Betfair Live Video: The A-League returns, as Sydney look to end years of hurt.

Will Del Piero's departure benefit Sydney in their title challenge?

The A-League is back, and Lewis Watson previews the best of Saturday's action being streamed live on Betfair Live Video...

Central Coast Mariners vs Newcastle Jets
Saturday 07:00

Looking back at the Mariners last campaign, you could easily jot it down as the definition of a 'nearly season'. Finishing third in the league and being eliminated in the semi-final of the Finals Series, Phil Moss found it hard to rekindle the impressive form that saw them pick up silverware in the previous two seasons. 

In comparison, at the other end of the 'success spectrum', their visitors on Saturday are a side who have scrapped for points ever since their 2008 Finals Series title. With only one top six finish since then, new coach Phil Stubbins (of little top flight experience), has been brought in to bring back the glory days/day in the Jets camp...

With the hosts coming into this season as unfancied and under-rated as ever, Phil Moss thrives on the certain disregard his side are viewed with by the rest of the A-League. Albeit one of the smallest clubs in terms of size, stature and success, Moss as well as his predecessors have worked hard to implement a strong work ethic in the Mariners camp which has seen the subsequent rewards in the past few seasons. 

After the inevitable departure of some of the clubs higher-profile names, the Mariners have recruited well with Moss claiming he has a 22-strong squad of first team potentials for this opening match, all fighting for a spot. 

In terms of goal scoring, the Mariners are still looking to find that ideal replacement for A-League stalwart Daniel McBreen. After binging on nineteen league goals leading to the Mariners securing the 2013 Grand Final, this season's replacements appear in the form of Hungarian Richard Vernes and Senegalese striker Malick Mane, who will be aiming for a similar season leading the Mariners attack. 

After half a dozen nightmare seasons, sorry Jets fans, but it doesn't look like improving any time soon. Since last season's predicted disappointment, Jets owners have reverted to culling their squad and ripping out their core of youth and experience. With a clear void being left by the departure of Heskey, Taggart, Bridges, Burns and Zadkovich (to name but a few), new boss Stubbins' squad is looking very thin on the ground despite a few unglamorous signings.

The best of an un-fancied bunch look to be the pair of Argentineans who have joined from Mariners and Adelaide United respectively. Midfielder Marcos Flores and striker Jeronimo Neumann both experienced frustrating seasons last year, but with a point to prove in the A-League they could well be the motivation this side needs to show to induce some fight this season. 

There is no doubt that Newcastle are a side looking to rebuild over the next few seasons, with Saturday's challenge proving difficult for them - particularly on the opening day of the campaign.  

Recommended Bets:
Back Central Coast Mariners to win @ 2.021/1
Back under 2.5 goals @ 1.758/11

Sydney FC vs Melbourne City
Saturday 09:30

After last year's disappointing fifth-place finish, Sydney expectations are high coming into the 2014-15 season. With Graham Arnold assembling the most feared attack in the A-League, a return of silverware after a five-year gap is the minimum requirement for some Sky Blues fans. 

After Del Piero's move to the Indian Super League, Arnold has fresh talent to choose from upfront, with four key signings capable of causing many an A-League defence serious problems. Janko, Ibini, Smeltz and Brosque all join the Sydney party, with the pace of former Hayes and Yeading striker Corey Gameiro fighting for a starting place after netting twelve times in pre-season.

For the first time in a few seasons it appears that Sydney have real strength and depth in their squad. With a minimum of two players per position, Arnold has plenty to choose from, and without the distraction of the AFC Champions League that will no doubt dent Brisbane, Wanderers and Mariners challenges, Sydney are looking strong for a proper title challenge. 

Melbourne City, despite losing the Heart from their name, have gained a lot this summer and come into the new season with an air of uncertainty about their expectations and aims. As with most sides fresh off the back of a cash injection, new faces will take time to gel for John van't Schip at the City helm - but with notable arrivals such as David Villa (albeit for only ten matches), Damien Duff and Robert Koren, last season's tenth placed finish will surely be an all but distant ugly memory as the weeks role by.

With new faces aplenty, Melbourne will still no doubt be disappointed in missing out on the services of Frank Lampard for a possible spell before his move to New York. Opting to play for Man City instead, many thought the natural move would be for him to make a loan switch to Melbourne, on the basis that all three clubs are under the same ownership. 

Strength and depth epitomizes both of these sides at the start of the season, and both will be disappointed if they don't make this year's Finals Series. Saturday's match will be the pick of the bunch Down Under, with Sydney sealing all three points with a narrow win. 

Recommended Bets:
Back Sydney FC to win @ 2.6413/8
Back over 2.5 goals @ 1.9310/11