Soccer: This week's NZFC predictions

AUCKLAND CITY V MANAWATU

* Kiwitea St, Sandringham, tomorrow 4pm.

Referee: Neil Fox

Auckland

Ross Nicholson
Paul Seaman
Jonathan Perry
Liam Mulrooney
James Pritchett
Jonathan Smith
Grant Young
Neil Sykes
Keryn Jordan
Paul Vodanovich
Matt Cunneen

Substitutes

Paul Urlovic
Richard Gillespie
Reg Davani
Greg Uhlmann
Riki Van Steeden

Manawatu

Mark Tesar
Darren Cheriton
Campbell Banks
Commins Menapi
Ian Sandbrook
Dalin Wilson
Benjamin Totori
Ian Robinson
Steven Old
Michael Utting
Nick Roydhouse/Josh Smith.

Substitutes

Hayden Englefield
Jared McElhannan
Nathan Hill
Nathan Cooksley

ODDS $1.99 DRAW $3.20 ODDS $3.65

Prediction: Top of the table with much more than just bragging rights at stake. City remain a clinical lot as they again showed in seeing off Otago. Jordan already has his foot in the golden boot. The visitors are without suspended Alick Maemae but that alone will not stifle their challenge even if they don't seem to do as well away from home.

HAWKES BAY UNITED V WAIKATO FC

* Park Island, Napier, tomorrow 4pm.

Referee: Michael Brock

Hawkes Bay United

Scott Dunn
Wayne Atkins
Graham Fyfe
Jason Hayne
Dean Johnston
Niklas Sandor
Shaun Easthope
Nick Lucas
Marty Akers
Jamie Farrington
Sam Jenkins

Substitutes

Mitch OBrien
Willie Stanger
Lee Mudd
Chris Greatholder
Nathan Holten
David Geary

Waikato FC

Tamati Williams
Stu Watene
LJ Pijnenburg
Aaron Scott
Grant Cooper
Danny Donegan
Andrew Foskett
Matt Williams
Nathan Robertson
Colin Gardyne
Michael Gwyther

Substitutes

David Samson
Brent Mayhew
Hindrich Hahn
Franpisek Mudrik
Mark Fulcher

ODDS $3.20 DRAW $3.20 ODDS $2.05

Prediction: In direct contrast to the top of the table battle being played at the same time, this one is at the other end of the heap with the resurgent Waikato favoured even away from home. Losing Paul Caton to suspension won't help Waikato but they should still have too much for United who have only four points from 11 outings.

OTAGO UNITED V CANTERBURY UNITED

* Caledonian Ground, Dunedin, Sunday 3pm.

Referee: Jamie Cross

Otago United

Lutz Pfannenstiel
Craig Dale
Tim Horner
Andy Boyens
Ian Mandry
Michael Eisenhut
Uliks Kotrri
John Chisholm
Andy Coburn/Francesco Caruso
Blair Scoullar
Brad Scott

Substitutes

Will Morunga
Robbie Deeley
Michael Cunningham
Rupesh Puna
Michael Abbott/Caruso

Canterbury United

James Bannatyne
Daniel Terris
Ben Sigmund
Michael Lilley
Chris Morris
Glen Collins
Brent Fisher
Justin Lucas
Michael White
Stuart Kelly
Andrew Barron

Substitutes

Daniel Moir
Andy Pitman
Nic Tither
James Reichweinn
Jordan Ashton

ODDS $2.65 DRAW $3.20 ODDS $2.40

Prediction: The Mainland battle with one team, Canterbury, comfortably in play-off contention, the other, Otago, in the four-way race for the top four. Otago must bounce back from their 4-1 loss in Auckland while the visitors go into the game at the Cally on the back of a 2-0 away win Napier.

TEAM WELLINGTON V WAITAKERE UNITED 

* Newtown Park, Wellington, Sunday 4pm.

Referee: Michael Hester

Team Wellington

Dylan Hall
Steven Gulley
Matt Adams
Karl Whalen
Adam Birch
David Johnston
Dan Keat
Michael Eager
Bryan Little
Graham Little
Wiremu Patrick

Substitutes

Michael Smith
Peter Halstead
Jamie Duncan
Sam Peters
Nick Tarrant
Costa Barbarouses

Waitakere United

Simon Eaddy
Hone Fowler
Craig Wylie
Ben Steward
George Suri
Ben Hall
Shannon Cole
Chris Limmer
Chris Jackson
Sean Douglas
Richie Cardozo

Substitutes

Stu Hogg
Steve Callinan
Prince Quansah
Jeff Sole

ODDS $2.40 DRAW $3.20 ODDS $2.65

Prediction: A nervous one for coaches Mick Waitt and Steve Cain who are still looking for a half decent effort from players who simply don't live up to reputation. At best, both teams can turn it on. Sadly it doesn't happen very often these days. A draw figures as the best bet.

GOLDEN BOOT

14: Keryn Jordan (Auckland City).
9: Commins Menapi (YoungHeart Manawatu).
8: Grant Young (Auckland City).
7: Richie Cardozo (Waitakere), Brent Fisher (Canterbury).
6: Bryan Little, Graham Little (Team Wellington).
5: Campbell Banks (Manawatu), Blair Scoullar (Otago).
4: Francesco Caruso (Otago), Ian Robinson (Manawatu), Jonathan Smith (Auckland).
3: David Johnston (Team Wellington), Stuart Kelly (Canterbury), Nathan Robertson (Waikato RC), Brad Scott (Otago), Paul Urlovic (Auckland), Matt Williams (Waikato FC).

LAST WEEK

Auckland City 4 Otago United 1, Hawkes Bay United 0 Canterbury United 2, Team Wellington 2 YoungHeart Manawatu 2,Waikato FC 2 Waitakere United 2

NEXT WEEK

Hawkes Bay United v Auckland City, Waitakere United v Manawatu, Canterbury Utd v Team Wellington, Otago United v Waikato FC