The Isuzu UTE A-League is back this weekend and aleagues.com.au has everything you need to know ahead of Round 25 of the 2024-25 season.
Read on for a game-by-game preview ahead of Round 25.
*Bye: Melbourne Victory
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE
Brisbane Roar v Macarthur Bulls
Friday, 4th March – Suncorp Stadium – 7:35pm AEDT
MATCH CENTRE | BUY TICKETS | HOW TO WATCH
Brisbane Roar head into Friday night’s clash at Suncorp Stadium hoping to finally end their hometown hoodoo and secure a win on their own turf for the first time in more than a year.
Without a win at Suncorp Stadium since March 2024, the Roar were beaten 2-0 at home by Auckland FC last time out but remain ahead of bottom side Perth Glory on goal difference.
Whilst their main goal is to finish as high up the ladder as possible, avoiding a first-ever wooden spoon is no doubt a priority for the side and their chances of doing so will be greatly improved if they keep a first clean sheet of the season.
TALKING POINTS: Journeyman striker’s brilliant night 8 years in the making: Made With Mitre Moments
As for the Bulls, Mile Sterjovski’s side have certainly been amongst the goals of late following their recent 5-4 win over Adelaide and subsequent 3-3 draw with Newcastle Jets.
Sat four points outside the finals places with four matches left to go, the Bulls will likely view this clash at Suncorp Stadium as a must-win if they’re to qualify for the finals.
Key to their hopes of victory in Queensland could well be striker Harrison Sawyer, who will be full of confidence having bagged his first two goals in the Isuzu UTE A-League last week.
Auckland FC v Western Sydney Wanderers
Saturday, 5th March – Go Media Stadium – 3pm AEDT
MATCH CENTRE | BUY TICKETS | HOW TO WATCH
Table toppers Auckland FC head into Saturday’s clash with Western Sydney knowing a win could potentially move them 10 points clear at the top come the end of the round.
After ending their three-game winless run last weekend with a 2-0 victory against Brisbane, Steve Corica’s side have the advantage of playing before both Western United and Melbourne City, the two sides trying desperately to close the gap on the Isuzu UTE A-League’s newest outfit.
Whilst they will no doubt be wary of the goalscoring prowess of this weekend’s visitors, Auckland have fond memories of the last time these two sides met; a 1-0 win at CommBank Stadium thanks to winger Neyder Moreno’s 95th-minute winner.
GOLDEN GUNS: Historic season for young Aussies threatens 14-year A-Leagues record & unmatched 2014 feat
As for Alen Stajcic’s side, the Wanderers saw their five-game winning streak come to an end last time out after they were forced to salvage a 2-2 draw away to Wellington Phoenix.
Nicolas Milanovic’s 89th-minute equaliser took his personal tally to 10 goals for the season; he now sits just one goal behind Western United’s Noah Botic (11) at the top of the Golden Boot chart.
Should the Wanderers become just the second away team to win at Go Media Stadium this weekend, they could potentially finish the round in second place.
Melbourne City v Central Coast Mariners
Saturday, 5th March – AAMI Park – 5pm AEDT
MATCH CENTRE | BUY TICKETS | HOW TO WATCH
Fresh off their impressive 3-2 away win over Sydney FC, Melbourne City host reigning Champions Central Coast Mariners at AAMI Park on Saturday evening.
A win for City could see them finish the round as high as second on the ladder and potentially just five points behind top side Auckland FC, with four games left to play should other results go their way this weekend.
Head coach Aurelio Vidmar will have midfielder Steven Ugarkovic back for the clash with the Mariners, whilst he’ll also be hoping star Mathew Leckie has recovered from the calf issue that saw him miss the game against Sydney FC.
CORRECT CALL: Refs chief explains why Melbourne Victory penalty call was correct despite ‘red herring’
As for the Mariners, Mark Jackson’s side put and end to their 11-game winless run in all competitions by beating Perth Glory 3-1 last weekend.
