The Ninja A-League is back this weekend and aleagues.com.au has everything you need to know ahead of Round 21 of the 2024-25 season.
Read on for a game-by-game preview ahead of Round 21.
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Western Sydney Wanderers v Sydney FC
Friday, March 28 – Marconi Stadium- 7pm AEDT
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Friday night’s Sydney Derby clash at Marconi Stadium has a somewhat different feel this season as we see 12th host 11th in a bottom of the ladder clash.
Coming into the game off the back of their 1-0 away loss to Perth Glory, the Wanderers are stranded at the bottom of the table following back-to-back losses and they now sit four points behind rivals Sydney.
One boost for the home side though is the fact reigning Julie Dolan Medallist Sophie Harding made her long-awaited return to the side last time out, having not played since the end of January due to a hip injury.
As for the visitors, whilst their hopes of playing finals football are still mathematically alive, Ante Juric and Co will be focusing on the fact that a third-straight win in the Ninja A-League will likely be enough to see them avoid the dreaded wooden spoon.
Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United
Saturday, March 29 – AAMI Park – 4:50pm AEDT
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In the first game of what is an Original Rivalry double-header across both the Ninja A-League and Isuzu UTE A-League, Melbourne Victory will be aiming to close the gap on league leaders Melbourne City back to just two points whilst also extended the space between themselves and the third-placed Reds.
Currently sat second on the ladder, Victory come into the game off the back of four-straight wins in the Ninja A-League following their 4-3 win over Newcastle while striker Emily Gielnik is one goal clear in the race for the Golden Boot (12 goals).
As for Adelaide, Adrian Stenta’s side bounced back from a loss to Melbourne City by dispatching Brisbane Roar last time out and they now sit just two points behind Victory in third.
Still eyeing off a Premiership challenge, a double from Fiona Worts helped Adelaide to a comfortable 3-1 win over the Roar in Round 20 and she now sits third in the race for the Golden Boot despite scoring just one goal in the nine games prior to the win over Brisbane.
Perth Glory v Canberra United
Saturday, March 29 – Sam Kerr Football Centre – 8pm AEDT
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Saturday night under the lights at the Sam Kerr Football Centre promises to be a tight and tense affair between two sides with finals footballs on their minds.
Home side Perth Glory head into the clash sat in ninth spot on the ladder but, crucially, within striking distance of the current top six after defeating the Wanderers 1-0 last weekend.
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Whilst an inferior goal difference means a win over Canberra wouldn’t be enough to see them end the round inside the top six it will see them leapfrog Antoni Jagarinec’s side.
Currently sitting in seventh place, Canberra are on a horrid run of form which has seen them lose their last three matches in a row whilst they also haven’t won in six games now; their last win coming against Perth on February 1.
However, a win this weekend would see them finish the round inside the top six provided Brisbane Roar don’t beat the Mariners on Sunday.
Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne City
Sunday, March 30 – Porirua Park – 2pm AEDT
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With three games left to play this season it’s almost now or never for Wellington Phoenix if they’re to qualify for the Finals Series.
With four losses in their last five games the Nix have stumbled at the worst possible time and currently find themselves sat eighth on the ladder and scrambling to keep pace with the top six.
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To make matters worse for Paul Temple’s side they face the unenviable task of trying to beat league leaders Melbourne City at Porirua Park this weekend, who arrive in New Zealand having dismantled Brisbane Roar 4-0 on Wednesday night.
Now sat five points clear at the top, albeit having played a game more than second-placed Melbourne Victory, City capped will be looking to cap off a brilliant week after both extending their unbeaten record to 20 games whilst also having secured their spot in the AFC Women’s Champions League semi-finals.
Newcastle Jets v Western United
Sunday, March 30 – No.2 Sportsground – 4pm AEDT
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Newcastle Jets need a minor miracle to occur if they’re to play finals football this season but they’ll certainly be doing all they can to make it happen when they face Western United on Sunday.
Whilst they may be sat 10th on the ladder the Jets are only five points outside the top six and know that if they can win all three of their remaining matches then they’ll give themselves a great shot at sneaking into the Finals Series.
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Standing in their way are Western United who are currently sitting pretty in fourth spot having defeated Canberra United 4-3 in their last outing.
Whilst they know a top three finish is out of the question given they sit 10 points behind Adelaide United, Western will be able to tighten their grip on fourth spot should they overcome the Jets on Sunday as they look to secure a home elimination final.
Central Coast Mariners v Brisbane Roar
Sunday, March 30 – Industree Group Stadium – 5:45pm AEDT
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Having broken their five-game winless run, Central Coast Mariners will be hoping to come home with a wet sail when they take on Brisbane Roar on Sunday at Industree Group Stadium.
Defeating Wellington Phoenix 2-0 in a crucial clash last weekend, the Mariners pushed themselves ahead of the Roar and into fifth on the ladder and know a win this weekend will be absolutely crucial to them securing a spot in this season’s finals series.
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Importantly, that 2-0 win over the Nix gave Emily Husband’s side a four-point buffer to seventh placed Canberra United with fixtures against Brisbane Roar (H), Melbourne Victory (H) and Newcastle Jets (A) left for the Mariners this season.
As for Brisbane Roar, well their alarming run of form continued on Wednesday night when they were beaten 4-0 at home by league-leaders Melbourne City.
Now on a run of six games without a win, the Roar have lost their last four matches in a row and are perilously close to slipping out of the top six with just three games to go in the regular season.
