Round 7 of the 2024-25 A-League Men’s season is here and it is set to be another eventful weekend.
Will Auckland continue to make history and become the first side to win their opening six games at the Australian top-flight level?
Or will they perhaps record their first loss and lose top spot to the piping hot Melbourne Victory?
Both Melbourne City and Sydney FC hope to maintain their spots in the top six while Macarthur and the Mariners want to keep in touch with the top six.
Plus there will be a reunion in Newcastle, but not a positive one, and Western Sydney Wanderers will have the weekend off with the bye.
Here’s a recap of Round 6 and a preview of what Round 7 has to offer.
Brisbane Roar v Melbourne City
Brisbane are still looking for their first win of the season but last weekend showed some good signs after they salvaged a point courtesy of a Macarthur FC own goal in a thrilling 4-4 draw.
The Roar were on song at Campbelltown Sports Stadium early on Saturday when teenager Thomas Waddingham nailed a first-half double, but the Bulls staged a serious second-half comeback.
But Brisbane were unwilling to accept a record fifth-straight defeat.
The draw at least relieved Ruben Zadkovich of some pressure, given Brisbane had entered their away clash with zero points.
Meanwhile City are coming off a disappointing 2-0 loss at home to Western Sydney Wanderers – their first against the Wanderers at AAMI Park in the A-Leagues since 2015.
To make matters worse, they were dealt a blow before kickoff when Mat Leckie was ruled out with a hamstring complaint that threatens his availability for this game against Roar, joining fellow Socceroos Marco Tilio and Andrew Nabbout and striker Max Caputo on the unavailable list.
Auckland FC v Wellington Phoenix
The blockbuster matchup of the weekend. It’s first vs fourth in the second instalment of the New Zealand derby.
Auckland have had an inspired start to life in the competition, and last week defeated the Newcastle Jets 2-0 and set a defensive record in the process.
The victory meant Steve Corica’s side joined Western Suburbs as the only sides to win their first five games in the Australian top flight.
And in keeping a fifth consecutive clean sheet, they broke the mark Western Suburbs set in the first NSL season in 1977 for the most minutes before conceding a goal.
They now have the chance to claim the wins record outright and increase their defensive mark.
Phoenix had the bye last round after beating Melbourne Victory the week before.
Newcastle Jets v Adelaide United
Adelaide are sitting third and have yet to taste defeat this season with three wins and two draws, including last week’s 2-2 tie with Perth Glory.
The undefeated United kicked off at a blistering pace at Coopers Stadium against a Glory side who had only registered one point from their opening five games heading into the clash.
Adelaide dominated the opening 45 minutes and spent much of their time camped in Glory’s half but they failed to register a shot on target before half-time.
All eyes will be on Archie Goodwin who jumped ship to Adelaide and will meet his old side this weekend.
Newcastle was his boyhood club that he called home since Under-9s but now he’ll be in other colours when he returns to McDonald Jones Stadium.
The Jets have been struggling, losing three straight games and now sit six points outside of the top six.
Western United v Macarthur Bulls
Western United coach John Aloisi hit out at his side’s lack of intensity after their 3-1 loss to Melbourne Victory in the Westgate Derby at AAMI Park last weekend.
Without skipper Ben Garuccio, it could have been even worse for United, with their rivals spurning a multitude of chances to streak ahead, especially in the opening exchanges.
Cutting a furious figure post-game, Aloisi lamented his side’s inability to match Victory’s intensity.
He has promised fans will see a reaction when they host Macarthur, who will be lamenting the fact they dropped points to last placed Brisbane.
Macarthur, who are in touch of the top six, sitting in seventh, drew 4-4 with Roar but could have easily won had it not been for two own goals.
A slow start also cost them, which they will not want to replicate this week.
Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory
Melbourne Victory have a good chance to end the weekend top of the table.
They have won four of their past five matches following last week’s success against Western.
Scores were level 1-1 at half time until Nikos Vergas restored Victory’s lead just three minutes into the second half.
Bruno Fornaroli then sealed the result moments after coming on in the 67th minute – to a rapturous reception from the Victory faithful.
Victory are three games unbeaten against the Glory, while they have not lost at home to Perth since December 2021.
Perth are winless but last week’s 2-2 draw was encouraging after last season’s Golden Boot winner Adam Taggart scored twice.
Central Coast Mariners v Sydney FC
Both these sides did not play in Round 6 as they had AFC Champions League matches.
Central Coast will be looking to respond to their 4-0 loss to Yokohama F.Marinos in the AFC Champions League Elite.
The two-time reigning champions have not played in the A-League since November 22 when they beat the Jets 2-1.
Sydney FC play Kaya FC in the AFC Champions League Two, and were 4-2 winners over cross-town rivals Western Sydney Wanderers on November 23.
Matchday 7 – Schedule AEDT
Friday 6/12
Brisbane Roar v Melbourne City 7.35pm
Saturday 7/12
Auckland FC v Wellington Phoenix 3pm
Newcastle Jets v Adelaide United 6pm
Western United v Macarthur 6pm
Sunday 8/12
Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory 5pm
Central Coast Mariners v Sydney FC 6pm
Standings
Teams Win Draw Loss Points
1. Auckland 5.0.0.15
2. Melb Victory 4.1.1.13
3. Adelaide Utd 3.2.0.11
4. Well Phoenix 3.1.1.10
5. Melb City 3.0.2.9
6. Sydney FC 3.0.2.9
7. Macarthur 2.1.3.7
8. WS Wanderers 2.1.3.7
9. CC Mariners 1.3.1.6
10. Western Utd 1.2.3.5
11. Newcastle Jets 1.0.4.3
12. Perth Glory 0.2.4.2
13. Brisbane Roar 0.1.4.1
With AAP