Goals from Alou Kuol, Mikael Doka and Christian Theoharous secured a morale-boosting three points for the Mariners who sit tenth on the ladder and eight points outside the top six.
Jackson will continue to be without young star Haine Eames who is away on international duty with the Joeys at the AFC U17 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Melbourne City will be hoping to end a barren run in this fixture, which has seen them go six games against the Mariners without a win – that 1-0 victory coming back in December 2022.
Western United v Perth Glory
Saturday, 5th March – Ironbark Fields – 6pm AEDT
MATCH CENTRE | BUY TICKETS | HOW TO WATCH
After a Round 24 bye, Western United are back in action in Round 25 with a home clash against bottom side Perth Glory.
Still second on the ladder with four-straight wins under their belts, John Aloisi’s side will be confident of getting a fifth win in a row that will guarantee them second spot come the end of the round.
With Noah Botic in fine form and leading the race for the golden boot with 11 goals to his name, Western certainly have the firepower to cause any side problems at present.
As for Perth Glory, David Zdrilic’s side slumped to their 15th loss of the season last weekend when they were beaten 3-1 by Central Coast Mariners.
GOLDEN GUNS: Historic season for young Aussies threatens 14-year A-Leagues record & unmatched 2014 feat
Propping up the ladder and sitting last behind Brisbane Roar on goal difference, Perth are now desperate for points in order to avoid a second-consecutive wooden spoon.
Unfortunately for Glory fans though, the recent form guide between these two sides doesn’t make for good reading, given Western United have won the last six meetings.
Adelaide United v Sydney FC
Saturday, 5th March – Coopers Stadium – 7:35pm AEDT
MATCH CENTRE | BUY TICKETS | HOW TO WATCH
Saturday night sees a huge fixture in the race for the top six take place at Coopers Stadium as Adelaide United host Sydney FC.
Currently occupying sixth spot on the ladder, Adelaide United have been nervously looking over their shoulders for almost two months now having not picked up a win in their last six matches.
Most recently beaten 5-3 by Melbourne Victory in the Original Rivalry, Carl Veart’s side have lost four of their last six matches, conceding a worryingly high 20 goals during that period, whilst they’ll also have to deal with reports emerging this week suggesting the head coach could be moved on come season’s end.
WONDERKID WATCH: New era for proven A-Leagues pipeline begins with 17-minute scoring spree
Sat in seventh, Sydney FC head to Coopers Stadium within striking distance of the Reds and know a win in South Australia will see them leapfrog Adelaide by virtue of a far superior goal difference.
Furthermore, Sydney FC will be confident of scoring goals against a leaky Adelaide outfit given they’ve scored seven in their last two meetings against the Reds.
Newcastle Jets v Wellington Phoenix
Sunday, 6th March – McDonald Jones Stadium – 5pm AEDT
MATCH CENTRE | BUY TICKETS | HOW TO WATCH
Currently sitting ninth on the ladder, the Jets’ late push for a finals berth has been derailed in recent weeks following a loss and a draw against Western United and Newcastle Jets respectively.
Seven points outside the top six, the Jets will most likely feel as though they will have to win all of their five remaining matches, starting with this weekend’s clash against the lowly ‘Nix.
However, with the likes of Eli Adams and Lachie Rose fit and firing, and Japanese ace Kota Mizunuma potentially back to full fitness, they’ll believe they can beat any side.
BOOK OF ELI: Telling stat as young gun proves coach right amid career-best season
As for the opposition, Wellington Phoenix head to the Hunter Valley without a win in their last eight matches, although they will be somewhat buoyed by the fact they gained points from their recent clashes against Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers respectively.
Key to their recent improvement in form has been Portuguese loan signing Francisco ‘Chico’ Geralde, who bagged his first goal for the club during their recent 2-2 draw at Sky Stadium against the free-scoring Wanderers.
In terms of the recent meetings between these two sides it’s been fairly even; Wellington winning five of the last 10 clashes, with the Jets winning four.
