3 minute read
Alen Stajcic will make his A-League coaching debut in Central Coast's derby clash against Newcastle as the race for ladder positions enters the home straight.
PREVIEW OF A-LEAGUE ROUND 22 MATCHES (all times AEDT):
FRIDAY, March 15:
Adelaide v Perth at Coopers Stadium, 7.50pm
Head to Head: Adelaide 18. Glory 13, drawn 10
Adelaide's bid for a finals spot has stalled in recent weeks, with Marco Kurz's men picking up just two points from their past four matches. Perth are unbeaten in 12 but their lead at the top of the ladder has been cut to six points following draws in their past two matches. The two teams drew 0-0 last time they met while Glory were 2-0 victors at Coopers Stadium in round 4. Michael Jakobsen and Nikola Mileusnic both return from injury for the Reds while Alex Grant and Tomislav Mrcela are back for the Glory.
Key: Jordy Thomassen. The Dutch striker has failed to find the back of the net since joining the Reds in late January. Needs to find some form to get Adelaide's season back on track.
Tip: Glory
SATURDAY, March 16:
Newcastle v Central Coast at McDonald Jones Stadium, 5.35pm
Head to head: Jets 16, Mariners 14, drawn 16
Alen Stajcic's arrival as caretaker coach following Mike Mulvey's sacking adds extra intrigue to this F3 derby. The Mariners were awful against Wellington last weekend and slumped to an 8-2 hiding at home and it's unclear how quickly the ex-Matildas boss can turn things around. Newcastle have lost just one of their past seven matches to push themselves on the brink of the top six. The Jets will be eager to continue their late season charge against their local rivals. After being stood down for the Phoenix game for a disciplinary breach, Andrew Hoole is back for the Mariners, while Aiden O'Neill and Kye Rowles are on Olyroos duty. Ronnie Vargas is back from injury in a big inclusion for Ernie Merrick and the Jets.
Key: Stajcic. The 45-year-old has had less than a week to work with the Mariners' squad but will be hoping the 'new manager bounce' will change Central Coast's fortunes.
Tip: Jets
Melbourne Victory v Brisbane at Marvel Stadium, 7.50pm
Head to head: Victory 20, Roar 15, drawn 9
Victory's heartbreaking midweek Asian Champions League defeat to Sanfrecce Hiroshima continues a winless run in all competitions for Kevin Muscat's men that now stretches to six matches. Thomas Deng is away with the Olyroos while James Donachie is suspended. Georg Niedermeier and Carl Valeri come into the Victory squad, while Swedish import Ola Toivonen is set to make an A-League return. Brisbane were thrashed 4-1 by Western Sydney last time out but will take an unchanged squad to Melbourne with one-time Socceroo Eli Babalj poised to make his Roar debut.
Key: Kosta Barbarouses. The ex-Roar striker has scored six of Victory's last 11 A-League goals against Brisbane.
Tip: Victory
SUNDAY, March 17:
Wellington v Western Sydney at Westpac Stadium, 5pm
Head to head: Phoenix 6, Wanderers 10, drawn 4
Wellington's 8-2 thrashing of Central Coast lifted the Phoenix above Melbourne City and Adelaide and into the top four. Western Sydney harbour faint finals ambitions of their own after a four-game unbeaten run but they cannot afford any slip-ups with 10 points between them and sixth-placed City. The Phoenix have won four of their last five A-League games at Westpac Stadium but the Wanderers claimed a 3-0 win on their last trip across the Tasman in November. With Tass Mourdoukoutas, Keanu Baccus and Abraham Majok all on Olyroos duty, coach Markus Babbel has recalled German midfielder Alexander Baumjohann after he was left out of the Roar clash. Young playmaker Sarpreet Singh is suspended in a big blow for the hosts.
Key: Roly Bonevacia has been in sensational form for the Wanderers with his late strike against the Roar his seventh strike in an impressive campaign. He'll need to be stopped by his old club.
Tip: Phoenix
Sydney FC v Melbourne City at Leichhardt Oval, 7pm
Head to head: Sydney 11, City 6, drawn 9
A run of six matches without a win has resulted in City slipping to sixth on the ladder and nervously looking over their shoulders at a fast-finishing Jets. Warren Joyce's men face a tough task to reverse that run against Sydney FC with Riley McGree, Nathaniel Atkinson and Lachlan Wales all on Olyroos duty. Ritchie De Laet and Bert Schenkeveld both return from suspension while Harrison Delbridge is back from injury. Midfielder Josh Brillante missed Wednesday's 1-0 Asian Champions League defeat to Kawasaki Frontale in Japan amid revelations he's attracting interest from an overseas club and he has once again been omitted by Steve Corica. Veteran forward Alex Brosque is back from suspension for the Sky Blues.
Key: Adam Le Fondre. The English striker has three goals already against City this season and will be eager to add to that tally.
Tip: Sydney