Western United host Newcastle in a crucial match. Wellington hopes to jump back into the top six while Central Coast and Adelaide battle to stay there. Brisbane may have another demolition in sight when they play lowly Canberra. A grand final rematch and a chance for Victory to bridge the gap with City.
Western United v Newcastle Jets
Both sides need a win here.
Western United are coming off their biggest defeat ever after losing to Brisbane 8-2 last week and are clinging onto their spot in the top six.
Newcastle are eighth and two points behind Western, having won just one of their past five games (two draws and two losses).
This will be the Jets first trip to Tarneit since last season’s elimination final when they stunned United 4-2 after extra time. The two sides also met in November for a 1-1 draw.
Wellington Phoenix v Perth Glory
Wellington came all so close to beating the unbeaten reigning premiers Melbourne City, with their 2-1 loss ending a four-game unbeaten streak.
Now they sit one point outside the top six but being back home and still in good form will see them confident when they come up against Perth Glory.
Glory have lost their last two matches against the New Zealanders and are coming into this game in poorer form, just one win in their last five, but aren’t too far off Wellington in the standings.
Central Coast Mariners v Adelaide United
It’s a top six clash when fourth placed Central Coast Mariners host fifth placed Adelaide United in Gosford.
History favours Central Coast in this one. The Mariners have won their last five against the Reds, with four clean sheets and a total 18 goals.
Following two losses in a row, the NSW team are now on a two-match unbeaten streak, a 1-0 win over Perth and 0-0 draw with City in the past week.
Adelaide on the other hand snapped a two-game losing run when they beat Western Sydney 1-0 last week.
Brisbane Roar v Canberra United
Brisbane are roaring and should have the rest of the competition afraid.
They sit second after two demolition jobs, beating Newcastle 6-1 and Western United 8-2.
Sisters Laini and Sharn Freier have played a key role, with Laini becoming the first player in ALW history to score back-to-back hat tricks, whole Sharn has scored twice in the two games.
It would be an astounding upset if Canberra United, who are 10th, beat the Roar which would also see them end a six-game winless streak.
Sydney FC v Melbourne City
It’s a grand final rematch between the two-time reigning champions Sydney FC and Melbourne City.
A lot has changed since last season’s grand final where Sydney beat City, as Melbourne are now leading the way in 2024-25 while the Sky Blues are the cellar dwellers.
Ante Juric’s new-look side are struggling and have just the one win, in the third round.
Sydney have lost four straight games, though the last time these teams met in November it ended 1-1.
Melbourne Victory v Western Sydney Wanderers
Melbourne Victory host Western Sydney Wanderers as they hope to close the gap on rivals City.
The Melburnians are on a six-game undefeated streak and sit in third place – one point off Brisbane and four behind City, but they have played one less game than the table leaders.
Last time these two teams met in February, Emily Gielnik’s had a memorable double, featuring a stunning long-range effort.
The Wanderers are second last with just one win this season.
Matchday 10 – Schedule AEDT
Friday 3/1
Western United v Newcastle Jets 7pm
Saturday 4/1
Wellington Phoenix v Perth Glory 2pm
Central Coast Mariners v Adelaide United 5pm
Brisbane Roar v Canberra United 6pm
Sunday 5/1
Sydney FC v Melbourne City 5pm
Melbourne Victory v Western Sydney Wanderers 5pm
Midweek will also see matches for Matchday 9
Wednesday 8/1
Newcastle vs Adelaide 5.30pm
Brisbane vs Melb Victory 7pm
Thursday 9/1
Western Sydney vs Wellington 7pm
Standings
Teams Win Draw Loss Points
1. Melb City 6.3.0.21
2. Brisbane Roar 6.0.2.18
3. Melb Victory 5.2.1.17
4. CC Mariners 3.4.2.13
5. Adelaide Utd 4.0.4.12
6. Western Utd 3.2.3.11
7. Well Phoenix 3.1.3.10
8. Newcastle Jets 2.3.3.9
9. Perth Glory 2.2.4.8
10. Canberra Utd 2.2.4.8
11. WS Wanderers 1.2.5.5
12. Sydney FC 1.1.6.4
