On Sunday afternoon, a 322-day wait will come to an end: Wellington Phoenix are back in New Zealand, and are ready to play on home soil for the first time since May, 2021.
Central Coast Mariners are travelling across the ditch to face the ‘Nix at Sky Stadium on Sunday in the last Isuzu UTE A-League fixture of the weekend.
Macarthur FC and Brisbane Roar kick off the weekend’s action on Friday night, with the Bulls looking for the three points needed to climb back into the top six.
On Saturday it’s Western United hosting Perth Glory in Tasmania, before Melbourne Victory travel to McDonald Jones Stadium where the well-rested Newcastle Jets lie in wait.
With Sydney FC and league-leaders Melbourne City in Vietnam and Thailand respectively preparing to take part in the AFC Asian Champions League group stage over the coming weeks, now is the time for those below City on the table to mount an attack on the Premiers Plate.
FRIDAY, APRIL 15
MACARTHUR FC v BRISBANE ROAR
Macarthur are flirting with the reality of finishing outside the top six, with a number of teams in the bottom half of the table closing in on the finals slots heading into the weekend. The Bulls lost 1-0 to Adelaide United last time out; Ante Milicic’s side has now won just one game in five ahead of their clash with the Roar.
Brisbane held the high-flying Melbourne Victory to a goalless draw in midweek – a commendable result, however captain Jay O’Shea said post-match the point meant little as his side chase wins in each of their remaining games to make a late grab at a spot in the top six.
KEY STAT: Brisbane Roar FC have won their last two A-League Men matches against Macarthur FC, after losing their only meeting against the Bulls prior in the competition (2-0, 9 February 2021).
TIP: Macarthur jump back into the top six with a win.
Macarthur FC v Brisbane Roar
Campbelltown Stadium
Kick-off: 7.45pm AEST
TV: P+
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SATURDAY, APRIL 16
WESTERN UNITED v PERTH GLORY
Western United travel to Tasmania on Saturday for the first of two home games in quick succession in the state, beginning with a clash against bottom-placed Perth Glory.
Western are reeling from a 4-1 home defeat to Wellington Phoenix which put a dent in their title credentials. But with league leaders Melbourne City venturing to Thailand for the start of their AFC Asian Champions League campaign, the time is now for John Aloisi’s side to string together a run of wins in City’s absence to occupy top spot by the time they return in early May.
Perth head into the weekend after losing 1-0 to Wellington Phoenix on Wednesday night.
KEY STAT: Western United have lost only one of their six A-League Men matches against Perth Glory (W4, D1), a 3-0 defeat in May 2021; they have won each of their two meetings since then, keeping a clean sheet on the day in each of those fixtures.
TIP: Western to bounce back with a win over Perth.
Western United v Perth Glory
UTAS Stadium
Kick-off: 5.05pm AEST
TV: P+
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NEWCASTLE JETS v MELBOURNE VICTORY
Melbourne Victory’s resounding Melbourne Derby win last weekend ignited their push for the Premiers Plate – but a goalless draw at home against the Roar in midweek doused the flames. Now Tony Popovic’s side must bounce back on the road against a Newcastle Jets side benefiting from extended breaks between games.
For the second week in a row, Newcastle have benefited from a full week of preparation for an A-League Men’s fixture unhindered by a midweek game. Last weekend the Jets pumped Perth Glory 6-1, and will feel confident of playing the same attacking, energetic brand of football against Victory this time around.
KEY STAT: Newcastle Jets have won two of their last three A-League Men matches against Melbourne Victory(L1), including a 2-1 win in their most recent meeting (12 February 2022); the Jets will be aiming for back-to-back wins against Victory for the first time since October, 2015.
TIP: Well-rested Jets continue their scoring form in a win over Victory.
Newcastle Jets v Melbourne Victory
McDonald Jones Stadium
Kick-off: 7.45pm AEST
TV: P+, Network 10
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SUNDAY, APRIL 17
WELLINGTON PHOENIX v CENTRAL COAST MARINERS
At long last, the Phoenix return to Wellington. It’s the first game of the season on home soil for the ‘Nix, with travel restrictions between Australia and New Zealand lifting in time for the club to schedule their long-awaited return to Sky Stadium.
Last season a similar event occurred, with Ufuk Talay’s side coming home to dominate Western United in a 3-0 win 433 days on from their last game in Wellington.
The ‘Nix last played on home soil in May, 2021 – 322 days prior to this weekend’s clash with Central Coast Mariners, who travel to Sky Stadium eager to spoil the party.
KEY STAT: Wellington Phoenix have lost only one of their last eight A-League Men matches against Central Coast at Sky Stadium (W5, D2, and have won their last three in succession – their longest winning run against the Mariners at the venue.
TIP: A happy homecoming for the ‘Nix capped off by three points.
Wellington Phoenix v Central Coast Mariners
Sky Stadium
Kick-off: 1.05pm AEST
TV: P+
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