Follow all the action across the A-Leagues with TWO cracking clashes to look forward to in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
Tune in throughout the day as aleagues.com.au provides a one-stop-shop for all the goals, analysis and match highlights.
At 5pm (AEDT) third hosts second in a mouthwatering clash at AAMI Park as Melbourne Victory face Central Coast Mariners, with both sides fighting to secure second spot on the ladder.
Meanwhile at McDonald Jones Stadium Newcastle Jets host Macarthur FC at 5pm (AEDT) with the Bulls looking to potentially move into third spot on the ladder after their disappointing AFC Cup exit in midweek.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE A-LEAGUES LIVE ON PARAMOUNT+
MATCHDAY AGENDA
Melbourne Victory v Central Coast Mariners – 5pm (AEDT)
Buoyed by their dramatic late win over Western United on Tuesday night Melbourne Victory know a win against a direct rival in the Mariners will help them move back to within three points of league leaders Wellington.
Tony Popovic’s side have certainly been the dominant team in this fixture at AAMI Park, winning 12 and drawing two of their last 14 matches against the Mariners at their home venue.
Mark Jackson’s Mariners arrive in Victoria off the back of their dramatic late win over fellow Isuzu UTE A-League side Macarthur FC in the ASEAN Zone Final of the AFC Cup, meaning the boss could well rotate his young side.
In terms of league form, the Mariners have suffered just one loss in 17 visits to Victoria having suffered just one defeat in their last 14 A-League matches, picking up nine wins during that run.
FORM LINE (LAST FIVE GAMES)
- Melbourne Victory: D – D – L – D – W
- Central Coast Mariners: W – W – D – L – W
MATCH CENTRE: Click here for stats, updates, videos and more
Newcastle Jets v Macarthur FC – 5pm (AEDT)
The Jets come into this game sat second last on the ladder and with just one win from their last five matches in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
Last weekend’s 2-0 loss to Western United coupled with other results this round means they’re now nine points outside the finals places and with games to come against two of the league’s form sides in Macarthur and Central Coast, if the Jets do make a late push for finals then it needs to start now.
The good news is Newcastle are undefeated in their last three matches against the Bulls (W2, D1) and would have beaten them last time out were it not for a 99th minute equaliser from Valere Germain.
The bad news though is they’ve found themselves behind at half time in their last two matches at McDonald Jones Stadium and that’s something they will want to figure out coming into this game given they face the league’s second most potent attack.
Macarthur head into the contest off the back of their agonising AFC Cup ASEAN Zone Final defeat to Central Coast Mariners and Mile Sterjovski is likely to rotate his squad given they played 120 minutes just four days ago.
The Bulls’ seven game unbeaten run in the league came to an end last weekend when they were beaten 2-1 at home by Wellington.
However Mile Sterjovski’s side are unbeaten in their last four matches away from Campbelltown Sports Stadium, winning their last two, and a third consecutive away win would equal a club record.
FORM LINE (LAST FIVE GAMES)
- Newcastle Jets: W – L – D – D – L
- Macarthur FC: W – D – W – W – L
