Perth Glory can equal their longest-ever Hyundai A-League winning streak if they beat Adelaide United in Saturday evening’s clash at HBF Park.
The reigning Premiers have surged back into title contention following a string of dominant victories against Melbourne City, Western Sydney Wanderers, Newcastle Jets and Central Coast Mariners.
Tony Popovic’s side have outscored their opponents 14-2 during their four-match winning streak, while Adelaide, who are at risk of dropping out of the top six with another defeat, have lost four of their last six matches away from home.
Glory are also undefeated in their last four Hyundai A-League games against the Reds, and have kept three clean sheets in that span.
Perth Glory v Adelaide United
Saturday, 11 January 2020
HBF Park
Kick off: 4.30pm local, 7.30pm AEDT
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Newcastle’s mountain to climb
Newcastle Jets will be out to cause the shock of the Hyundai A-League season so far when they host Sydney FC on Friday evening.
The Jets – who sacked coach Ernie Merrick on Monday – face a Sydney side streaking clear at the summit.
The contrasting fortunes of these two sides can be laid bare by the fact Sydney have scored a goal with every 5.7 shots this season (the best of any team), while Newcastle, with 14.9 shots per goal, are ranked last in this category.
It is not just the Jets’ attack which needs re-energising, however. Newcastle have conceded four or more goals in three of their last four Hyundai A-League games, as many times as they had done so in 66 fixtures prior.
Newcastle Jets v Sydney FC
Friday, 10 January 2020
McDonald Jones Stadium
Kick off: 7.30pm AEDT
Can Mariners break seven-year curse?
They have already posted wins over Adelaide United and Western United at home this season and Central Coast Mariners will be eyeing the scalp of Melbourne Victory in their Sunday 6pm (AEDT) contest.
However, the Mariners’ last win against the four-time Champions came in 2013. They have managed just four draws in their 18 meetings since, and Victory have won their last four matches on the bounce against the Gosford club, outscoring the Mariners 14-6.
Moreover, Marco Kurz’s side have kept five clean sheets this season – two more than any other team in the competition, while no team has kept fewer than Central Coast (one).
Central Coast Mariners v Melbourne Victory
Sunday, 12 January 2020
Central Coast Stadium
Kick-off: 6pm AEDT
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Maclaren’s happy hunting ground
Melbourne City might need Jamie Maclaren to fire against former club Brisbane Roar on Saturday evening as Erick Mombaerts’ side aim to keep pace with leaders Sydney FC.
City could be 12 points behind the Sky Blues should the reigning Champions beat Newcastle Jets on Friday evening, heaping all the pressure on the men from Bundoora for their trip to Suncorp Stadium.
Fortunately, Maclaren, who holds joint lead of the Golden Boot race alongside Sydney’s Adam Le Fondre, has scored 20 goals in 27 Hyundai A-League games at Suncorp, twice as many as he’s scored at any other venue, and the third most of any player behind Besart Berisha (35) and Henrique (24).
Maclaren hit a hat-trick when these sides met in November, but it was not enough to prevent Roar claiming a sensational 4-3 victory.
Brisbane Roar v Melbourne City
Saturday, 11 January 2020
Suncorp Stadium
Kick off: 4.00pm local, 5.00pm AEDT
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Phoenix out to reach cloud nine
Wellington Phoenix are aiming to equal a club-record nine matches unbeaten in Saturday afternoon’s home fixture against Western Sydney Wanderers.
Phoenix will fancy their chances at doing so too having won their last three Hyundai A-League matches against the Wanderers.
The Wanderers, meanwhile, have conceded exactly two goals in each of their last five away games.
Wellington Phoenix v Western Sydney Wanderers
Saturday, 11 January 2020
Sky Stadium
Kick off: 3.45pm local, 2.45pm AEDT
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