The Isuzu UTE A-League is back this weekend and aleagues.com.au has everything you need to know ahead of Round 24 of the 2024-25 season.
Read on for a game-by-game preview ahead of Round 24.
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Macarthur Bulls v Newcastle Jets
Friday March 28 – Campbelltown Sports Stadium – 7:35pm AEDT
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Friday night sees two finals hopefuls go head-to-head in Campbelltown as Macarthur Bulls host Newcastle Jets in a crucial clash which will also see Bulls captain Luke Brattan play his 300th Isuzu UTE A-League game.
Currently sat eighth on the ladder and five points outside the top six, the Bulls need to build on their stunning 5-4 away win over Adelaide last time out in order to muscle their way back into finals contention.
In what is the first of five games left to play this season, Mile Sterjovski’s side can move to within two points of sixth-placed Adelaide but will need a few favours from elsewhere if they are to remain in the hunt.
As for the Jets, Rob Stanton’s side had built up a head of steam as they made a late charge towards the finals however, their momentum appears to have abandoned them at the key moment.
Currently sat one place below the Bulls in ninth, the Jets suffered a heavy 6-2 loss to Western United last time out which leaves them eight points outside the finals, albeit with six games left to play in the regular season.
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Wellington Phoenix v Western Sydney Wanderers
Saturday March 29 – Sky Stadium – 3pm AEDT
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Wellington Phoenix head into their Round 24 clash with the Wanderers sat 11th on the ladder, without a win in seven matches and 13 points outside the finals picture.
That said, their 1-1 away draw with Sydney FC last time out will give head coach Giancarlo Italiano a small boost in confidence heading into what will no doubt be another difficult game against a Wanderers side looking to close the gap on second-placed Western United.
Having played last time out against Sydney FC, goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi is now set to end the season back between the sticks after young shot-stopper Alby Kelly-Heald had his campaign cut short due to injury.
Meanwhile, the Wanderers head across the ditch looking to make it five wins in a row and continue their red-hot goalscoring form.
With 47 goals to their names Alen Stajcic’s side have already broken their record for most goals scored in a regular season and they still have six matches left to play.
The Wanderers will have to manage a few tired legs though with Brandon Borrello returning from Socceroos duty in China, while young defenders Anthony Pantazopoulos And Aidan Simmons plus winger Aydan Hammond have been in Qatar with the Olyroos.
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Sydney FC v Melbourne City
Saturday March 29 – Allianz Stadium – 5pm AEDT
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Sydney FC host Melbourne City in a mouthwatering clash at Allianz Stadium on Saturday afternoon in a game that could prove to be pivotal in the race to make finals.
Currently sat seventh on the ladder, Sydney FC are three points behind sixth-placed Adelaide United after they failed to pick up maximum points against Wellington Phoenix last time out and will know that failure to beat City on Saturday leaves them with an uphill battle when it comes to paying finals football.
Sky Blues boss Ufuk Talay will be hoping midfielder Antony Caceres and defender Alex Grant pull up okay following international duty with the Socceroos as they begin a period which sees them play five of the current top six in their remaining matches.
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As for Melbourne City, Aurelio Vidmar’s side sit four points ahead of Sydney FC in fourth and know that a win at Allianz Stadium could see them finish the round in third place.
Potentially crucial to any positive result in the Harbour City is in-form winger Marco Tilio of whom Vidmar will be hoping is fit and firing having recently travelled to China with the Socceroos only to be left out of the matchday squad.
Whilst this is the first meeting between these two sides this season, the visitors have the better recent record having won six of their last 10 league encounters.
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Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United
Saturday March 29 – AAMI Park – 7:35pm AEDT
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This weekend’s Original Rivalry takes centre stage on Saturday night as two sides desperately searching a win meet at AAMI Park.
Melbourne Victory head into the clash off the back of an international break where wingers Nishan Velupillay and Daniel Arzani both featured for the Socceroos, with the former scoring against both Indonesia and China.
Despite leading 2-0 against Western Sydney Wanderers last time out, Arthur Diles’ side were beaten 4-2 at CommBank Stadium, with the result leaving them in fifth spot, level with the Reds in sixth on 33 points.
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However, a positive for Diles’ side is the fact they’ve only suffered one defeat in their last five matches and are certainly full of confidence compared to this weekend’s visitors.
Adelaide arrive at AAMI Park having suffered a gut-wrenching 5-4 loss at home to Macarthur Bulls last time out, a result which leaves them nervously looking over their shoulders at the chasing finals pack.
Without a win in five, Adelaide could also find themselves outside of the top six come the end of the round should they lose and Sydney FC defeat Melbourne City.
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Central Coast Mariners v Perth Glory
Sunday March 30 – Industree Group Stadium – 3pm AEDT
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The Central Coast Mariners head into Sunday’s home clash against Perth Glory no doubt buoyed by their impressive fightback against Auckland FC last time out.
Trailing on two occasions, Mark Jackson’s reigning Champions twice fought back to seal a point at one of the league’s toughest venues and while they are without a win in eight league games, the Mariners showed plenty of spirit in New Zealand.
In the away dugout on Sunday will be Glory coach David Zdrilic, who arrives in Gosford at a low ebb following their 3-1 home defeat to Brisbane Roar.
Now sat dead last on the ladder having played two more games than Brisbane, Perth are desperately searching for a win which will help them in their quest to avoid a second consecutive wooden spoon.
Intriguingly, striker Adam Taggart has been named in the extended squad for the Glory despite being forced to leave Socceroos camp after suffering a groin injury.
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Brisbane Roar v Auckland FC
Sunday March 30 – Suncorp Stadium – 5pm AEDT
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Brisbane Roar head into Sunday’s clash with Auckland FC looking to bag their first home victory at Suncorp Stadium in over a year having last secured three points on home soil in March 2024.
Buoyed by their recent 3-1 away win over Perth Glory, Ruben Zadkovich’s team have now moved off the foot of the ladder for the first time since Round 1 and will be aiming to stay there as they bid to avoid a first wooden spoon.
Standing in their way in Queensland though, will be league leaders Auckland FC, who head to Brisbane off the back of three-straight draws.
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Twice letting a lead slip against the Mariners to draw 2-2, Auckland have failed to pick up a win since their 6-1 demolition against Wellington Phoenix on February 22 and have now seen their lead at the top cut to just four points.
However, Steve Corica’s side know that a win over the Roar this weekend will put a seven point gap between themselves and the chasing pack given Western United do now play in Round 24.
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