Can Maccarone fire Brisbane Roar to A-League glory?

BOOKMAKERS are tipping Massimo Maccarone to make an impact in the A-League this season, despite concerns the marquee man might be past his use-by date.

The signing has raised a few eyebrows, but Brisbane Roar representatives have defended the decision to replace the departing Jamie Maclaren with a 37-year-old striker who scored on only one of his 17 starts for Empoli last season.

“He’s a fantastic fit for us,” said Craig Moore, Brisbane’s football director.

“How many other A-League clubs have got someone who played in the Serie A last season?

“He has scored at the highest level for almost his entire career, and Italian players know how to keep themselves fit.

“We are delighted that he has made the decision to play for our football club.”

Online bookie Sportsbet.com.au rates Maccarone as a serious contender for the A-League Golden Boot.

The Big Mac! From the @SerieA_TIM to Brisbane…Sit back & enjoy these highlights of our new marquee striker!#FeelTheRoar @ALeague pic.twitter.com/hPmU46mnJN

— Brisbane Roar (@brisbaneroar) July 18, 2017

The Italian is paying +1000 to top the scoring next season and +2000 to win the Johnny Warren Medal.

“I was going to make a joke about Maccarone but it’d just be too cheesy but we all agree that the Roar’s marquee man is a major contender to win this season’s Golden Boot,” said Sportsbet’s Christian Jantzen.

A two-time Italy international rep, Maccarone is best known outside his homeland for a five-year stint on the books at Middlesbrough.

Massimo Maccarone A-League specials

+1000 – A-League Golden Boot

+2000 – Johnny Warren Medallist

-120.48 – Over/under 9.5 total goals

Markets courtesy of Sportsbet.com.au

Punters tip Sydney FC for back-to-back titles

If the early odds are anything to go by, Sydney FC fans are in for another belter of a season.

The Sky Blues did the double in 2016-17, storming to the A-League Premiership and then edging out Melbourne Victory on penalties to claim the Championship.

Online bookmaker CrownBet.com.au has them leading the pack at +275 to lift the trophy again.

Victory (+400) are expected to push them all the way again, with Melbourne City close behind at +450 odds.

Perth Glory are the pick of the outsiders at +700, while the Roar have slipped back to share the +800 quote with Western Sydney Wanderers.

2017-18 A-League outright betting

+275 – Sydney FC

+400 – Melbourne Victory

+450 – Melbourne City

+700 – Perth Glory

+800 – Brisbane Roar, Western Sydney Wanderers

+1000 – Adelaide United

+1400 – Newcastle Jets

+2500 – Central Coast Mariners, Wellington Phoenix

Market courtesy of CrownBet.com.au

Where to now for James Troisi?

James Troisi’s future is in limbo after a bizarre mix-up led to the cancellation of his proposed move to the Middle East.

Photos of the 29-year-old Socceroo posing with a Maccabi Haifa scarf emerged on Sunday, but by Tuesday the deal was dead in the water.

According to Australian media outlets, sources close to Troisi said the Israeli club had fallen well short of meeting the player’s terms.

Now it appears the former Melbourne Victory man, who is currently a free agent, may be courting interest from further north.

Dynamo Moscow are reportedly hoping to lure the forward to the Russian Premier League after winning promotion from the second tier last season.

Another potential destination is Antalyaspor, who are looking to crack the top four in the Turkish Superlig.