As the Isuzu UTE A-League heads into another exciting weekend, aleagues.com.au has everything you need to know of Round 3 of the 2024-25 season.
There is an historic New Zealand derby, an Australia Cup Final rematch and a Victorian rivalry; here’s a snapshot of what to expect from the six games between Friday and Monday night.
*Newcastle Jets have the bye in week three.
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Friday, 7:35pm (AEDT): Brisbane Roar v Sydney FC
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After a bye in Round 2, Brisbane Roar are back in action when they host Sydney FC at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
Defeated in the opening round by Auckland FC, Roar boss Ruben Zadkovich will no doubt have used the week off to fine tune his preparations for the clash with the Sky Blues as they play at home for the first time this season.
With the likes of Jay O’Shea, Keegan Jelacic, Thomas Waddingham and Ben Halloran in the side the Roar have the capacity to hurt any team in the competition and in Indonesian forward Rafael Struick they have a talented young star itching to make an impact.
Sydney FC head coach Ufuk Talay has a big decision to make as to who fills the voids left by Douglas Costa and Joe Lolley, with the duo sidelined with hamstring and groin injuries respectively.
The good news though is winger Max Burgess is back and available for selection after serving a one game ban following his red card in the Sydney Derby.
Saturday, 3:00pm (AEDT): Wellington Phoenix v Auckland FC
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History will be made on Saturday as Wellington Phoenix host new rivals Auckland FC in the very first edition of the New Zealand derby.
Fuelled by the Wellington Phoenix fans flying a banner above the home of their rivals which read “NZ IS YELLOW – SEE YOU NEXT WEEK” – Auckland supporters are likely to respond with their feet, with 500 or so fans expected to be present in the away end at Sky Stadium this weekend.
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Currently sat first and second in the standings respectively, the ‘Nix will be hoping to silence their new neighbours by handing them their first ever competitive loss ;a win for last season’s Semi-Finalists would also see them climb to the top of the ladder.
For the visitors, Steve Corica’s Auckland will play their first ever away game in the Isuzu UTE A-League and come into the clash against their new rivals off the back of a dramatic 1-0 win over Sydney FC.
In a big boost for the Black Knights, midfielder Jake Brimmer is likely to be fully fit for the derby clash after he was only deemed fit enough to play 30 mins against Sydney FC as he recovered from illness.
Saturday, 5:00pm (AEDT): Central Coast Mariners v Perth Glory
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Reigning champions Central Coast Mariners will be hoping to chalk up their first win of the season when they host bottom side Perth Glory on Saturday evening.
A strong second-half showing saw them come from a goal down to salvage a draw against Adelaide United in Round Two and with no AFC Champions League Elite fixture to contend with in midweek, Mark Jackson’s side will certainly be fresher than they were last weekend following a return trip to China.
Socceroo Trent Sainsbury and young forward Miguel Di Pizio both remain sidelined with pectoral and knee injuries respectively while central defender Nathan Paull could be pushing for a start after coming on at half-time against Adelaide.
As for their opponents, Perth Glory head to Gosford looking to secure their first points of the season after what’s been a difficult start to the campaign.
Successive losses against Macarthur Bulls (6-1) and Wellington Phoenix (2-0) have left David Zdrilic’s Perth looking up at the rest of the sides in the Isuzu UTE A-League but the Glory boss will be hoping a number of key players will be sharper heading into round three.
Having arrived late in the pre-season, Ecuadorian international centre-back Luis Cangá is rapidly getting up to full fitness while midfielder Nicholas Pennington also made his first appearance of the campaign against his old side Wellington in round two.
Saturday, 7:35pm (AEDT): Western Sydney Wanderers v Adelaide United
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The Wanderers picked up their first point of the new campaign in Round 2 courtesy of a 1-1 draw with Western United, a game which saw Socceroo Brandon Borrello open his account for the season.
Hampered by injury last season, Borrello looked back to his best at times against Western United and with Spanish star Juan Mata rapidly getting up to speed in the competition, Wanderers boss Alen Stajcic will be hoping the pair, alongside forward forward Nicolas Milanovic, can soon become one of the most formidable attacks in the league.
After a Round One bye, Adelaide kicked off their campaign with a 1-1 draw at home to Central Coast Mariners, a game which saw young forward Luka Jovanovic open his account for the season.
Whilst head coach Carl Veart is certainly no stranger to fielding young players at the Reds, he’ll be hoping a few of his senior players are soon available for selection – most notably Dutch off-season signing Bart Vriends.
A series of minor muscular injuries has meant the 33-year-old is yet to feature for his new club but Veart hinted at a possible role for the Dutchman against the Wanderers.
Sunday, 4:00pm (AEDT): Melbourne Victory v Macarthur Bulls
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Sunday evening will see Melbourne Victory and Macarthur Bulls lock horns again at AAMI Park.
Earlier this month, the Bulls stunned Victory to win the 2024 Australia Cup at AAMI Park.
This weekend, high-flying Victory – who are set to welcome back Roderick Miranda from suspension – have the chance to avenge that defeat in the third round of the A-Leagues season.
Victory are coming off a dominant 3-1 derby win over Melbourne City – a result fuelled by Socceroo Nishan Velupillay and in-form midfielder Ryan Teague, while Mile Sterjovski’s Bulls were upstaged by Newcastle Jets in Round 2.
Monday, 7:00pm (AEDT): Western United v Melbourne City
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The round concludes with another fixture at AAMI Park on Monday night.
Western United are the hosts as they do battle with Victorian rivals Melbourne City under lights.
John Aloisi’s Western have two points from two games, with their academy graduates continuing to impress – from Matt Grimaldi and Charbel Shamoon, to Dylan Leonard and Oli Lavale.
City will be licking their wounds after a derby defeat that saw the one-time champions concede three goals inside the opening 25 minutes.
