As the Isuzu UTE A-League heads into an exciting Unite Round weekend in Sydney, aleagues.com.au has everything you need to know about Round 5 of the 2024-25 season.
The entire Isuzu UTE A-League will descend on Sydney for Unite Round this weekend.
All six matches will be held at Allianz Stadium, headlined by a blockbuster derby between Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers.
There is also a mouth-watering showdown as league-leading Melbourne Victory do battle with high-flying Wellington Phoenix, while Auckland FC will look to preserve their 100% record following a round-four bye.
*Bye: Melbourne City
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Friday, 5:30pm (AEDT): Perth Glory v Western United
Allianz Stadium – Paramount+
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Unite Round will kick-off with a game that could kickstart the season of these two sides following the international break.
Both Perth Glory and Western United are eyeing their first wins of the campaign – David Zdrilic’s glory have collected one point from four matches, while John Aloisi’s youthful Western are one point better off.
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Perth Glory have a point to prove after a 5-0 loss at the hands of Melbourne City. As for Western United, they are are coming off a controversial 2-1 loss away to Adelaide United.
We could be in for some goals, too. The last time these clubs met in April, Western won a thriller 4-3 thanks to goals from academy graduates Matt Grimaldi, Abel Walatee and Oli Lavale while Socceroo Adam Taggart scored for the Glory.
Friday, 8:00pm (AEDT): Newcastle Jets v Central Coast Mariners
Allianz Stadium – Paramount+
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Who is ready for an F3 Derby at… Allianz Stadium?!
Early season bragging rights are on the line as Newcastle Jets face two-time reigning champions Central Coast Mariners on Friday night. The Jets, however, must buck a trend having lost five straight games against their rivals.
Newcastle and Central Coast are both locked on three points, though the Mariners are yet to win a game while the Jets have a match in hand following a round-three bye.
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Rob Stanton’s Jets made a statement with a 2-1 win over Australia Cup winners Macarthur Bulls in Round 2, but crashed back down to earth following a 4-1 rout at the hands of Western Sydney Wanderers. As for the new-look Mariners, they have a point to prove after a comprehensive 3-0 defeat at home to Wellington Phoenix.
Saturday, 5:00pm (AEDT): Brisbane Roar v Adelaide United
Allianz Stadium – 10 BOLD and Paramount+
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Saturday night’s entre is a showdown between Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United. It is also a reunion as Ben Halloran, Ben Warland and Harry Van der Saag reunite with former side the Reds.
Brisbane – whose Jack Hingert scored the match winner in an historic result for Sri Lanka during the week – will also be eyeing their first points of the season, having lost all of their opening three matches, though there have been encouraging signs as young gun Thomas Waddingham continues to impress.
Adelaide will be out to stay undefeated. Like Brisbane, the Reds have only played three games and are yet to lose as they sit three points off the pace.
If there is one thing almost guaranteed, it is goals based on their previous meeting in April which saw Adelaide prevail 4-3 at Suncorp Stadium.
Saturday, 7:35pm (AEDT): Sydney FC v Western Sydney Wanderers
Allianz Stadium – 10 BOLD and Paramount+
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Strap yourselves in folks, this could be a wild ride.
The second Sydney Derby of the season will take place at Allianz Stadium as the Sky Blues and Western Sydney Wanderers go head-to-head.
In Round 1, Ufuk Talay’s Sydney FC were 2-1 winners at CommBank Stadium, where former Celtic striker Patryk Klimala scored the winning goal.
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There will be stars wherever you look, with former Bayern Munich and Juventus attacker Douglas Costa in line to make his A-Leagues return for the Sky Blues, while ex-Manchester United and Chelsea playmaker Juan Mata flies the flag for the Wanderers. Throw in Socceroos hopeful Nicolas Milanovic and former Serie A midfielder Leo Sena and it bodes for a fascinating contest.
There are also set to be returning Subway Socceroos in the mix, with captain Rhyan Grant and recent debutant Anthony Caceres returning from international duty, as well as Wanderers forward Brandon Borrello.
Sunday, 1:30pm (AEDT): Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne Victory
Allianz Stadium – Paramount+
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The last time Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory met, there was drama aplenty.
More than 33,000 fans packed out Sky Stadium for May’s Semi-Final second leg and they witnessed a 120-minute thriller as Victory edged the Phoenix 2-1 after extra time en route to the Grand Final.
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Adama Traore’s stunning long-range strike had Victory on track for the decider, before Wellington substitute Oskar Zawada forced extra time with a dramatic 99th-minute equaliser. The visitors, though eventually triumphed.
Fast forward to Sunday, and it is another battle between two in-form sides. Giancarlo Italiano’s Wellington are third and three points behind league-leading Victory, who are yet to lose through four rounds.
Sunday, 4:00pm (AEDT): Macarthur Bulls v Auckland FC
Allianz Stadium – Paramount+
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Can newcomers Auckland FC preserve their 100% record this weekend?
Prior to the international break, the Black Knights had the bye in Round 4 and they return to action with the chance to make it four wins from four games.
Steve Corica’s Auckland are also yet to concede a goal in an historic start to life in the competition.
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It will be their first match in Australia and standing in the way will be 2024 Australia Cup champions Macarthur Bulls – fuelled by in-form Croatian Marin Jakolis, who has scored four goals already this season.
The Bulls could end the weekend as high as second with a third win in 2024-25.
