Play Fantasy Football with MVFC Blog: My tips and squad

FoxSports are giving away $9,000 in prizes in this season’s A-League Fantasy league.

I signed up yesterday and came up with a team I reckon may be able to do well this season.

I’ve also set up an MVFC Blog league, which you’re all free to join. Go to the leagues page (you’ll need to log in first) and enter this code: 11536-1667.

Fox are also running a tipping competition, so I’ve also set up an MVFC Blog tipping comp. Go here and enter this code: 2119-165.

I’m feeling pretty sketchy on my knowledge of the other teams out there, but I’ve got a feeling this will be a good season for the Mariners, Jets and Adelaide. Sydney are highly rated, but I think they’ll struggle on the edge of the four, while the Phoenix have a stronger squad that should lift them into contention for finals football.

Here’s what I’m tipping this round:

• Newcastle Jets to beat Central Coast Mariners. It’ll be a tight, exciting opening match to kick-start the season, and I think Newcastle will scrape away with a narrow 1-goal victory.
• Sydney FC to collapse before the mighty Victory. Okay, perhaps not collapse… But Sydney have a major selection headache with so many of their top shelf players injured or unavailable. Melbourne to win by a goal or two.
• Wellington Phoenix to beat the Queensland Roar. I have my doubts about the Roar this year; meanwhile, the Phoenix should get a strong home crowd after their pulsating run in the Pre-Season Cup. The home advantage will lift them to a win.
• Adelaide United to down the Perth Glory. Of the four tips, this is the one I’m most confident about. Adelaide have assembled a strong squad, while I’m anticipating a wooden spoon year for the Glory.

Now, back to the Fantasy League… Here’s who I’m going with:

• Goal: Glen Moss (WP) may not be the best goalkeeper in the league, but he’s got a strong defence in front of him.
• Defence: As above, I’m counting on the Phoenix keeping opposition goals at a minimum. Karl Dodd and Jon McKain (WP) make up one half of my defence, while Rodrigo Vargas and Michael Thwaite (MV) making up the other half. Both are certain starters, and Melbourne have the quality this year to shore up the back.
• Midfield: Jose Luis Lopez (MV) may be the best buy at the moment, at only 6.00. He’s a certain starter and looks like he could steal a few assists here and there. Alongside him, I have Kaz Patafta and Jin-Hyung Song from the Newcastle Jets, and Stuart Musialik from Sydney FC. Musialik will be spending this week on my Fantasy Bench.
• Attack: Going with a Brazilian triad up front with Cristiano Cristiano (AU), Ney Fabiano de Oliveira (MV) and half-Dutch, half-Brazilian Sergio van Dijk (QR). Fabiano may need replacing if Merrick decides to bench him once Archie returns, but for now he looks like pretty good value.

Okay, so your turn. Head over to FoxSports, get signed up, and let us know what you’re tipping and who you’re picking.