Western United and Melbourne City are set to light up the A-League’s weekend action as numerous clubs are without players due to call-ups for the Socceroos’ World-Cup qualifiers.
Four matches are scheduled for this weekend with two fixtures postponed (now a regularity of the league) and both Victorian sides have a golden chance on Saturday night to jump to the top of the ladder.
The Green and Blacks will take confidence from their 1-0 win over the reigning premiers earlier in the season.
They have an added incentive with defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley playing in his 350th league appearance, only the second person to do so, with a win the best way to honour his achievement.
“It’s obviously something to be proud of and I’m hoping to share that with my family and my kids on the weekend. But it’s a game to win too, that’s first and foremost in my mind,” the centre back told media.
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City have been ravaged by national duty with stars Jamie MacLaren, Mathew Leckie, Connor Metcalfe and Marco Tilio all summoned by Graham Arnold, leaving them a massive hurdle to overcome, particularly in attack (Maclaren scored the opener in the Socceroos 4-0 victory over Vietnam in Thursday night’s World Cup qualifier).
Brisbane hosts Western Sydney in what could be a telling result for the Red and Black club.
The Wanderers lost their captain, Rhys Williams, to injury in their last match and they will now rely more than ever on their other stars to step up, including dynamic midfielders Terry Antonis and Dimitri Petratos.
A win will see the Roar finally escape bottom place which is all the motivation they need.
Sydney FC are seeking vengeance against the Mariners on Sunday night after the Gosford side defeated them in the FFA Cup semi-final two weeks ago.
The Sky Blues have three players of their own playing for the Socceroos though their midweek 2-2 draw to rivals Melbourne Victory will have given them enormous confidence in their squad depth.
Central Coast has a chance to make it three consecutive wins over Sydney this season, their only real disadvantage being defender Kye Rowles’ call-up to the national team.
Newcastle will make their long-awaited return to action with a home match against Adelaide.
The Arthur Papas-led outfit has not played since December 19, leaving them mightily low on match fitness and sharpness.
The Reds meanwhile have a huge void to fill with star winger Craig Goodwin also beckoned to the Australia squad (Goodwin also got on the scoresheet for the Socceroos on Thursday night).
Two matches have been postponed so far: Perth Glory-Melbourne Victory and Wellington Phoenix-Melbourne Victory.