The Hyundai A-League returns with five fascinating fixtures across a significant Round 17.
Young stars are emerging, rivalries are growing and the pressure is beginning to mount on some with only 10 matches to come after this weekend.
Here are five reasons to be watching from Thursday.
WHO CAN HANDLE THE HEAT?
John Aloisi and Kenny Lowe are both under the spotlight for a lacklustre run of results from their respective teams.
Aloisi’s men have dropped three straight and are without a win on home turf in two months.
Even Perth Glory have prevailed more recently at Suncorp Stadium, but four straight losses since that 2-1 success have increased the pressure.
It’ll be a real test of mettle in the Queensland capital on Thursday night.
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WANDERERS, VICTORY IN TOP FOUR TUSSLE
Western Sydney and Melbourne Victory are at the heart of a four-way battle for prime positioning behind the two frontrunners.
A top four finish guarantees a home final and Friday night’s clash at ANZ Stadium will be crucial to determining who gains that advantage.
If Wanderers win, they’ll move within a point of Kevin Muscat’s men and still have a game in hand.
Will Victory be bold in a bid for three points, or settle for keeping the hosts at bay?
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GUNS DRAWN IN THE HUNTER
Newcastle Jets have rightly earned their reputation as the Hyundai A-League’s entertainers, attacking at pace and scoring with regularity.
But they could soon have a fresh challenger if Wellington Phoenix’s newly-assembled front four can gel quickly.
With Andrija Kaluderovic at the top, Nathan Burns and Roy Krishna either side and Matija Ljujic in behind, Darije Kalezic suddenly has a forward line capable of causing chaos at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.
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SYDNEY SEEK REVENGE
Central Coast memorably became the first, and so far only, team to beat Sydney FC this season with their shock 2-0 win in November.
The Sky Blues have been almost untouchable since, claiming 26 of a possible 30 points, but they surely won’t be satisfied until they get one back over the Mariners.
Can they reverse the early-season upset, or will Paul Okon lead another rendition of ‘Horses’ at Allianz Stadium?
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YOUNG STARS FACE OFF
Need another reason to get excited by the Hyundai A-League? Then tune into the action at AAMI Park on Sunday evening and feel good about the future of Australian football.
The visiting Adelaide United will be buoyed last weekend’s fighting draw against Sydney, which was secured by a youthful starting side featuring the likes of impressive goalkeeper Daniel Margush, livewire forward Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and 16-year-old Lachlan Brook.
But the Reds aren’t alone in terms of fresh-faced talent, with the silky Daniel Arzani pulling the strings for Melbourne City and Nathaniel Atkinson handling every challenge thrown at him.
The ingredients are right for a stellar showdown of budding stars.
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