It’s a pivotal weekend in the A-Leagues, with a top-of-the-table clash highlighting the Isuzu UTE A-League action whilst the Liberty A-League finals series gets underway.
Melbourne City travel to face Liberty A-League premiers Sydney FC for a place in the Grand Final on Friday night, while Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory fight to keep their respective seasons alive in a do-or-die semi-final on Sunday afternoon.
Elsewhere in the Isuzu UTE A-League, Perth Glory continue to settle in at home after a testing stint on the road as Wellington Phoenix face Brisbane Roar, Macarthur FC host Western Sydney Wanderers and Adelaide United look to continue their surging run of form against Newcastle Jets.
FRIDAY, MARCH 11
LIBERTY A-LEAGUE: SYDNEY FC v MELBOURNE CITY
A place in the A-League Women’s Grand Final goes on the line as premiers Sydney FC host Melbourne City at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on Friday night.
Sydney and City rotated top spot on the table as the regular season came to a close, with the Sky Blues just edging City to clinch the premiers plate. These teams have played twice this season to date, with both Sydney and City registering one win apiece.
The Sky Blues’ loss to City was their only defeat of an otherwise imperious season; Sydney will be eager to set the record straight against a potential grand final opponent on Friday night, with the loser staying alive in the finals with a second chance next weekend.
TIP: Sydney too strong on their home deck.
Sydney FC v Melbourne City
Friday, March 11 2022
Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Kick-off: 7.05pm AEDT
TV: P+
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SATURDAY, MARCH 12
ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE: BRISBANE ROAR v WELLINGTON PHOENIX
Wellington Phoenix climbed into the top six with a dramatic midweek win over Newcastle Jets. Now Ufuk Talay’s side face the Roar, languishing at the foot of the table on a three-game losing streak, with the opportunity to further enhance their claim for a finals finish.
The last time these two sides met was on February 16 when Wellington made light work of Warren Moon’s side in a 3-0 triumph.
TIP: Wellington’s charge up the table continues with a win.
Brisbane Roar v Wellington Phoenix
Moreton Daily Stadium
Kick-off: 5.05pm AEDT
TV: P+
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ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE: WESTERN UNITED v MELBOURNE CITY
It’s a mouthwatering top of the table clash at AAMI Park on Saturday between two sides locked on 32 points and pulling clear of the chasing pack.
City went back above Western into top spot on the A-League Men’s table with a 3-1 win over Macarthur FC on Wednesday night. Jamie Maclaren pulled further ahead in the Golden Boot race with his 11th strike of the season as the champions ramp up their pursuit of silverware this season.
City have scored 36 goals this season, 11 more than any other side in the competition – but to win on Saturday they’ll need to break down the league’s most stubborn defence: Western have conceded just 12 goals thus far, half of City’s total in the same category.
TIP: The champions to make a statement.
Western United v Melbourne City
AAMI Park
Kick-off: 5.05pm AEDT
TV: P+
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ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE: PERTH GLORY v SYDNEY FC
Perth Glory’s long-awaited homecoming ended in 2-1 defeat at the hands of Adelaide United on Sunday afternoon. Now, Richard Garcia’s side will look to capitalise on their first full week at home since November, 2021 to take maximum points from this clash with Sydney FC.
The Sky Blues bucked a five-game winless run this week with a comprehensive 5-0 win over Kaya F.C.–Iloilo in the AFC Asian Champions League preliminary round. Adam Le Fondre and Bobô both returned to the scoresheet with two goals each; head coach Steve Corica will hope the Champions League goals translate into A-League Men’s form.
TIP: Two sides struggling for league form to share the spoils.
Perth Glory v Sydney FC
HBF Park
Kick-off: 7.05pm AEDT
TV: P+
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ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE: MACARTHUR FC v WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS
A 2-0 win over rivals Sydney FC was just what the doctor ordered for Mark Rudan’s Western Sydney Wanderers, who approach their clash with Macarthur FC with momentum after a challenging run of five games which garnered just one win and four losses.
The Bulls are winless in three having been easily dispatched by Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City in consecutive games. But facing the Wanderers at Campbelltown Stadium should give Ante Milicic’s side a boost; led by the individually brilliant Ulises Dávila and Craig Noone, the hosts have ample firepower to turn any form slump around with the flick of a switch.
TIP: Western Sydney’s up-and-down form continues, Macarthur bounce back with a home win.
Macarthur FC v Western Sydney Wanderers
Campbelltown Stadium
Kick-off: 7.45pm AEDT
TV: P+, Network 10
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SUNDAY, MARCH 13
LIBERTY A-LEAGUE: ADELAIDE UNITED v MELBOURNE VICTORY
Golden Boot winner Fiona Worts will be out to strike Adelaide United through to the next round of the A-League Women’s finals as Melbourne Victory travel to Coopers Stadium for the second time in three games.
The Reds won 3-0 over their semi-final rivals last time out; if the Reds repeat that feat Victory will crash out of the finals in this do-or-die clash on Sunday afternoon. The winner will proceed to face the loser of Sydney FC v Melbourne City for a place in the Grand Final.
TIP: Fiona Worts and Chelsie Dawber too strong for a leaky Victory defence as the Reds progress.
Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory
Coopers Stadium
Kick-off: 4.05pm AEDT
TV: P+, Network 10
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ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE: ADELAIDE UNITED v NEWCASTLE JETS
Heartbreak in midweek for Newcastle Jets sends Arthur Papas’ side into the weekend with desperation to bounce back from their 3-2 loss to Wellington Phoenix.
Adelaide United, meanwhile, are flying in the A-League Men’s, with super-sub Mohamed Toure proving the difference of late. The teenage speedster came off the bench to score the winner for his side for the second time in four games as the Reds travelled to Perth to steal all three points on Sunday, March 6.
Carl Veart’s side will need to be wary of the class of Jets creator Daniel Penha and his partner in crime Beka Mikeltadze. The Georgian striker has eight goals to his name this season, with Penha notching eight assists to date.
TIP: Goals from each side in a free-flowing Adelaide win.
Adelaide United v Newcastle Jets
Coopers Stadium
Kick-off: 7.15pm AEDT
TV: P+
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