The Liberty A-League premiers plate goes on the line this weekend, as Melbourne City and Sydney FC both fight to get their hands on the first piece of silverware on offer on Sunday afternoon.
City travel to face Western Sydney needing a win to jump above the Sky Blues, who will then in turn have to defeat third-placed Adelaide United on the road to claim top spot back as their own, and earn the title of 2021/22 Liberty A-League premiers.
It’s the dramatic conclusion to a premiership race which has had its fair share of twists and turns, with both Sydney and City sitting in the box seat throughout recent weeks.
Elsewhere in the A-Leagues, Perth Glory’s Isuzu UTE A-League side are back in Perth for the first time since November, with their homecoming fixture a Sunday-evening (AEDT) encounter with Adelaide.
LIBERTY A-LEAGUE: WELLINGTON PHOENIX v PERTH GLORY
Wellington host Perth in one of two simultaneous A-League Women’s fixtures on Friday evening set to decide which four teams progress to the finals.
Perth (fifth) play last-placed Wellington at WIN Stadium with a win the only result capable of taking Glory into the top four. Melbourne Victory would then have to lose against in-form Canberra United for Perth to snatch fourth spot and progress to the finals.
It would be an unbelievable achievement from Alex Epakis’ side, who finished bottom of the table last season without a win to their name. Wellington currently occupy that very spot on the table in 2021/22 – but could avoid this season’s wooden spoon with points earned against Perth, beginning the final round locked on points with Western Sydney.
Tip: Perth will win and put the pressure all on the Victory to do the same.
Wellington Phoenix v Perth Glory
Friday, March 4
WIN Stadium
Kick-off: 5.05pm AEDT
TV: P+
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LIBERTY A-LEAGUE: MELBOURNE VICTORY v CANBERRA UNITED
The pressure is on the reigning champions to avoid crashing out of finals contention as a hungry Canberra United come to town.
Victory’s spot in the top four is under threat with Perth breathing down their necks; a draw should be enough for Jeff Hopkin’s side to confirm their place in the finals, but three points is the target – anything less would ensure a five-game winless run to end the regular season.
But Canberra approach their final game of the season unbeaten in three, with star forward Michelle Heyman on a tear of individual form. A season to forget is ending on a high for the team from the capital – and a statement win over a finals aspirant would breed positivity heading into the next campaign.
Tip: Victory will need to treat this week as if the finals are starting now. Surely they have too much experience, and too many match winners, to blow a top four berth from here?
Melbourne Victory v Canberra United
Friday, March 4
AAMI Park
Kick-off: 5.05pm AEDT
TV: P+
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ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE: MELBOURNE VICTORY v MACARTHUR FC
Macarthur FC will enter the premiership race should the in-form Bulls triumph over Melbourne Victory on the road.
Macarthur (third) have games in hand over Melbourne City and Western United, who are occupying the top two spots on the table.
Tommy Oar put his second entry for goal of the season into the back of the net in Macarthur’s recent 2-2 draw with Newcastle. Star Macarthur winger Craig Noone is coming into an excellent patch of form as the Bulls travel to face a Victory side steadying the ship. A 1-0 win over Central Coast last time out bucked a five-game winless run for Tony Popovic’s side lacking in form since their FFA Cup final triumph in early February.
Tip: At home, Tony Popovic will want to get one over his old mate Ante Milicic. It is the old guard against the new breed, and Victory will stand their ground and prevail.
Melbourne Victory v Macarthur FC
Friday, March 4
AAMI Park
Kick-off: 7.45pm AEDT
TV: P+
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LIBERTY A-LEAGUE: NEWCASTLE JETS v BRISBANE ROAR
Cassidy Davis broke the A-Leagues record for consecutive appearances with her 109th-straight Jets outing midweek – and on Friday night the Jets legend gets the chance to celebrate that milestone in front of home fans.
No player in the A-League Men’s or Women’s has ever played as many consecutive games as Davis, with her record run stretching back to her club debut in 2013. The record extends on Friday night as Brisbane travel to No. 2 Sportsground, the visitors buoyed by a shock 2-0 win over Melbourne City in their last fixture.
Tip: Brisbane are buoyed but the Jets have a milestone to celebrate. This one will finish level.
Newcastle Jets v Brisbane Roar
Friday, March 4
No. 2 Sportsground
Kick-off: 7.45pm AEDT
TV: P+
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ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE: WESTERN UNITED v NEWCASTLE JETS
It’s resolute defence against relentless attack as Western United host Newcastle Jets on Saturday afternoon.
Western have soared to the top of the table having conceded just 11 goals in 14 games, going seven unbeaten leading into their meeting with the Jets.
The visitors boast the scoring prowess of Georgian spearhead Beka Mikeltadze and his eight goals scored in 11 games, and creative midfielder Daniel Penha who tops the league’s assist leaderboard with seven notched from 12 games to date.
The pair lead a bright Jets attacking force eager to put Western’s defence to the test – but they must be careful going the other way: star Western recruit Aleksandar Prijović is in flying form, with four goals from his last six games.
Tip: John Aloisi’s side will be to rigorous, and structured, and prevail 2-0.
Western United v Newcastle Jets
Saturday, March 5
Mars Stadium
Kick-off: 3.05pm AEDT
TV: P+
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ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE: CENTRAL COAST MARINERS v BRISBANE ROAR
This is the Mariners’ chance to put a worrying trend to bed.
In four of their last five A-League Men’s fixtures, Central Coast have dropped points with a goal conceded in the 90th minute or later – a pattern of late collapses which has Nick Montgomery’s side equal on points (11) with Brisbane Roar who occupy the foot of the table.
