Can the Wanderers keep it going? Will Sydney fall asleep at the wheel again, they’re just some of the big questions heading into round six.
Melbourne Heart v Brisbane Roar
It might seem like we-re missing the point of football, but both these teams need a win and the question might just be who wants it more?
For their part the Heart have at times looked disorganised, are struggling at the back and seem to only play to a structure in patches.
If there is one team who will expose that mercilessly it is the Roar, well the old Roar anyway, the jury is still out on the new Roar, they seem to lack that killer punch they once had and no matter how well they might knock the ball round that matters little if you can-t find the net.
A lack of Besart Berisha won-t help their cause either, the divisive striker scores most of their goals and they will miss him and his passion in a game that needs it.
Wanderers FC v Newcastle Jets
Many pundits, including this one had the A-League-s new boys on the bottom of their predicted 2012/13 ladder, yet here we are five rounds in and the Wanderers are inside the top six and among the most well-organised sides in the competition.
Coach Tony Popovic deserves a lot of credit for their start to the season but if they are to keep it going they will have to nullify a Jets side who are their polar opposite.
The Jets have shown themselves to be a side determined to play free-flowing attacking football and it-s working for them, they present a new challenge to the Wanderers, who will have to be at their best to make it three straight. Can the Wanderers keep it going?
Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory
Who-s learnt more in the last week?
Sydney FC were belted by the Mariners, that-s right the team who no-one seems to think can score put seven past the Sky Blues in what was a lazy and quite frankly pathetic performance from Ian Crook-s side, they weren-t switched on and paid the price.
While Victory won last week, they phoned in the last 45 minutes and the Phoenix very nearly stuck it to them, reeling back two of three Victory goals as Ange-s men fell asleep at the wheel.
Both sides would have received a dressing down and the team who plays 90 minutes will most likely take the three points this weekend.
Wellington Phoenix v Central Coast Mariners
Can Phoenix coax the Mariners out of their shell?
The Mariners have had what seems like their twice-yearly goalscoring feast, Graham Arnold let them off the leash against Sydney FC and they dominated a weak defensive side. Travelling to the Cake-tin likely means that leash will be reapplied as tight as it would be on a Pit Bull Terrier.
In turn that means the onus is on Ricki Herbert-s men to take the game to the visitors, a side who are traditionally stoic in defence, so how do they do that?
Stein Huysegems could be cancelled out by a similar-sized player in Patrick Zwaanswijk, which means the chance to rest control of the game will likely fall to the trio of Jeremy Brockie, Paul Ifill and Louis Fenton, but it is Brockie who has been most impressive since his return to Wellington, he has quality, skill and the happy knack of scoring brilliant goals, he has to be Wellington-s go-to man in this one.
Adelaide Reds v Perth Glory
The two form sides of the league battle it out in this blockbuster, but just what will they do to get the points?
Perth will be physical that is for sure, but sides coached by John Kosmina don-t make a habit of taking a backward step either, while the focus should be on quality football, we expect there might be a little bit of feeling in this one as both teams battle for top spot.
Adding to the matches top billing, both sides welcome back some stars, with the Reds getting Cassio back from illness and Shane Smeltz making his much awaited return to the Glory line-up. In truth either could have a huge impact, so the question remains who is most willing to do what it takes?
