The Melbourne derby is set for its third fixture this season and, with a surging City outfit reaching huge heights of late, the league is depending on Victory to stymie their premiership push.
The reigning premiers, currently eight points ahead in first, will hope to get maximum points in the biggest fixture of the A-League’s 23rd round, as they fight their way to back-to-back premierships.
Their nearest rivals on the ladder, Western United, will strive to win their own game against Wellington Phoenix to keep in the title race with City.
A rejuvenated Central Coast side battles Sydney FC in a crucial match for both side’s finals aspirations, while Adelaide collides with Macarthur FC.
Arthur Papas’ Newcastle team takes on a down-on-their-luck Perth Glory and Western Sydney faces Brisbane Roar in a must-win contest for both clubs.
Adelaide United aims to end their recent bad form when they host Macarthur FC on Friday night.
The Reds have earned one point in their last four outings, seeing them fall to fifth place, which they will be desperate to rectify in their remaining games.
The Campbelltown side find themselves only one point ahead of the South Australians and so have all the motivation they need to keep their opponents at bay.
Melbourne Victory faces their bitter rivals, Melbourne City, in a Saturday night blockbuster which could be the deciding match for the premiership this season.
The current champions have been in superb form, defeating Wellington and Sydney FC 0-6 and 4-0 in their last two matches, which they will hope to translate into this weekend’s derby.
Victory manager Tony Popovic has faith in his team to challenge their crosstown rivals, looking to their draw against them a few weeks ago as an indication of his club’s quality.
“It was only recent and we had a draw and played very well so we have another opportunity now, difficult circumstances but a chance to show once again that we’re a good side,” Mr Popovic said after their 0-1 midweek win over Perth Glory.
Western United battles a Wellington Phoenix side which is experiencing shockingly bad form of late, something which they will hope to overturn quickly.
The Phoenix have lost 0-6 and 5-0 against Melbourne City and Central Coast respectively, making them perfect opponents for a Western side which is looking to keep in contention for the premiership.
Central Coast clashes at home with Sydney FC as the Sky Blues look to maximise their few A-League games before the AFC Champions League group stage.
The Gosford team has gone seven matches unbeaten, seeing them rise firmly in the race for finals football.
The Sydneysiders will be wary of their opponents, who would jump them on the ladder should they win, and their captain, Alex Wilkinson, stressed the importance of getting maximum points.
“The next two games are must-wins basically, we have to get six points from that so we’ll regroup and do our analysis, get back to Sydney and work on beating the Mariners on Saturday,” Wilkinson said following their 4-0 defeat to City on Wednesday.
Western Sydney meets Brisbane Roar at home in a high-stakes season-defining match for both teams’ top six aspirations.
The Wanderers and the Roar are both on 20 points, meaning that the winner would not only still be in the fight for top six but they would be resigning their opponents to a likely finished season.
Newcastle plays Perth Glory on Sunday afternoon in the round’s final game, with the Jets looking to extend their opponent’s misery in order to further their cause for a top six finish.
The Glory are striving to break their eleven-match winless run to secure a positive conclusion to an otherwise dreadful campaign.
A-League Round 23 fixtures currently scheduled at time of publication
Adelaide United-Macarthur FC: 19.45, Fri 08 Apr
Western United-Wellington Phoenix: 14.05, Sat 09 Apr
WS Wanderers-Brisbane Roar: 17.05, Sat 09 Apr
CC Mariners-Sydney FC: 19.45, Sat 09 Apr
Melbourne Victory-Melbourne City: 19.45, Sat 09 Apr
Newcastle Jets-Perth Glory: 16.05, Sun 10 Apr
