A top-of-the-table clash headlines Round 12 of the Hyundai A-League and there’s an Adam Le Fondre sized shadow looming over Melbourne City’s hopes against Sydney FC.
Erick Mombaerts’ City are currently six points behind the Sky Blues as the calendar gets set to tick over to 2020.
City came away with a 2-0 win in their previous visit to Sydney FC but it’s their only triumph in the last eight meetings between the two clubs.
The visitors will need to snap Sydney FC’s sensational record at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, where they have won their last six matches in a row, scoring 17 goals to their opponents three.
And striker Adam Le Fondre has been a major factor in those successes. The Englishman leads the scorers charts with 11 for the campaign, one ahead of City’s Jamie Maclaren.
MATCH PREVIEW: Sydney FC v Melbourne City
HOW TO WATCH: All the Hyundai A-League action in Round 12
The key to keeping Le Fondre quiet could be the opening half, where he has scored nine of his 11 goals, no other player has scored more than five.
City have won their last two Hyundai A-League games away from home. The last – and only – time they won more was a three-game streak in December 2011.
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Sunday, 29 December 2019
Kick-off: 6.30pm AEDT
Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Broadcast: FOX Sports 505
Stream: MyFootball Live App, Kayo Sports
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6117466211001
History on Jets’ side in basement battle
From the top of the Hyundai A-League to the bottom as last-place Newcastle Jets host Brisbane Roar (10th) at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday night.
The Jets are undefeated in their last six matches against Roar – winning five – outscoring the men in Orange 14-4.
Roar’s first-half struggles have been well-documented in 2019/20, with Robbie Fowler’s men yet to score a goal in the opening 45 minutes of a match this season.
While that’s sure to be a concern for Fowler, he can’t complain about the way they finish matches.
No side has scored more goals in the final 15 minutes of games this campaign than the Roar’s four, the same amount as leaders Sydney FC.
MATCH PREVIEW: Newcastle Jets v Brisbane Roar
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Ernie Merrick’s Jets have conceded three goals from outside the box this season, the equal most of any club alongside Melbourne Victory.
At the other end, the Jets are also one of only three teams yet to score from outside the box, along with the Roar and Sky Blues.
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Saturday, 28 December 2019
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEDT
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium
Broadcast: FOX Sports 505
Stream: MyFootball Live App, Kayo Sports
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6117493435001
Adelaide holds no fears for struggling Wanderers
Western Sydney Wanderers may not have won in their last six matches but the trip to Coopers Stadium has been a productive one for the club in recent seasons.
Markus Babbel’s side have lost just one of their last six visits to the City of Churches and also beat the Reds 3-1 in their most recent encounter.
If they can register another win on Friday night it would be the first time in six years they have recorded back-to-back wins over the Reds.
But the Wanderers have lost seven of their last eight away games in the Hyundai A-League, while only Melbourne Victory (nine), have dropped more points than the Red and Black (eight) from winning positions in 2019/20.
MATCH PREVIEW: Adelaide United v Western Sydney Wanderers
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The Reds like to keep things tight at home, especially in the first-half, having kept a clean sheet in seven of their last eight home games in the opening 45 minutes.
It’s seen Gertjan Verbeek’s men win six of those eight clashes, although the other two have ended in defeat.
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Friday, 27 December 2019
Kick-off: 7pm local, 7.30pm AEDT
Venue: Coopers Stadium
Broadcast: FOX Sports 505
Stream: MyFootball Live App, Kayo Sports
Rudan set to face an in-form Phoenix this time
Mark Rudan comes up against former club Wellington Phoenix for the second time, having prevailed 1-0 in Western United FC’s first-ever Hyundai A-League match.
But it’s a very different Phoenix side now than the competition newcomers encountered in Round 1.
Ufuk Talay’s imprint on Wellington is now in full effect, with the Kiwi outfit now unbeaten in their last six matches.
That run has included three wins and three draws, while they have conceded a goal in the first half just once in that period.
MATCH PREVIEW: Western United FC v Wellington Phoenix
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Mexican playmaker Ulises Davila has been instrumental in their success and no other player in the Hyundai A-League has had more shots at goal than his 41.
United have been on the road for the last fortnight but return to Victoria where they have won three of their last five matches.
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Saturday, 28 December 2019
Kick-off: 5pm AEDT
Venue: Mars Stadium
Broadcast: ABC TV, FOX Sports 505
Stream: MyFootball Live App, Kayo Sports, ABC iView
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Perth chasing more glory in Gosford
For the second straight year, Perth Glory are in Gosford for Central Coast Mariners’ traditional New Years’ Eve clash.
It was the visitors who prevailed 4-1 in that clash, with Glory winning on their last two visits to the Mariners’ home ground.
But Gosford has not traditionally been a happy hunting ground for the men in purple, having won only four 22 games at the venue.
Tony Popovic’s side put six goals past Newcastle Jets last weekend and they have lost only one of their last five matches the week after scoring five or more goals in a game.
Skipper Diego Castro could be key to their success on Tuesday, with the Spaniard one of just two players to have both scored and provided three or more goals and assists this season.
MATCH PREVIEW: Central Coast Mariners v Perth Glory
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Castro has both scored and assisted three times in 2019/20, with only Sydney FC’s Kosta Barbarouses (4 goals, 3 assists) enjoying a better record.
The Mariners also bring winning form into this clash and they will be chasing back-to-back Hyundai A-League victories for the first time since December 2017.
Tuesday, 31 December 2019
Kick-off: 7pm AEDT
Venue: Central Coast Stadium
Broadcast: FOX Sports 505
Stream: MyFootball Live App, Kayo Sports
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6117609265001
