The Isuzu UTE A-League 2025-26 season rolls on and aleagues.com.au has everything you need to know ahead of Round 12.
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Brisbane Roar v Auckland FC
Friday, January 9 – Suncorp Stadium – 7:35pm AEDT
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Current table position
Brisbane Roar: 4th
Auckland FC: 1st
Round 11 result
Brisbane Roar: 3-0 loss to Wellington Phoenix (H), 1-0 loss to Melbourne City (A)
Auckland FC: 3-1 loss to Newcastle Jets (H), 1-1 draw with Macarthur (A)
After a promising start to the season, Brisbane’s physical game style has met the challenge of four matches in 10 days. Having lost the middle two matches, the Roar get to end their busy run against the table topping Auckland FC.
Auckland themselves have had a tough week, first losing to Newcastle, then being held to a draw by Macarthur FC.
With two goalless matches in a row to start 2026, Brisbane will be looking to strikers Chris Long and Justin Vidić to get them on the scoresheet for the first time this year.
Auckland’s Louis Verstrate bounced back after a quiet game against Newcastle to dominate the pitch against Macarthur, the Belgian midfielder covering crucial ground in both attack and defence.
These sides met in Round 5, playing out a 1-1 draw, with Lachlan Brook and Vidić the goalscorers at Go Media Stadium.
Melbourne Victory v Western Sydney Wanderers
Saturday, January 10 – AAMI Park – 5:00pm AEDT
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Current table position
Melbourne Victory: 6th
Western Sydney Wanderers: 12th
Round 11 result
Melbourne Victory: 3-2 win over Perth Glory
Western Sydney Wanderers: 1-0 loss to Macarthur FC
Melbourne Victory are running hot at the moment, winning their last four matches. Western Sydney Wanderers however, are winless from their last five matches and are languishing in last place.
An interesting subplot to this one will be Spanish star Juan Mata’s first match against the Wanderers since moving across to Victory. Mata and Louis D’Arrigo coming into the starting side has completely reset Melbourne Victory’s midfield, allowing much more creativity in attack in recent weeks.
The Wanderers head into the weekend sat last on the ladder and in desperate need of a win having managed just two victories so far this season.
Alen Stajcic will be looking to his experienced leaders like Lawrence Thomas, Kosta Barbarouses and Josh Brillante to steady the side on the park.
Macarthur FC v Sydney FC
Saturday, January 10 – Campbelltown Sports Stadium – 7:35pm AEDT
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Current table position
Macarthur FC: 3rd
Sydney FC: 2nd
Round 11 result
Macarthur FC: 1-1 draw against Auckland FC (H)
Sydney FC: 0-0 draw against Melbourne City (A)
Macarthur have been on a roll of late, undefeated in all competitions since November. While Sydney have been stuttering after their impressive start to the season.
Both sides came away from last round with important draws, Macarthur against league leaders Auckland FC and Sydney away from home against an inconsistent yet good-on-their-day Melbourne City.
Central defender Tomislav Uškok kept up his streak of scoring at least one goal every season since 2019/20 when he nodded home Macarthur’s equaliser against Auckland. The Bulls’ variety in scorers has become a strength of theirs this season, with eight different players finding the back of the net.
Sydney goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares was the best player on the pitch in their 0-0 draw, making nine saves on the way to his fifth clean sheet for the season.
Sydney took a 2-0 victory when these sides met in round 4.
Perth Glory v Central Coast Mariners
Saturday, January 10 – HBF Park – 9:45pm AEDT
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Current table position
Perth Glory: 10th
Central Coast Mariners: 11th
Round 11 result
Perth Glory: 3-2 loss to Melbourne Victory (A)
Central Coast Mariners: 4-0 win over Adelaide United (A)
Perth were disappointed to lose to Melbourne Victory, having played well and held the lead for most of the first half. Central Coast were in complete control as they dismantled Adelaide to win 4-0.
Rhys Bozinovski has been growing into a creative force at the base of midfield, creating six chances and two assists so far this season.
Central Coast’s young attackers enjoyed their evening against a struggling Adelaide defence, scoring the first three of their four goals inside 22 minutes. Wingers Bailey Brandtman and Miguel Di Pizio starring with a goal and an assist each.
Brandtman was the lone scorer in the Mariners 1-0 win over the Glory when these teams played each other in round 4.
Wellington Phoenix v Adelaide United
Sunday, January 11 – Sky Stadium – 1:00pm AEDT
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Current table position
Wellington Phoenix: 9th
Adelaide United: 8th
Round 11 result
Wellington Phoenix: 3-0 win over Brisbane Roar (A)
Adelaide United: 4-0 loss to Central Coast Mariners (H)
These sides come into this match off the back of very contrasting results in Round 11. Going down to 10 men couldn’t stop Wellington as they ran over Brisbane 3-0, while nothing went right for Adelaide in a 4-0 loss to Central Coast.
It was a much improved performance from Wellington keeper Eamonn McCarron, who repaid Giancarlo Italiano’s faith in him with five saves and a clean sheet.
In attack for Wellington, Ifeanyi Eze and Kazuki Nagasawa have been their major threats, with five goals and two goals and three assists respectively.
Adelaide United have been depleted the most by the AFC U23 Asian Cup, with Luka Jovanović, Yaya Dukuly and Ethan Alagich all away until at least round 14.
Even then, manager Airton Andriolli will be expecting a bounce back from his senior players, while the young side look to find some consistency.
Melbourne City v Newcastle Jets
Sunday, January 11 – AAMI Park – 5:00pm AEDT
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Current table position
Melbourne City: 5th
Newcastle Jets: 7th
Round 11 result
Melbourne City: 0-0 draw against Sydney FC (H), 1-0 win over Brisbane Roar (H)
Newcastle Jets: 3-1 win over Auckland FC (A)
Both Melbourne City and Newcastle have had good results this week. First, City held second placed Sydney to a draw and then took a win over fourth placed Brisbane Roar.
Newcastle did bring three points back from Auckland, but it did come at a cost with both Alex Badolato and Christian Bracco damaging their ACLs and subsequently ruled out for the season.
Young winger Will Dobson’s role in the side is set to become more important in Badolato’s absence. Dobson came on for Badolato and scored just 10 minutes later to give Newcastle the lead against Auckland.
The big plus for City heading into this one is the fact talented young striker Max Caputo ended his seven-game goal drought in the Isuzu UTE A-League by scoring the winner against Brisbane Roar on Tuesday night.
Argentinian central defender Germán Ferreyra has also been key to City’s strong defensive run, winning 13 out of 21 duels while contributing 15 clearances in the last three matches.
Melbourne City won the round 7 contest against Newcastle 1-0. Kavian Rahmani the scorer.
