The Summer Football Festival is upon us and that means great atmospheres and excitement in the Hyundai A-League.
Getting to your local ground is the perfect way to enjoy a fun, family-friendly experience during the best time of the year.
Here are just four matches that should be marked on your calendar over the coming weeks.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Melbourne City (R13; 1 January)
Start 2018 the right way by getting to ANZ Stadium for a crunch New Year’s Day clash between Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne City.
Josep Gombau’s men are still searching for top gear and will hope a clean slate provides the platform for a surge up the ladder.
City, meanwhile, are aiming to keep the pressure on the top two, but a tough road trip on the back of the Melbourne Derby should make for an intriguing encounter.
Sydney FC v Newcastle Jets (R14; 3 January)
Don’t miss this one.
Reigning champions Sydney FC come up against their biggest challengers – the free-scoring Newcastle Jets – in what looms as an epic at Allianz Stadium.
The Sky Blues prevailed last time but Newcastle continue to get better and will be targeting their biggest scalp yet.
Brisbane Roar v Sydney FC (R15; 8 January)
There’s always a special buzz around Suncorp Stadium when Sydney FC come to town and this will be no different.
It’ll be warm and uncomfortable for the visitors, just the way a summer clash should be between two traditional rivals.
Newcastle Jets v Central Coast Mariners (R15; 9 January)
McDonald Jones Stadium will be packed out for the second F3 Derby of the season.
These two sides play some of the best football in the competition and are sure to put on a spectacle to thrill all ages.
Beaten 5-1 on their own patch last time, can the Mariners return the favour in Newcastle?
