The Ninja A-League is back this weekend and aleagues.com.au has everything you need to know ahead of Round 19 of the 2024-25 season.
Read on for a game-by-game preview ahead of Round 19.
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Western United v Canberra United
Friday, March 14 – Ironbark Fields – 7pm AEDT
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Western United host Canberra United on Friday night in a game that could have huge ramifications on the top-six landscape.
Currently occupying fourth spot on the ladder and with 26 points to their name, Western now head up a five-team group which are all seemingly fighting to secure places fourth-sixth in the standings given the top three teams have opened up a big gap.
A shock 3-0 away loss to Perth Glory last time out did Western little favours in their bid to lock up a spot in the sixth and they now have Brisbane Roar, Central Coast, Canberra and Wellington breathing down their necks.
Antoni Jagarinec’s Canberra missed out on the chance to jump from seventh spot up into third following defeat to Melbourne Victory last time out but know a win against Western could see them leapfrog their opponents on the ladder in what would be a huge psychological boost.
Central Coast Mariners v Perth Glory
Friday, March 14 – Industree Group Stadium – 7pm AEDT
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Kicking off at the same time as Western United versus Canberra are Central Coast Mariners and Perth Glory in a game where Emily Husband’s home side will be hoping to take advantage of their rivals.
The sixth-placed Mariners know that should they secure all three points at home on Friday night and Western draw with Canberra then they will jump into fourth spot.
However, one thing that may well work against the home side is the fact their recent form has been far from impressive given they’ve lost their last three matches in a row.
As for the opposition, Perth Glory head to Industree Group Stadium with a valuable win in the back pocket after defeat Western 3-0 last time out and they too will believe they aren’t done just yet when it comes to finals football.
Sat in ninth, Glory’s second win in the space of three games leaves them sat six points behind the Mariners and a win will not only close the gap on their rivals but also give them a huge confidence boost.
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Sydney FC v Wellington Phoenix
Saturday, March 15 – Leichhardt Oval – 5pm AEDT
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Round 18’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle Jets was the latest low for defending champions Sydney FC in a season which has been one to forget.
Sat dead last on the ladder with just 13 points to their name, the Sky Blues succumbed to a defeat away at Newcastle for the first time since 2017 and they remain without a win on the road since May last year.
As for Wellington Phoenix, Paul Temple’s charges picked up a huge win at Porirua Park last time out to end their run of five matches without a win.
Olivia Fergusson’s late winner against the Wanderers meant the Nix remained in eighth spot on the ladder but, crucially, they now sit just one point behind the Mariners in sixth.
When it comes to previous meetings though, Wellington will be hoping their win earlier in the season is as sign of things to come given Sydney FC have won four of the last six match-ups.
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Melbourne City v Adelaide United
Sunday, March 16 – ctrl:cyber Pitch – 5pm AEDT
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Without question the game of the round takes place at ctrl:cyber Pitch on Sunday as league leaders Melbourne City put their unbeaten record on the line when they face high-flying Adelaide United.
Having equalled the Ninja A-League record of 18 games unbeaten to start a season, Michael Matricciani’s side will now have their ‘invincible’ credentials examined by the in-form Reds in a clash that pits first against third.
With last week’s game against Brisbane Roar postponed due to tropical cyclone Alfred, City’s last competitive fixture came on March 1 when they drew 1-1 with Canberra meaning the side should be well rested ahead of this mouth-watering match-up.
As for Adelaide United, Adrian Stenta’s side are aiming to complete a remarkable turnaround which would potentially see them go from wooden-spooners to premiers in the space of 12 months.
Sat third on the ladder and just four points behind City, the Reds have now gone 11 games unbeaten since suffering a 3-1 loss to City on December 20 and have won eight of those matches.
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Brisbane Roar v Newcastle Jets
Sunday, March 16 – Perry Park – 6:30pm AEDT
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Rounding out Round 19 in the Ninja A-League are two sides who could really do with a win when it comes to playing finals football.
Home side Brisbane Roar come into the game having not played last weekend due to adverse weather conditions in Queensland meaning it’s been over six weeks since they last tasted victory.
That 1-0 win over Wellington on February 2 was the sole victory recorded by Alex Smith’s side in their last eight matches and while they currently sit fifth on the ladder, they’re only a point ahead of seventh placed Canberra.
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As for the visitors, Newcastle Jets come into the clash full of confidence having won back-to-back matches in the Ninja A-League.
Sat 10th on the ladder the Jets are currently seven points behind the top six but know a win over a confidence-stricken Brisbane would catapult them right into finals contention, albeit with four games left to play against teams who are all currently in the top six.
