Brisbane Roar tops the ladder after three rounds, and is set to keep building on that great start with Saturday’s home match against Melbourne Heart.
Brisbane has been notorious for keeping a phenomenal home record, and their opponents this week will be trembling at the knees.
Melbourne heart has had a poor start, suffering two draws in the first two matches and a loss last week to Perth Glory in their home stadium.
Their star defender Patrick Kisnorbo will have to be sidelined for up to three weeks after suffering cartilage damage in his right knee against Perth Glory, but in good news, marquee Harry Kewell might be back on the pitch, after he trained well this week after battling an injury he sustained in the opening round.
Brisbane might not be so unbeatable, after they suffered their first loss of the season last week against an emotionally charged Melbourne Victory.
Central Coast Mariners take on an underperforming Newcastle Jets on Saturday, a game they probably would have liked a little further down the season.
Sitting in last place, the Jets have been stuck without a win and are in desperate need to get some goals.
As title holders, the Mariners are making a good start, and have their last match to thank for their current ladder position. They secured a 1-0 win against
Adelaide United and hope to gain another with a much higher goal score to lead them in good stead for the rest of the season.
Sydney FC will hope to bounce back after a couple of disappointing results when they take on Perth Glory. Marquee man, Alessandro Del Piero is still in doubt, and could change the game dramatically if he’s played or not.
The star striker has been integral to the Sky Blue’s game, but without him they’ve floundered. They suffered a 0-2 loss at home to Western Sydney Wanderers last week without Del Peiro. Yet, their track record in Perth is something to note, they’ve won four out of their six away encounters.
Melbourne Victory will take on Wellington Phoenix on Monday in their first match with a newly promoted head coach, Kevin Muscat.
Time will tell if Ange Postecoglou’s absence will make a difference, but for his first match as head coach, Muscat has an easy opponent and the home advantage.
Phoenix haven’t won a game yet in the season, and haven’t had the best track record against Victory, but coach Ernie Merrick will be working as hard as possible in training to get his team fit and ready.
