The Isuzu UTE A-League is back this weekend and aleagues.com.au has everything you need to know ahead of Round 22 of the 2024-25 season.
Read on for a game-by-game preview ahead of Round 22.
*Byes: Perth Glory, Sydney FC, Western Sydney Wanderers
Melbourne City v Macarthur Bulls
Friday, March 7 – AAMI Park – 7:35pm AEDT
Melbourne City will be out to continue their fine form and boost their top-two hopes when Macarthur Bulls come to town on Friday night.
Marco Tilio scored his second goal in two games as City snapped a six-game winless drought on the road against Wellington Phoenix. The 2021 champions are back at AAMI Park this week looking to extend their winning streak on home soil to five straight games, and six matches undefeated.
A win could also potentially see City jump from fifth to second in the standings, with only a point separating them and second-placed Western United.
As for eighth-placed Macarthur, they must arrest their slump if they are to stand any chance of qualifying for the Finals Series. The Bulls have lost back-to-back games and are winless in four matches – a run that has seem them slip five points adrift. They will, however, take heart from the fact they are four games unbeaten against City, having won the past two fixtures.
Adelaide United v Brisbane Roar
Saturday, March 7 – Coopers Stadium – 5:00pm AEDT
Adelaide United are set to receive a major boost this week for the visit of lowly Brisbane Roar.
Talented quartet Panagiotis Kikianis, Fabian Talladira, Luka Jovanovic and Jonny Yull are back in Australia after helping the Subway Young Socceroos win their maiden AFC Under-20 Asian Cup in China last week. It is music to the ears of coach Carl Veart, whose Reds are only second on goal difference as they try to chase down league-leading Auckland FC or at least move ahead in the race for second spot and AFC Champions League qualification.
Adelaide have only won one of their past six games, though they are coming off a wild 4-4 draw away to Auckland. As for Brisbane, they are bottom of the table and hurting after conceding a 97th-minute equaliser against Melbourne Victory in Round 21.
The last time these sides met in November, Adelaide prevailed 3-2 in Brisbane. The Roar have not beaten the Reds on home soil since a 3-1 victory in January 2021.
Western United v Wellington Phoenix
Saturday, March 7 – Ironbark Fields – 6:00pm AEDT
Western United are flying high and firmly on track to finish inside the top two, if they can maintain their form.
Led by Golden Boot leader and Socceroos hopeful Noah Botic with an exciting supporting cast, John Aloisi’s Western sit second and eight points behind Auckland FC ahead of the visit of Wellington Phoenix, whose finals hopes are fading.
Western have won two straight games, scoring three goals in each of those victories, while they have only lost one of their last seven matches. Wellington, meanwhile, are in the midst of a five-game drought to sit 11th and 11 points outside of the top six. They have also only scored once in five games.
The Phoenix, though, have not lost to Western United since 2022.
Melbourne Victory v Central Coast Mariners
Saturday, March 7 – AAMI Park – 7:35pm AEDT
Melbourne Victory’s position in a congested top six is precarious as the race to the Finals Series heats up.
Last season’s runners-up are sixth but only a point ahead of rivals Sydney FC and five points better off than Macarthur ahead of the visit of two-time reigning champions Central Coast Mariners, who need a result themselves to keep their top-six hopes alive.
Back-to-back draws and just three wins in 12 matches (D5 L4) have threatened to derail Victory’s charge with a Grand Final rematch against 10th-placed Central Coast looming. Arthur Diles’ side, though, could hand a debut to new loan signing at U20 Asian Cup MVP Alex Badolato.
Central Coast – who drew 0-0 with Victory in October’s season opener – have gone six games without a win and they have drawn their past three away games in the league
Newcastle Jets v Auckland FC
Sunday, March 8 – McDonald Jones Stadium – 5:00pm AEDT
The resurgent Newcastle Jets are on the cusp of a 16-year first.
Not since 2009 have the Jets won four straight league games as Newcastle take a three-match victorious streak into Sunday’s blockbuster clash against Auckland FC at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The Jets are a team transformed since Kota Mizunuma’s arrival and Lachie Rose’s return from injury. Suddenly, Rob Stanton’s Newcastle are ninth and nine points outside of the top six with two games in hand.
History-making newcomers Auckland, meanwhile, remain the team to beat amid their seven-game undefeated run. They have also won their past two away fixtures.
