should Good and Reis get on the park together and stay there, City’s chances of retaining clean sheets will soar – and so will Good’s collection of fantasy points.
Kosta Barbarouses – Wellington Phoenix
- Ownership: 6%
- Price: $222K
- Total points: 25
- Average: 6.3
Kosta Barbarouses got off the mark last weekend with a crucial strike against Melbourne City, coming on in the second half and helping haul Wellington Phoenix from two goals down to steal a point in a dramatic draw.
Barbarouses dropped to the bench in Round 4, admitting any of the 11 starters from a 3-1 loss to the Jets the weekend prior could have been moved to the bench after the disappointing display. But it was much better from Barbarouses and the ‘Nix against City – and his all-important goal could win back his spot in the first XI when Macarthur travel to Sky Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Barbarouses has created four chances and taken 12 shots in four appearances to date in 2022-23.
Roderick Miranda – Melbourne Victory
- Ownership: 6%
- Price: $299K
- Total points: 25
- Average: 6.3
Last weekend’s 0-0 draw with Brisbane Roar left plenty for Melbourne Victory to improve upon in the final third – but defensively Tony Popovic’s side will take pleasure from keeping their first clean sheet of the season.
A head coach who prides himself on the rigidity of his team’s in defence, Popovic will hope for a continuation of that form in Round 4 – and it’s a clash with Newcastle Jets at home which presents on Friday night for last season’s finalists to do just that. Roderick Miranda is Victory’s third-highest points scorer over the opening four rounds; he collected 12 of those points in his side’s Brisbane shutout and will look to repeat the feat on Friday night.