At home, against a Roar outfit heading into the weekend with three defeats from their past four games, now is the time for the Mariners to set the record straight – or risk being left dead last by the travelling Roar.
Tip: Central Coast’s season could look so different if not for stoppage-time. This weekend, they’ll right the wrong and be clear by then.
Central Coast Mariners v Brisbane Roar
Saturday, March 5
Central Coast Stadium
Kick-off: 5.05pm AEDT
TV: P+
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ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE: SYDNEY DERBY
This season’s second instalment of the Sydney Derby comes as both Western Sydney and Sydney FC grapple to arrest their respectively poor form slumps.
The Sky Blues head to CommBank Stadium with their place in the top six is under threat from an in-form Wellington Phoenix praying to see Steve Corica’s side slip.
Mark Rudan’s Wanderers, meanwhile, have one win from five sandwiched in between two lots of back-to-back defeats. A draw – like the 0-0 affair in Round 1 – will do neither side any favours with the significance of this episode of A bitter rivalry boiling down to the need for both sides to stop the rot.
Tip: With wild weather in Sydney, this one could be a cagey draw.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Sydney FC
Saturday, March 5
CommBank Stadium
Kick-off: 7.45pm AEDT
TV: P+, Network 10
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LIBERTY A-LEAGUE: WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS v MELBOURNE CITY
Melbourne City simply must take three points from their meeting with Western Sydney to stay in contention for the A-League Women’s premiership.
City will go top by one point should they defeat the Wanderers, leaving Sydney FC the task of dispatching third-placed Adelaide United on the road on Sunday afternoon to claim top spot and the premiers plate.
Adding to the intrigue is City striker Hannah Wilkinson’s opportunity to compete for the A-League Women’s Golden Boot. Two goals behind Reds forward Fiona Worts, two goals or more from the New Zealand international will make Adelaide’s clash with the Sky Blues all the more intriguing.
Western Sydney are in free-fall, and should Wellington notch a point or more against Perth Glory on Friday Catherine Cannuli’s side will need to match that result against City to avoid the wooden spoon.
Tip: It is hard to fathom anything but a Melbourne City win. Anything else would be a confidence blow before the finals.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Melbourne City
Sunday, March 6
Wanderers Football Park
Kick-off: 12.05pm AEDT
TV: P+
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LIBERTY A-LEAGUE: ADELAIDE UNITED v SYDNEY FC
Sydney FC will be crowned A-League Women’s premiers should Ante Juric’s side overcome Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
But with Fiona Worts leading the Golden Boot and fellow Reds forward Chelsie Dawber snapping at her heels, you can expect the finals-bound Reds to give the Sky Blues an almighty challenge.
Back-to-back premierships are on offer for Sydney, who could have top spot all wrapped up by the time this match kicks off, depending on the outcome of Melbourne City v Western Sydney on Saturday.
Tip: What an entree to the finals series. We’re tipping Sydney, just.
Adelaide United v Sydney FC
Sunday, March 6
Coopers Stadium
Kick-off: 4.05pm AEDT
TV: P+, Network 10
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ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE: WELLINGTON PHOENIX v MELBOURNE CITY
Wellington Phoenix are a team in form, rising from 12th on the table to knock on the door to the top six. Win against City, and Ufuk Talay’s team might break the hinges off the door frame.
The ‘Nix will fancy their chances against City after Patrick Kisnorbo’s side last A-League Men’s fixture: a 2-2 draw with Perth Glory in which the reigning champions squandered a two-goal lead – and the opportunity to go clear of Western United at the top of the table.
City fans will be optimistic, however, about Mathew Leckie’s form surge. With six goals in his past seven games, the star Socceroo is one of the in-form players of the competition.
Tip: Despite City’s attacking riches there is no reason to doubt the Nix can jag a point in this game given their recent form.
Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne City
Sunday, March 6
Leichhardt Oval
Kick-off: 4.05pm AEDT
TV: P+
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ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE: PERTH GLORY v ADELAIDE UNITED
Perth Glory fans, the wait is over.
Richard Garcia’s side return home after more than three months on the road, in time for just their second home fixture of the season against Adelaide on Sunday. WA lifted its border restrictions on Thursday, March 3 allowing the Glory to return to their home state to face the Reds – the team Perth last played at HBF Park on November 20, 2021.
The travelling side are buoyant after a stoppage-time goal scored by 16-year-old Nestory Irankunda sealed a 2-1 win over the Mariners, firmly entrenching Adelaide in the top four. Carl Veart’s side are favourites to take all three points against Perth, but a crowd starved of football may make a significant difference to a Perth side returning home.
Tip: Buoyed by their fans and the homecoming, anything but a Perth win wouldn’t be reading the script right.
Perth Glory v Adelaide United
Sunday, March 6
HBF Park
Kick-off: 7.05pm AEDT
TV: P+
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LIBERTY A-LEAGUE: BRISBANE ROAR v NEWCASTLE JETS
For the second time in four days, Brisbane Roar and Newcastle Jets will face off in the A-League Women’s on Monday night.
Brisbane returned to training on Tuesday, March 1 after flooding and extreme weather in Queensland which postponed a number of A-League Women’s fixtures.
Captain Ayesha Norrie says her side is “playing for pride” without finals to aspire to; a sixth-placed finish is still possible for the Roar – as it is for Newcastle with both sides locked on 10 points at the start of the weekend chasing Canberra in sixth on 11.
Tip: With little to play for, it is hard to predict this second game in four days, but back home, we’ll go for Brisbane.
Brisbane Roar v Newcastle Jets
Monday, March 7
Perry Park
Kick-off: 5.15pm AEDT
TV: P+
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