The Isuzu UTE A-League is back this weekend and aleagues.com.au has everything you need to know ahead of Round 23 of the 2024-25 season.
Read on for a game-by-game preview ahead of Round 23.
*Bye: Melbourne City
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Adelaide United v Macarthur Bulls
Friday, March 14 – Coopers Stadium – 7:35pm AEDT
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Adelaide United have gone from rivalling Auckland FC for the Premier’s Plate to now anxiously looking over the shoulder when it comes to maintaining their spot in the top six.
The Reds’ 1-1 draw with Brisbane Roar last time out means they’ve now gone four games without a win, prompting head coach Carl Veart to criticise his side’s attitude whilst also questioning their ability to perform at home.
A positive though is the fact the Reds welcome a faltering Macarthur Bulls side to Coopers Stadium.
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After losing the likes of Valere Germain, Jed Drew, Ariath Piol and Ollie Jones in the mid-season transfer window the Bulls’ form has taken a sharp nosedive and they now find themselves six points outside the top six with six games left to go.
Mile Sterjovski’s side were beaten 2-1 by Adelaide at home when they last met thanks to a dramatic late goal from Luka Jovanovic, although they have won five of the last 10 meetings between these two sides.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Melbourne Victory
Saturday, March 15 – CommBank Stadium – 7:30pm AEDT
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We’re all set for a mouth-watering showdown on Saturday night as sixth-placed Western Sydney Wanderers welcome fourth-placed Melbourne Victory to CommBank Stadium.
Western Sydney head into this clash as one of the form teams in the competition having won four of their last five matches and know a win over their top six rivals could see them finish the round as high as third depending on results elsewhere.
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As for rivals Victory, Arthur Diles’ side travel to New South Wales having most recently swept aside reigning Isuzu UTE A-League champions Central Coast Mariners 3-0 in what was an impressive attacking display from the 2023-24 Grand Finalists.
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Furthermore, Victory are currently on a four-game unbeaten run (2W, 2D) and have kept two clean sheets during that period – although that is sure to be tested when they face a Wanderers side which is currently the highest scoring team (43 goals) in the division.
The most recent clash between these two sides ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw at AAMI Park but it’s the Wanderers who boast the better recent record, winning six of the last 10 meetings.
Perth Glory v Brisbane Roar
Saturday, March 15 – HBF Park – 9:45pm AEDT
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Perth Glory will be looking to put some much needed breathing space between themselves and bottom side Brisbane Roar when the two teams meet on Saturday night.
The home side will head into the clash with fresh legs and minds after having the bye last weekend but if they’re to avoid picking up a second consecutive wooden spoon then they’ll need to urgently address their poor run of form which has seen them lose four and draw three of their last seven games.
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With 11 points from 20 games, Perth currently sit three points clear of bottom-placed Brisbane however the visitors know a win would see them swap places with the men from Western Australia given their far superior goal difference of -17 compared to Perth’s -32.
Whilst the Queenslanders still have just one win to their names this season their form line does make for better reading given they’ve drawn three of their last four matches and a huge positive for Brisbane is the fact they also have two games in hand over their opponents.
Auckland FC v Central Coast Mariners
Sunday, March 16 – Go Media Stadium – 3pm AEDT
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Although unbeaten in eight matches, table-toppers Auckland FC head into Sunday afternoon’s clash with Central Coast Mariners looking to get back to winning ways.
Back-to-back draws against Adelaide United and Newcastle Jets respectively has seen Auckland’s lead at the top cut to just six points, with Steve Corica’s side conceding five goals in the space of two games in a surprise turn away from their usual defensive solidity.
However, if the New Zealanders are feeling the heat from Western United then they have the chance to put some pressure back on their rivals given they kick-off before John Aloisi’s side play their Round 23 fixture.
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If they are to win the game though they’ll have to do so without the influence of midfielder Louis Verstraete and key defender Nando Pijnaker. The former will serve a one-game ban following his red card against Newcastle while Pijnakaer is also out for one match after collecting five yellow cards.
As for the Mariners, Mark Jackson’s reigning champions head to New Zealand in desperate form having lost their last five matches in all competitions whilst their run without a win now stands at nine games.
The Mariners currently sit 10th on the ladder, 10 points outside the top six and have also recorded nine draws this season – more than any other club.
Newcastle Jets v Western United
Sunday, March 16 – McDonald Jones Stadium – 5pm AEDT
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Newcastle Jets are on a roll; Wednesday night’s shock 1-0 win over Melbourne City not only saw them beat their opponents in Melbourne for the first time in 10 years but also move to within six points of the finals positions.
Now unbeaten in seven games for the first time since 2005, the Jets will fancy their chances of going toe-to-toe against Western given four of the five teams they’ve faced in recent weeks have all been current members of the top six, against whom they’ve picked up 10 points.
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As for Western, Aloisi’s side remain one of the form teams in the Isuzu UTE A-League this season and they’ll be hoping their run of three straight victories can become four on Sunday.
With Noah Botic currently leading the race for the Golden Boot with 10, Western have a reliable source of goals in the final third, however the side is now firing on all cylinders having bagged 10 goals in those three matches.
Western won the most recent clash between the two sides 3-1 at Ironbark Fields and have enjoyed more success than the Jets in their recent match-ups having won six of the last 10 meetings.
Sydney FC v Wellington Phoenix
Sunday, March 16 – Allianz Stadium – 7m AEDT
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The last match of Round 23 sees Sydney FC welcome slumping Wellington Phoenix to Allianz Stadium in a game that could prove to be crucial in their push to secure finals football.
Currently seventh in the standings and two points outside the top six, the Sky Blues could find themselves four points off the pace come kick-off on Sunday night should rivals Western Sydney defeat Melbourne Victory.
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Furthermore, Ufuk Talay’s side are currently on a seven-match unbeaten streak in all competitions and have kept three clean sheets in a row, however they do head into this game off the back of their midweek AFC Champions League Two quarter-final second leg against K League 1 side Jeonbuk Motors.
For Wellington Phoenix, Giancarlo Italiano’s side arrive in the Harbour City with little left to play for this season apart from pride.
The 11th-placed Nix are currently 12 points outside the finals position and have lost four of their last five matches. To make matters worse the Nix have scored just six goals in their last 10 games.
