3 minute read
The season's third instalment of the Melbourne derby headlines round 20 of the A-League.
Preview of A-League Round 20 matches (all times AEDT):
FRIDAY, Feb 22
Central Coast Mariners v Brisbane Roar at Central Coast Stadium 7.50pm
Head to Head: Mariners 7 Roar 28 drawn 13
Last clash: Round 14 - Mariners 1 drew Roar 1 at Central Coast Stadium
The competition's cellar dwellers have fought out 1-1 stalemates in their first two meetings. Successive home matches against the Roar and Phoenix represent the best chance for the Mariners to stave off another wooden spoon outcome but they must do it without Tommy Oar, whose season has ended through injury. Brisbane played like a team counting down to season's end in last week's 4-0 loss to Perth.
Key: Dylan Wenzel-Halls. The young Roar forward has been thrown a curve ball, asked to replace the departed Adam Taggart. At least there may be more scoring chances this week.
Tip: Draw
SATURDAY, Feb 23
Wellington Phoenix v Sydney FC at Campbelltown Stadium 5.35pm
Head to Head: Phoenix 13 Sydney FC 20 drawn 4
Last clash: Round 15 - Phoenix 0 lost to Sydney FC 1 at Westpac Stadium
The coaches' handshakes will draw nearly as much interest as the game after Mark Rudan and Steve Corica delivered a memorable shouting match after their last meeting in Wellington. Corica won the tactical battle that day with a tight, defensive approach that shut down the space the quick Phoenix front men thrive on. Adam le Fondre versus Roy Krishna pits two predatory strikers against each other in what is a "home" match for Wellington taken into enemy territory.
Key: Steven Taylor: Re-signed for another season, the commitment shown by the veteran Newcastle United defender will be a major boost for his over-achieving teammates.
Tip: Sydney FC
Melbourne Victory v Melbourne City FC at Marvel Stadium 7.50pm
Head to Head: Victory 12 City 9 drawn 6
Last clash: Round 9 - City 1 drew Victory 1 at AAMI Park
One point from their last two games has scuppered Victory's hopes of securing the Premiers Plate. They haven't been at their best in the cross town derby this season either, racking up an opening-round loss and a draw but will fancy their chances against a City side who haven't won a game in a month. Keisuke Honda is poised for a long-awaited return to the starting line-up and there could be a return for striker Ola Toivonen, potentially from the bench.
Key: Jamie Maclaren: Two goals in two games represents a fine start to his stint with City and gives reason to believe they can emerge from their slump.
Tip: Melbourne Victory
SUNDAY, Feb 24
Newcastle Jets v Adelaide United at McDonald Jones Stadium 5pm
Head to Head: Jets 13 Adelaide 17 drawn 12
Last clash: Round 10 - Jets 1 lost to Adelaide 2 at McDonald Jones Stadium
Marco Kurz hopes last week's shock 3-1 home loss acts as a warning to his Reds that nothing can be taken to granted. It stalled a bright run of form and leaves them locked in a tight battle for fourth with Melbourne City and the Phoenix. Newcastle have looked the goods in recent weeks but it remains to be seen if their Asian Cup schedule starts to bite.
Key: Dimitrio Petratos versus Craig Goodwin. Jets playmaker Petratos has created more chances this season than any player with 64. Followed by Adelaide's Goodwin.
Tip: Adelaide Jets
Western Sydney Wanderers v Perth Glory at Spotless Stadium 7pm
Head to Head: Wanderers 8 Glory 6 drawn 6
Last clash: Round 13 - Glory 4 bt Wanderers 3 at HBF Park
The Wanderers are unbeaten in their last five at home to Glory but they'll be haunted by the mid-season visit to Perth when they conceded four goals in the last 20 minutes to blow a big lead. They unleashed some of their best work of a disappointing campaign in last week's upset of Adelaide but will need to go to another level to halt Perth's four match winning run.
Key: Diego Castro. The evergreen Spaniard keeps delivering and, when on song, looks on another level to most of his A-League contemporaries.
Tip: Perth Glory
