Can the Melbourne Victory shot-stopper be the man to derail Perth Glory’s Premiers’ Plate party-train?
Lawrence Thomas will be key to Victory’s hopes on the weekend as they travel west.
Western Sydney Wanderers are the dead-ball masters, while Adelaide United may finally see some goals when they face Central Coast Mariners in Gosford.
Get across all of that and more in our statistical look at the action ahead of this weekend.
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Thomas a travel treat for Victory
Melbourne Victory make the daunting trip west to take on Perth Glory at HBF Park, but the visitors have packed a not-so-secret weapon in the shape of goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas.
Victory boast a save percentage of 79% when playing away from home this season, the highest in the league.
The 26-year-old Thomas is a big part of the reason Kevin Muscat’s side have only lost one of their last 11 away matches, winning eight and drawing two in the process.
Coach Muscat will need the goalkeeper at his protective best come Saturday, when his side attempts to keep out the most fearsome frontline in the Hyundai A-League.
MATCH PREVIEW: Perth Glory v Melbourne Victory
Ranked first for shots on target, conversion rate and goals scored, Perth are a menace to any side they face, but the key to unlocking the Victory lies with Diego Castro.
The midfield maestro has seven goals in eight games against the visitors, a tally matched only by his seven goals against Melbourne City.
If Glory can score first, then Victory face an uphill battle. The hosts have only been pegged back twice across the 15 matches where they opened the scoring this season.
Perth Glory v Melbourne Victory, Saturday 10:00pm (AEDT)
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6000449247001
Jets need to start firing more effectively
History is not on Newcastle’s side. Despite winning their last two away matches in a late tilt for Finals football, Ernie Merrick’s side have never found much success against their Kiwi counterparts.
MATCH PREVIEW: Wellington Phoenix v Newcastle Jets
The ‘Nix have won 12 of their last 15 fixtures against the Jets at Westpac Stadium, including the last three.
Newcastle also carry the Hyundai A-League’s worst shooting accuracy and conversion-rate records. Sitting five points adrift from sixth place, this matchup could prove a season-defining fixture for the Hunter Valley club.
Wellington Phoenix v Newcastle Jets, Saturday 5:35pm (AEDT)
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5999530168001
‘Aerial’ Riera to control sky traffic at ANZ Stadium
Oriol Riera has been a ray of light in a difficult season for Wanderers.
Although unlikely to surpass his goal tally of 15 from the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 season, Riera has been the textbook centre-forward for Markus Babbel’s side.
The forward has contested and won more aerial duels than any other player this season, though the striker has his hands full taking on Melbourne City centre-backs Bart Schenkeveld and Harrison Delbridge.
MATCH PREVIEW: Western Sydney Wanderers v Melbourne City
After a 14-game skid against the Wanderers, City have now won their past three matches against the Red and Black.
And to make matters worse for the Wanderers, they have lost seven consecutive matches at ANZ Stadium, conceding an average of three goals per game.
However, City boss Warren Joyce will be wary of set pieces: Western Sydney have scored a league-tying 14 times from dead-ball situations this season.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Melbourne City, Saturday 7:50pm (AEDT)
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5992299572001
Will the floodgates open in Gosford?
Adelaide United travel to Central Coast desperate to get their season back on track.
Blank in three outings, the Reds will set an unwanted club record for matches without a goal if they fail to find the back of the net on Sunday.
On the other hand, 23 goals have been scored in the Mariners’ last three games, making for an average of almost eight (eight!) goals per game.
MATCH PREVIEW: Central Coast Mariners v Adelaide United
Matthew Millar will have some say in the encounter. The Central Coast right-back has eight assists to his name, the joint highest in the Hyundai A-League this season.
For Adelaide, the irrepressible Craig Goodwin is the most likely to spark Marco Kurz’s side. He ranks second in the league for chances created, with 62.
Central Coast Mariners v Adelaide United, Sunday 5:00pm (AEDT)
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5994960224001
Prime time is primo for Sky Blues
Sydney FC are Friday-night specialists.
Steve Corica’s side have won nine of their past 11 Hyundai A-League Friday fixtures, drawing one and losing the other.
The one defeat they did suffer? An away fixture in February against Brisbane Roar.
MATCH PREVIEW: Brisbane Roar v Sydney FC
It is a feat that will prove difficult for the Roar to repeat, considering they have conceded four or more goals in four of their last six matches at Suncorp Stadium.
Sydney trail only Perth for clean sheets, with seven, so the Sky Blues should find this match relatively straightforward if they can get on the board early, having only lost once in the 12 matches they opened the scoring in.
Football does not always work the way the stats suggest, of course. The one loss they did suffer? That same fixture in February against Brisbane.
Brisbane Roar v Sydney FC, Friday 7:50pm (AEDT)
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5999930583001
