We’re heading into the first of the Split Rounds in the Hyundai A-League 2018/19 Season, with the five matches for Round 21 to be played over the next two weekends.
The Split Rounds are designed to help the Hyundai A-League teams competing in this year’s AFC Champions League – Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC – with both involved in matches this weekend ahead of the start of their ACL campaigns.
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While there’s just the three games this weekend, all of them have a significant bearing on the race for the top six, top four and Premiers’ Plate.
Read on to find out how to watch all of this weekend’s Hyundai A-League action!
Viewers from outside Australia can CLICK HERE to find out how to watch the fixtures.
Sydney FC v Adelaide United
Friday, 7.50pm (AEDT)
Sydney FC’s hopes of landing a third straight Premiership appeared to disappear after picking up just one point in back-to-back games against the competition’s bottom two clubs.
But things can change quickly in the Hyundai A-League and Saturday’s 1-0 win over Wellington Phoenix – coupled with Perth Glory’s 1-1 draw with Western Sydney – and the Sky Blues are back in the hunt.
While Steve Corica’s men are still eight points off the top, they are now the closest challengers to Glory’s quest for the year’s first bit of silverware.
The Reds will provide a stern test for Sydney FC as they look to consolidate their spot in the top four.
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While Marco Kurz has a bit of an injury problem in defence, they still managed to keep a clean sheet in their goalless draw with Newcastle Jets on Sunday.
Sydney prevailed 2-1 over Adelaide in their most recent meeting this season thanks to an incredible save in stoppage-time by keeper Andrew Redmayne.
It promises to be just as close at Leichhardt Oval on Friday night.
How to watch: Tune in to FOX SPORTS 505 to catch Sydney FC’s home clash against the Reds in a rematch of last year’s FFA Cup decider, which kicks off at 7:50pm (AEDT). You can also stream it live on the MyFootball Live App, while you can also subscribe to Kayo Sports.
Melbourne Victory v Newcastle Jets
Friday, 7.50pm (AEDT)
Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium plays host to a replay of last season’s Grand Final as Melbourne Victory will look to dent Newcastle Jets’ finals hopes by taking maximum points on Saturday night.
Victory come into this clash off the back of a courageous 1-1 draw against crosstown rivals Melbourne City on Saturday night, despite playing 75 minutes with 10 men.
While they weren’t at their fluent best, it was the type of ‘roll-up-the-sleeves’ display that can give a team confidence heading towards the business end of the season.
The Jets are already at that stage of their campaign after Sunday’s 0-0 draw against Adelaide United.
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While it extended their unbeaten run to four games, there’s still a five-point gap between themselves and the top six.
It means anything less than a win in this one will make life difficult for the Hunter club to play finals football for a second straight season.
There’s a healthy rivalry brewing between these two clubs, while respective coach’s Kevin Muscat and Ernie Merrick’s often frosty relationship makes this a must-see clash.
How to watch: See if the Jets can keep their finals hopes alive when they take on Victory in Geelong LIVE and FREE on 10 Bold or tenplay, and on FOX SPORTS 505, with kick off at 7:50pm (AEDT). You can also stream it live on the MyFootball Live App, Live Fast and Data Free for Telstra mobile customers or you can also subscribe to Kayo Sports.
Melbourne City v Perth Glory
Sunday, 5pm (AEDT)
It will be another intense week of scrutiny for City boss Warren Joyce ahead of his side’s clash with high-flying Perth Glory at AAMI Park.
While on the surface Saturday night’s 1-1 draw with champions Melbourne Victory isn’t a bad result, the fact they had a numerical advantage for 75 minutes did little to silence the critics.
But a win over the Premiership favourites would surely accomplish that, not that Joyce appears overly concerned.
He’ll be hoping Jamie Maclaren can maintain his excellent form in front of goal, with the Caltex Socceroos striker scoring in all three games since joining the club.
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Although City has yet to find a way past Perth’s defence this season. The two previous clashes have seen Glory win 1-0, while the other match ended goalless.
Perth is currently enjoying a club-record 11-game unbeaten run, set in Sunday’s disappointing 1-1 draw against Western Sydney Wanderers.
Despite dropping two points courtesy of Tarek Elrich’s 95th-minute stunner, Tony Popovic’s men still have a neat eight-point gap at the top of the ladder.
How to watch: Tune in to FOX SPORTS 505 to catch Sunday’s vital clash at AAMI Park, which kicks off at 5pm (AEDT). You can also stream it live on the MyFootball Live App or subscribe to Kayo Sports.
The rest of Round 21
The final two games of the round will be played over the weekend of March 8-10.
The first game comes on Friday, March 8 as Brisbane Roar hosts a resurgent Western Sydney Wanderers at Suncorp Stadium.
Then 24 hours later in Gosford, it’s the Central Coast Mariners taking on the Wellington Phoenix. Both games kick off at 7.50pm (AEDT).