The Hyundai A-League is set to light up the festive period with five cracking fixtures scheduled from Thursday night right through to Boxing Day.
Headlined by a mouth-watering Melbourne Derby, there will be no shortage of action as each team aims to deliver the perfect present to their supporters.
Here are five reasons to get stuck into Round 12.
KEOGH BACK AS GLORY GO FOR THE JUGULAR
On the back of a much-needed home win over Wellington Phoenix, Perth Glory can smell blood ahead of their trip to struggling Brisbane Roar.
They’ve brought in star striker Andy Keogh for the trip east and are looking to exploit a lack of confidence in the home side.
Can Brisbane fight their way out of trouble?
John Aloisi’s side have won their last four Thursday fixtures on the trot, although they will have to do it without the injured Ivan Franjic.
JETS SEEK TO SNAP WANDERERS WOES
Newcastle might be flying high in second but they’ll need to see off some mental demons in order to overcome Western Sydney on Friday night.
Wanderers – 2-0 winners in Gosford last weekend – haven’t lost in their last six meetings with the Jets and are unbeaten in all eight trips to McDonald Jones Stadium.
But with three victories from four and a cushy four-point gap to third, Ernie Merrick’s men are better placed than ever to mark a new chapter.
HOW WILL WELLINGTON RESPOND?
Wellington Phoenix farewelled Gui Finkler earlier this month and have now seen assistant coach Rado Vidosic depart alongside son Dario, another key attacking midfielder.
Add to the mix a four-match winless run and the onus is on Darije Kalezic’s side to turn it around.
It’ll be far from easy against leaders Sydney FC, but perhaps the competition’s toughest test is just what they need to pull together.
VICTORY DRIVEN BY DERBY REVENGE
Nothing burns more than derby defeat.
Melbourne Victory’s up-and-down season to date might have been different had they not lost to City in Round 2, but this is the perfect chance to truly kick-start a surge up the ladder.
City have never won this fixture twice in succession and know their lead over their rivals will be cut back to six points with defeat.
And given neither team has kept a clean sheet in the derby since 2015, you can expect plenty of fireworks.
BOXING DAY BLOCKBUSTER BECKONS
Boxing Day is always highly anticipated on the Australian sporting calendar and the Hyundai A-League has carved out its own place among the landscape.
This year’s clash sees Adelaide United and Central Coast Mariners attempt to return to winning ways following last-start defeats.
It’s a special opportunity for the players to make their mark on an audience hungry for entertainment.
And with the winner certain to end the round in the top six, there is plenty of incentive to serve up a classic.
