The A-League Rd 18 is crammed full with derbies , including three local derbies and the distance derby between Perth and Wellington which along with the Melbourne derby between City and Victory was scheduled as a double header on Friday.

Western United has the bye this round.

Saturday’s action begins in Sydney.

Sydney FC v Western Sydney Wanderers, 5.00 pm Sat 8 Feb, Nestrata Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah

Runaway league leaders Sydney FC go into this match strongly favoured to continue their dominance of this fixture despite losing narrowly to the Wanderers in their only meeting this season. The Sky Blues will be without suspended in form playmaker Alex Baumjohann, whilst the Wanderers go into the match on the back of a victory against the Mariners in which debutante Irish international striker Simon Cox scored.

Prediction: Sydney FC win

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Brisbane Roar v Adelaide United, 6.30 pm Sat February, Suncorp Stadium

Seventh placed Roar trail fifth placed Reds by just five points. Despite losing to the league leaders last week, the Roar will be playing for a place in the top six knowing a win here will leap frog them over Western United into the top six. They’ll have to an overcome a resurgent Reds team however which has won their last three games. The Reds go into this game without several attacking players due to injuries including James Troisi, Al Hassan Toure and Nathan Konstandopoulos.

Prediction: Roar win

Newcastle Jets v Central Coast Mariners, 4.00 pm Sunday 9 Feb 2020, McDonald Jones Stadium

The clash of the cellar dwellers closes out the round. Newcastle Jets welcome back striker Roy O’Donovan, who was sorely missed last week in the scoreless draw against Western United when the team created a myriad of chances. The Jets have appointed new coach, former Welsh international Carl Robinson, who reportedly takes charge after the derby against the Mariners.
In front of their home fans and a new coach, the Jets will be keen to avoid a 10th match in a row without a win.

Prediction: Jets