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A look at the action in round eleven of the A-League season.
PREVIEW OF A-LEAGUE ROUND ELEVEN MATCHES (all times AEDT):
FRIDAY, Dec 20
Western Sydney Wanderers v Western United at Bankwest Stadium, 7.30pm
Head to head: United 1, Wanderers 0, drawn 0
Last clash: Round 5, 2019-20, United 2-1 at GMHBA Stadium
The week from hell for Western Sydney gathered steam when defender Daniel Wilmering suffered a season-ending knee injury. Not only must coach Markus Babbel find a new left back, he needs to inspire a performance that will keep the dogs from the door following reports of a rift with assistant coach Jean-Paul de Marigny and other ructions. They lost 2-1 to Western United last month, the start of a five-match run of defeats that threatens to equal the Wanderers' worst streak if beaten again by the competition new boys.
Key: Alessandro Diamanti - The Italian maestro returned to his creative best for Western United in last week's win over Brisbane.
Tip: Western United
SATURDAY, Dec 21
Wellington Phoenix v Sydney FC at Westpac Stadium, 2.45pm
Head to head: Sydney 22, Phoenix 13, drawn 4
Last clash: Round 2, 2019-20, Sydney 2-1 at Leichhardt Oval
Sydney FC, by definition, are on a roll. Six straight wins for the runaway leaders has been followed by a week of key re-signings, with contract extension for Milos Ninkovic, Michael Zullo and even coach Steve Corica. Phoenix are unbeaten in their last five and have been particularly good at home but it's hard to envisage Ufuk Talay conjuring a win over his former club, who boast the best attack and defence in the league.
Key: Alex Baumjohann - The German is yet to score a goal for the Sky Blues but some glorious link work has made him a regular standout.
Tip: Sydney
Melbourne City v Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park, 5pm
Head to head: Victory 12, City 9, drawn 8
Last clash: Round 1, 2019-20, drawn 0-0 at Marvel Stadium
City are in rarified air heading into a Christmas derby, sitting 10 points and six places clear of their rivals despite having played one less game. Victory always lift for this occasion and the last three derbies have finished in draws. For all their struggles, Marco Kurz's men are tightening at the back. Their four clean sheets this season are double any other team but they face a City side coming off a sumptuous 4-0 rout of Newcastle.
Key: Adrian Luna - The Uruguayan produced his best display when restored to the City starting lineup against the Jets, scoring twice in the first half.
Tip: City
Perth Glory v Newcastle Jets at HBF Park, 7.30pm
Head to head: Glory 26, Jets 8, drawn 9
Last clash: Round 5, 2019-20, drawn 1-1 at McDonald Jones Stadium
It took a late Diego Castro goal to earn Perth a point when the teams met last month. That was a rare success of sorts for the Jets, who have won just two of their last 24 clashes. Glory are edging closer to last season's form, coming off two straight wins while the 10th-placed Newcastle have slumped to successive losses, including last week's hiding from Melbourne City.
Key: Alex Grant - The Glory defender scored a goal to savour against Wanderers but was even better in his core duties last week, winning nine duels and making nine clearances.
Tip: Glory
SUNDAY, Dec 22
Central Coast Mariners v Adelaide United at Central Coast Stadium, 6pm
Head to head: Adelaide 20, Mariners 18, drawn 7
Last clash: Round 6, 2019-20, Adelaide 3-1 at Central Coast Stadium
Rested from a bye, Adelaide are heavily favoured to take a win into the festive season over opponents they've trumped in seven of their last eight meetings, including a 3-1 victory in Gosford last month. The last-placed Mariners have done little to suggest the tide will turn, having produced a league-low seven goals and coming off four losses in their last five games. Central Coast could have done with more clinical finishing in last week's unlucky 1-0 loss to Sydney.
Key: Unsurprisingly, a defender has been among the Mariner's best. Kye Rowles has blocked 13 shots, the equal-most of any player in the league.
Tip: Adelaide
BYE: Brisbane Roar.
