Game-by-game preview: What you need to know for Round 13 of the Ninja A-League

The Ninja A-League continues this weekend and aleagues.com.au has everything you need to know ahead of Round 13 of the 2024-25 season.

Read on for a game-by-game preview ahead of Round 13.

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Melbourne Victory v Sydney FC

Friday, January 24 – AAMI Park – 4:50pm AEDT

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What better way to start Round 13 than with a Big Blue at AAMI Park?!

High-flying Melbourne Victory play host to two-time reigning champions Sydney FC in a blockbuster showdown that serves as a double-header on Friday night.

Victory are second and just two points behind rivals Melbourne City having lost just one of their past 10 matches since November.

As for Sydney, they are now ninth in the table and seven points outside of the top six amid a four-match unbeaten streak, though they did lose to Victory the last time the two teams met in December.

Western Sydney Wanderers v Melbourne City

Saturday, January 25 – Wanderers Football Park – 5:00pm AEDT

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Can Melbourne City continue their unbeaten season?

The reigning premiers are yet to lose any of their 12 matches in 2024-25 following last week’s draw at Western United as Holly McNamara works her way back to full fitness after returning from a third ACL injury.

City will fancy their chances against lowly Western Sydney Wanderers, who are three points adrift at the foot of the table heading into Saturday’s contest.

While the Wanderers are in the midst of a six-game winless run – including three straight losses, they have won their past two home fixtures against City.

Adelaide United v Western United

Saturday, January 25 – Marden Sports Complex – 5:30pm AEDT

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Adelaide United are one of the most in-form teams in the Ninja A-League as they prepare to entertain Western United on Saturday evening.

The Reds, who missed the finals in 2023-24, are third in the table and just four points off the pace after upstaging high-flying Brisbane Roar last week, four points better off than sixth-placed Western United who dismantled Perth Glory 4-1 during the week.

Adelaide are five games without defeat but they will need to make history if they are to topple Chloe Logarzo and Co. this weekend.

The Reds have never beaten Western since the Green and Black entered the competition in 2022-23, losing all three matchups.

Newcastle Jets v Canberra United

Saturday, January 25 – McDonald Jones Stadium – 7:45pm AEDT

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Newcastle Jets need a win. Will they get it against a resurgent Canberra United on Saturday night?

Semi-Finalists last season, the Jets find themselves 10th in the standings and eight points outside of the top six following six matches without a win, which includes a 6-1 loss to Brisbane Roar and a 98th-minute defeat to Wellington Phoenix last time out.

As for Canberra, the capital club are knocking on the door of the six. They are one point behind Western United having lost just one of their past six matches. Last week, they won without legendary striker Michelle Heyman.

December’s meeting ended 0-0 between Newcastle and Canberra, though this fixture has always delivered goals. In the last six clashes, the results have been 3-3, 4-3 (Jets), 3-0 (Canberra), 5-1 (Canberra), 3-0 (Canberra), 3-3.

Central Coast Mariners v Wellington Phoenix

Sunday, January 26 – Woy Woy Oval – 5:00pm AEDT

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Wellington Phoenix are on the rise. So much so, they could potentially end the weekend inside the top four.

The high-flying Phoenix are fifth, two points outside the top four and seven points adrift of Melbourne City thanks to a run of four wins in five matches.

Central Coast Mariners, though, are within two points of Sunday’s opponents. The 2023-24 semi-finalists have lost only one of their last five fixtures (W2 D2).

There have only ever been two previous meetings between the Mariners and Phoenix. Central Coast have won both.

Perth Glory v Brisbane Roar

Sunday, January 26 – Sam Kerr Football Centre – 8:00pm AEDT

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Brisbane Roar will be out to end their stuttering form when they visit Perth Glory on Sunday night.

A month ago, the Roar were on the verge of going top of the table but they now find themselves fourth and five points off the pace. Why? They have lost three of their past four games after crushing Western United 8-2 at the end of December.

They have the chance to return to winning ways against lowly Perth, who are second from bottom amid a six-game winless run.