The Isuzu UTE A-League is back this weekend and aleagues.com.au has everything you need to know ahead of Round 7 of the 2024-25 season.
It is set to be a bumper weekend with the second instalment of the New Zealand Derby, Sydney FC’s trip to the two-time reigning champions, a reunion in Newcastle, Western United’s return to Tarneit and much more.
*Bye: Western Sydney Wanderers
Brisbane Roar are back at Suncorp Stadium for only the second time this season and while they are still searching for their first win of 2024-25, they will be encouraged heading into Friday night’s clash.
The Roar coughed up a two-goal lead in their wild and dramatic 4-4 draw with Macarthur Bulls last week, avoiding an unwanted A-Leagues record of five straight defeats via a 93rd-minute equaliser.
Thomas Waddingham scored twice in the draw and all eyes will be on the 19-year-old once more against visiting Melbourne City, who are fifth and six points off the pace.
City are coming off a disappointing 2-0 loss at home to Western Sydney Wanderers – their first against the Wanderers at AAMI Park in the A-Leagues since 2015.
The last time Brisbane and City met, the Roar were 5-1 victors in February thanks to a Waddingham brace.
Ladies and gentlemen, strap yourselves in. This is going to be fun.
A sell-out crowd is set to watch the second instalment of the New Zealand Derby at Go Media Stadium on Saturday, pitting history-making leaders Auckland FC against fourth-placed Wellington Phoenix.
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Last month, a last-gasp Jake Brimmer brace gave Auckland a 2-0 win and bragging rights in Wellington.
The Phoenix had the bye in round 6, having trumped Melbourne Victory during Unite Round in Sydney.
Archie Goodwin will return to McDonald Jones Stadium in the Hunter region, albeit as an opposition player with unbeaten Adelaide United.
Local product Goodwin swapped boyhood club Newcastle Jets for Adelaide in the off-season, having called the club home since Under-9s.
The 20-year-old makes his way back to the region with an Adelaide side, who are third in the table and yet to taste defeat through five games (W3 D2).
Newcastle have lost three straight games since stunning Macarthur Bulls in Round 2 and sit six points outside of the top six.
Western United will be out to make amends against Macarthur Bulls after last week’s defeat at hands of Victorian rivals Melbourne Victory.
John Aloisi was angered by his team’s performance in the 3-1 loss at AAMI Park, but Saturday sees Western return to their familiar surrounds at Ironbark Fields in Tarneit, where Macarthur were actually their first ever opponents at the venue last season.
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Western will be buoyed by the fact Noah Botic scored his first goal of the campaign.
Only two points separate 10th-placed Western and seventh-placed Macarthur, who have struggled for consistency in 2024-25 following three defeats in five games.
Sunday, 5:00pm (AEDT): Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory
Melbourne Victory are back at AAMI Park on Sunday, with the chance of possibly ending the weekend top of the standings.
Patrick Kisnorbo’s Victory have won four of their past five matches following last week’s success against Western, which saw Zinedine Machach, Nikos Vergos and out-of-favour Socceroo Bruno Fornaroli on the scoresheet.
David Zdrilic’s winless Perth Glory come to town on the back of an encouraging 2-2 draw away to Adelaide after reigning Golden Boot winner and captain Adam Taggart scored twice.
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Victory are three games unbeaten against the Glory, while they have not lost at home to Perth since December 2021, when Fornaroli was playing for the West Australian club and scored in a 3-0 triumph.
Sunday, 6:00pm (AEDT): Central Coast Mariners v Sydney FC
Gosford will be the venue for Sunday’s big clash between two-time reigning champions Central Coast Mariners and rivals Sydney FC.
The Mariners, who like Sydney did not play in Round 6, will be looking to respond to their 4-0 loss at the hands of Yokohama F.Marinos in the AFC Champions League Elite.
Mark Jackson’s new-look Mariners have not played in the A-Leagues since a 2-1 win over Newcastle Jets in the F3 Derby on November 22 and as it stands Central Coast are ninth and three points behind sixth-placed Sydney.
Title hopefuls Sydney – competing in the AFC Champions League Two – were 4-2 winners over cross-town rivals Western Sydney Wanderers on November 23.
