Last weekend’s A League Rd 5 left just Perth Glory as the only undefeated team in the league following Victory’s win over a previously undefeated Sydney FC.Glory forward Chris Ikonomidis continues to impress following a brace last week against the Mariners taking him to four goals for the season and earning him a November/ October, young NAB player of the year award nomination. Today’s Rd 6 action kicks off in Gosford.
Central Coast Mariners v Sydney FC
(Saturday 1 December, 5.35 pm, Central Coast Stadium)
Both teams are coming off losses last week, but it’s hard to see the bottom-placed Mariners ending a three-game losing stress against the third placed Sky Blues team looking to bounce back from its first defeat of the season last week against Victory. Mariner’s striker, Matt Simon, comes up against his former club. Mariners also welcome back the skilful Tim Hiarie and Peter Kekeris, whilst Sydney’s Daniel De Silva will be unavailable, against his parent club Mariners, due to a loan agreement between both sides.
Melbourne Victory v Western Sydney Wanderers
(Saturday 1 December, 7.50 pm, Marvel Stadium)
Victory enters this match as warm favourites to complete a double against Sydney opposition in consecutive weeks, with the Wanderers having failed to win this feature in its last eight meetings. Victory’s visa players Keisuke Honda and Ole Toivonen both scored in last week’s win over the Sky Blues, its third in a row, enabling it to leap frog Sydney FC into second spot. The Wanderers could consider themselves a tad unlucky to lose to the Jets last week, but could find this match a bridge too far.
Wellington Phoenix v Perth Glory (Sunday 2 December, 5.00 pm, Westpac Stadium)
Phoenix hosts high flying Glory with Mark Rudan’s team hoping to arrest a three match losing streak. Whilst Wellington has struggled to score goals, with just one goal in its last four matches, Glory leads the goal scoring charts with Andy Keogh and Chris Ikonomidis both heading the league scoring charts. Keogh is set to play his 100th league match whilst coach Tony Popovic further strengthens his squad with the return of Santalab, Spiranovic and Chris Harold.
Melbourne City v Newcastle Jets
(Sun 2nd December, 7.00 pm, AAMI Park)
City was toothless in attack last week without the presence of Bruno Fornaroli, who is again absent from coach Warren Joyce’s announced match day squad. The Jets on the other hand scored a much needed win and will be keen to back that up with another. Former Jet Riley Mc Gree, faces his old club for the first time. With the creative midfielder Ronald Vargas once more pulling the strings in attack for the Jets, Newcastle will be looking to upset a lack lustre City. The Jets will also be buoyed by the return from illness of Johnny Koutroumbis.