Whilst Sydney United continues to power ahead at the top of the A-League table, widening the gap between it and the rest of the field, the ladder remains congested especially outside the top four, where just three points separates bottom placed Mariners from fifth placed Wellington Phoenix.
Adelaide United has the bye in this week’s round 10 which kicked off in Brisbane on Friday night when the Roar hosted Western United.
Saturday features a triple header beginning in Melbourne.

Melbourne Victory v Wellington Phoenix | 5.00 pm, Sat 14 Dec | AAMI Park
Victory has made its worst start to an A-League campaign and sits second from the bottom going into this game against the Phoenix. These two played out a 1-1 draw just over a month ago, but things have changed dramatically since then with Phoenix picking up three straight wins and rising up the ladder whilst Victory have won just one of their last five games. Midfield playmaker Kristijan Dobras, who hasn’t started for Victory in those last few games, is recalled to the squad. Despite keeping three clean sheets, Victory’s defence has conceded more goals than any other team apart from Melbourne City ( 14 apiece).
Prediction: Draw

Sydney FC v Central Coast Mariners | 7.30 pm, Sat 14 Dec | Jubilee Stadium
It’s top versus bottom on Sydney’s home turf. The Sky Blues are firing on all cylinders with front man Adam Lefondre bagging a hat trick in the 5-1 win against Roar last week. The Mariners will be coming off a bye but will be without their front man Jordan Murray missing through concussion. The Sky Blues are oozing talent and it’s difficult to see the Mariners stopping them from kicking a winning score.
Prediction: Sydney win

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Perth Glory v Western Sydney Wanderers | 9.45 pm, Sat 14 December | HBF Park
It’s seventh hosting sixth in the final match on Saturday. The Wanderers make another long trip in a fortnight to take on former coach Tony Popovic’s Perth Glory which scored just their second win of the season last week, brushing aside Melbourne City in a performance which suggests they may be finally kicking into gear. Midfielder Neil Kilkenny was back to his best and Bruno Fornaroli got onto the score sheet. The Wanderers will be desperate to halt a four match losing streak, and were perhaps unfortunate to come away from Wellington empty handed last week, having conceded late.
A win to the Glory will see them leapfrog the sixth placed Wanderers.
Prediction: Glory win

Newcastle Jets v Melbourne City | 6.30 pm, Sun 15 Dec | McDonald Jones Stadium
City will be determined not to lose further ground to league leaders Sydney FC this week, after two losses in their last three matches. Both the Jets and City are going into this game on the back of losses. City recall wide attackers Florin Berenguer and Ramy Najjarine to the squad perhaps to give striker Jamie MacLaren more scoring chances. Jets coach Ernie Merrick will have studied how Glory stifled the City attack last week. The Jets attack will again be leaning heavily on the young shoulders of Angus Thurgate, playing as false nine, in the absence of injured Panamanian striker Arroyo who won’t be back until next year because of a hamstring injury. Kosta and Maki Petratos join brother Dimi in the Jets squad.
Prediction: Melbourne City win