It’s a weekend of individual achievements and long-standing rivalries.
Following on from the Liberty A-League’s epic conclusion last Sunday, the Isuzu UTE A-League’s weekend schedule features the Sydney Derby and the Original Rivalry, with both fixtures kicking off concurrently on Saturday night (7.45pm AEDT).
A-Leagues veterans Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Rhyan Grant will both write their names into the record books this weekend, surpassing equally impressive appearance milestones.
WESTERN UNITED v CENTRAL COAST MARINERS
Veteran defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley will set a new A-Leagues appearances record, moving past the 358 current total he shares with Andrew Durante, as John Aloisi’s side attempt to keep pace with league leaders and defending champions Melbourne City at their quasi home ground in Ballarat.
An impressive Western have been tough to beat and remain on track for a record-breaking season, in Aloisi’s first campaign at the fledgling club, alongside assistant Hayden Foxe.
The Mariners travel to Ballarat unbeaten in five games, with strikers Jason Cummings and Marco Urena hitting a purple patch of form as their chemistry up front improves with every passing game.
Western United v Central Coast
Saturday, April 2 2022
MARS Stadium, Ballarat
Kick-off: 2:05pm AEDT
TV: Paramount+
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WELLINGTON PHOENIX v MELBOURNE CITY
Fresh from a rare week-long break, Melbourne City are back in hectic schedule mode, with the Wellington Phoenix match kicking off three games in a week, before they depart for AFC Champions League duty in Thailand on April 10.
While City lead, they have played more games and they’ll want to bank up as many points as possible, with just two regular-season games left after returning from Asian duties, before finals. Wellington have gone under the radar in climbing up the table.
Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne City
Saturday, April 2 2022
Shark Park, Cronulla
Kick-off: 5:05pm AEDT
TV: Paramount+
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ADELAIDE UNITED v MELBOURNE VICTORY
One of the A-League’s original rivalries scarcely needs an extra layer of motivation, but one glance at the league table spells out what’s at stake in a game that will mark the 200th game in a United shirt of elegant midfielder Isaias. Just three points separates the two sides as they jostle for positions on the ladder and a win for the visitors would pull them level on points – and ahead on goal difference.
Adelaide welcome back Craig Goodwin after he missed the defeat to the Mariners due to his partner’s bout of COVID. Victory are still smarting from dropping two points to a 97th-minute equaliser to Western Sydney Wanderers last weekend and should be without centre-back Roderick Miranda due to his late red card in that game.
Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory
Saturday, April 2 2022
Coopers Stadium
Kick off: 7.45pm AEDT
TV: 10/Paramount+
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SYDNEY FC v WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS
What threatens to be the “deluge derby”, with yet more rain forecast over Sydney on Saturday, has big ramifications for what is turning into a scrap for the top six between two teams who had title pretentions at the start of the season.
Since knocking off the Sky Blues last month, Western Sydney have lost only once in four more games, and head coach Mark Rudan wants his side to believe in themselves a bit more. Sydney full-back Rhyan Grant is due to set a new appearance record for Sydney, moving ahead of former captain Alex Brosque.
Sydney FC v Western Sydney
Saturday, April 2 2022
Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Kick off: 7.45pm AEDT
TV: 10/Paramount+
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BRISBANE ROAR v NEWCASTLE JETS
It has been a topsy-turvy season for both teams as the Roar welcome the Jets to Moreton Daily Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Jets have struggled in their past two visits to Brisbane, failing to score in back-to-back games, and Arthur Papas’ side will have to address that form.
The visitors will be without the services of prime creator Daniel Penha, who was sent off for a high elbow on Giordano Colli in Newcastle’s midweek draw with Perth Glory.
Brisbane Roar v Newcastle Jets
Sunday, April 3 2022
Moreton Daily Stadium
Kick-off: 4.05pm AEDT
TV: P+
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MACARTHUR FC v PERTH GLORY
Perth must create history in their brief head-to-head record with Macarthur if they are to emerge victorious at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Sunday night.
Since Macarthur’s inaugural season, the Glory are yet to beat the Bulls, splitting two losses and two draws across four prior meetings. Perth have only managed one goal in that period.
Macarthur FC v Perth Glory
Sunday, April 3 2022
Campbelltown Sports Stadium
Kick-off: 6.20pm AEDT
TV: P+
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