Clubs jostling for finals positions will know the importance of three points this weekend before the Hyundai A-League heads into the season-defining month of April.
Make sure you stay across the unfolding action with this definitive how-to-watch guide.
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Brisbane Roar v Sydney FC
Friday, 7.50pm (AEDT)
After a surprise come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Sydney FC in Round 18, Brisbane host the Championship hopefuls confident that history can repeat itself at Suncorp Stadium.
Both outfits suffered losses in their most recent fixtures. Roar went down 2-1 away at Melbourne Victory, but Sydney’s 2-0 defeat at home to Melbourne City was especially crushing as it all-but-ended their faint hopes of securing the Premiers’ Plate.
A lack of solidity at the back for Brisbane – only bottom of the ladder Central Coast Mariners (58) have conceded more than Roar’s 52 goals against this season – could be the catalyst the Sky Blues need to return to the winners’ circle.
If Sydney’s offensive duo of Adam Le Fondre and Reza Ghoochannejhad can click into action, then expect Steve Corica’s side to return to the Harbour City with all three points, staving off Melbourne Victory’s threat to their top-two position, for the time being at least, and setting up a nerve-shredding Big Blue derby on April 6.
How to watch: Tune in to FOX SPORTS 505 to catch this clash which kicks off at 7.50pm (AEDT). You can also stream it live on the MyFootball Live App, or subscribe to Kayo Sports.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5999930583001
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Wellington Phoenix v Newcastle Jets
Saturday, 5.35pm (AEDT)
The Phoenix are looking like a team transformed. Eleven goals in their last two matches has the New Zealand outfit hitting form at just the right time, after a run of just one win in seven games from mid-January saw their challenge wobble alarmingly.
They head into the weekend in fourth place, and three points could prove crucial in clinching a home final, with Melbourne City and Adelaide United poised to pounce should Mark Rudan’s side slip up.
Opponents Newcastle must not spend too much time reflecting on the F3 Derby disaster that befell them in Round 22.
Ernie Merrick’s side trail sixth-placed Adelaide by five points with five matches remaining and need to start chipping away at that gap sooner rather than later, starting this weekend against his former club.
How to watch: Tune in to FOX SPORTS 505 to catch this clash which kicks off at 5.35pm (AEDT). You can also subscribe to Kayo Sports.
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Western Sydney Wanderers v Melbourne City
Saturday, 7.50pm (AEDT)
While fans of both clubs would settle for a narrow 1-0 victory, neutrals will be hoping Western Sydney and City can replicate their mouthwatering Round 15 clash, where AAMI Park witnessed a seven-goal Hyundai A-League classic.
City came out on top in that see-sawing encounter, scoring twice late on to take away a thrilling 4-3 victory over 10-man Wanderers, but have managed only one victory in the seven matches since – a surprise 2-0 triumph at Sydney FC in Round 22 – to leave Warren Joyce’s side in fifth place.
ANZ Stadium plays host to the sequel, which is live and free on Ten Bold, with eighth-placed Wanderers remaining a mathematical chance to leapfrog Adelaide and snatch an unlikely sixth.
You can catch this Saturday night game on Fox Sports 505 as well as LIVE and FREE on Ten Bold, with kick-off at 7.50pm (AEDT). You can also stream it live on the MyFootball Live App, or subscribe to Kayo Sports.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5992299572001
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Perth Glory v Melbourne Victory
Saturday, 10.00pm (AEDT)
The juggernaut out west continues to roll on, picking up wins and playing irresistible football as they do so.
Perth Glory’s next opponent? A Melbourne Victory side with renewed confidence after returning to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over injury-hit Brisbane Roar in Round 22.
It was the Victory’s first win across all competitions since February 2, when they beat Central Coast Mariners 3-2 in Gosford, Kevin Muscat’s team breaking their drought thanks to two goals from Kiwi hero Kosta Barbarouses.
Melbourne will have to be at their Keisuke Honda-inspired best on Saturday night as they take on Tony Popovic’s side. Depending on results the previous evening, three points could see Victory move above fierce rivals Sydney FC into second place, and take a chunk out of Glory’s seemingly insurmountable lead at the top of the ladder.
Perth, who last week announced the signing of Hyundai A-League legend Bruno Fornaroli to bolster their already impressive attack for next season, could all but wrap up the Premiers’ Plate with a win at HBF Park.
How to watch: Tune in to FOX SPORTS 505 to catch this clash which kicks off at 10.00pm (AEDT). You can also stream it live on the MyFootball Live App, or subscribe to Kayo Sports.
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Central Coast Mariners v Adelaide United
Sunday, 5.00pm (AEDT)
Adelaide United travel to Gosford this weekend shrouded in uncertainty following last week’s announcement by the club that coach Marco Kurz’s contract will not be renewed beyond this season.
The timing is unfortunate for the Reds, who still need points to secure finals football. On Sunday they face a resurgent Mariners outfit with something of a point to prove.
Caretaker-coach Alen Stajcic looks to have breathed new life into the club thanks to that thrilling 3-2 F3 Derby triumph over Newcastle Jets in the last round, and what better way to inspire the club’s long-suffering fans than with back-to-back victories?
A win and Central Coast could move to just two points behind Brisbane at the foot of the ladder, and signal the start of an absorbing scrap to avoid the wooden spoon.
For Adelaide, three points look vital as they face three sides above them in the table in the next three weeks, before finishing the regular season with a visit to Brisbane Roar.
How to watch: Tune in to FOX SPORTS 505 to catch this clash, which kicks off at 5.00pm (AEDT). You can also stream it live on the MyFootball Live App, or subscribe to Kayo Sports.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6014668813001
