The A-League’s two best teams this campaign are set for their third encounter this season and the stakes could not be higher with first place up for grabs.
Melbourne City and Western United, currently level on points, will headline a Saturday spectacular (with four matches on offer) and each side is desperate for the win to take top position on the ladder.
Macarthur and Western Sydney are engaging in their own local rivalry while Sydney FC travels to Perth in dire need of three points.
Brisbane Roar battles an in-form Wellington Phoenix and Adelaide United hosts Arthur Papas’ Newcastle side in Sunday’s lone fixture.
Western United faces Melbourne City in a crucial Victorian derby and top-of-the-table clash.
The Green and Blacks will be looking to their previous two encounters for motivation, having beaten the current champions twice already this term.
City will be hoping that third time truly is the charm as they have the chance to down their rivals when it matters most.
Macarthur hosts the Wanderers with each side hoping to create some consistency in a positive direction.
The Bulls are seeking a win after back-to-back losses to the Melbourne clubs which stunted their climb up the ladder.
Western Sydney, in contrast, secured a fantastic victory over Sydney FC last week which they will aim to use as the backbone for this game as well as future matches.
Sydney FC travels to play Perth Glory and the Western Australians will hope they can pounce on their opponents whose league form is at a complete low.
The Sky Blues have lost their last three encounters, the first time since 2013, but their spirits will be lifted after qualifying for the AFC Champions League group stage with a dominant 5-0 result midweek against Filipino side, Kaya FC.
Sydney forward Kosta Barbarouses finally returned to the starting line-up last week and he does not plan to slow down.
“I’ve been in the game for a while now and one of the main driving things is that I’m still hungry to play otherwise I wouldn’t still be here. I don’t need any extra motivation to get fit and get strong,” Barbarouses told Neos Kosmos.
Brisbane will be wary of a visiting Wellington Phoenix which has hit a rich vein of form.
The New Zealanders are seven matches unbeaten in the league, including a midweek 3-2 win over Newcastle Jets, which has propelled them into sixth place.
The Roar needs to find a path to victory after three successive losses has seen them fall back into last position.
Adelaide United contests with Newcastle Jets at home in what should be a tricky game for both sides.
The Reds’ habit of finding late goals has helped them earn great results, ascending into third place.
The Novocastrians’ season has been up and down with their great ability to score frequently cancelled out by their leaky defence.
Jets coach Arthur Papas was very blunt about their disappointing loss to Wellington which they will need to learn from before they face Adelaide.
“Tonight, we haven’t done enough to win the game…we’ll reflect on it and keep working and correcting some things,” Mr Papas said after their match on Wednesday night.
The contest between Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City has been postponed due to scheduling issues regarding Victory’s AFC Champions league play-off with the Japanese side, Vissel Kobe.
A-League weekend fixtures currently scheduled at time of publication
Brisbane Roar-Wellington Phoenix: 17.05, Moreton Daily Stadium, Sat 12 Mar
Western United-Melbourne City: 17.05, AAMI Park, Sat 12 Mar
Perth Glory-Sydney FC: 19.05, HBF Park, Sat 12 Mar
Macarthur FC-WS Wanderers: 19.45, Campbelltown Stadium, Sat 12 Mar
