The Victorian teams find themselves in the top four along with Adelaide. Brisbane are trying to hold onto a top six spot, Central Coast has launched into contention, Canberra United follows closely while Wellington hope to still make the top six.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Newcastle Jets
Western Sydney are looking to jump Newcastle and climb out of bottom position on the table.
They’ll have some new-found confidence after a shocking 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar last weekend, just their second win of the season.
A beautiful through ball from Danika Matos allowed Wanderers returning star winger Holly Caspers to squeeze home the winner in the 88th minute.
The Jets, meanwhile, are 10th and sliding down the table having not won since mid-December.
They have just 10 points, seven of those coming in the first six rounds, and since then have only notched up three of a possible 27 points.
Ryan Campbell’s side have lost four of their last five games including back-to-back defeats to Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne City heading into Round 16.
In the City defeat last weekend at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle walked away with no reward for effort on the scoreboard, despite taking 20 shots to 12.
Adelaide United v Canberra United
Resurgent Adelaide United cruised to a 3-0 win over Perth Glory last Friday to keep their spot in the top three on the table.
American recruit Erin Healy struck in the 16th minute before Chelsie Dawber doubled the lead in the 31st minute at Coopers Stadium.
Healy completed a double in the 93rd minute to strike a hammer blow to Perth’s fading finals hopes.
Last season’s wooden spooners, Adelaide (29 points) have are equal with Melbourne Victory who are second and are keeping pressure on leaders Melbourne City (36).
A top-two berth delivers a prized week off in the first week of the finals.
Adrian Stenta’s Adelaide are unbeaten in eight, winning six of those matches.
Canberra meanwhile are unbeaten in four games, clinging onto seventh spot with the intention of breaking back into the top six.
This match sees five of the league’s top scorers in action, with Canberra captain Michelle Heyman (six goals) and Adelaide’s Fiona Worts (seven goals), Emily Condon (six goals), Chelsie Dawber (six goals) and Erin Healy (five goals) all featuring.
Melbourne City v Sydney FC
It’s a grand final rematch when the unbeaten league leaders Melbourne City host strugglers Sydney FC.
City are unbeaten in 16 games, with 10 wins and six draws, one of those draws being against the Sky Blues.
In their most recent match, City had less shots then their opponent Newcastle but still claimed the three points thanks to Laura Hughes’s 69th-minute goal and a 84th-minute strike by Holly McNamara.
When City last payed Sydney, they were without star winger McNamara but she’s back from her ACL injury.
It’s been a huge fall from grace from the ALW powerhouse Sydney. The reigning champions are in dangers of dropping to the bottom of the table if they lose this weekend and their local rival the Wanderers beat the Jets.
Melbourne Victory v Central Coast Mariners
Victory are second but find themselves five points off City after back to back draws, including last week’s 1-1 tie with Wellington.
They look to keep their top two spot but they’re up against a hard to beat Central Coast, who are unbeaten in their last five matches.
The Mariners have the best defensive record in the league, conceding just 14 goals in 15 games – even less than City who have shipped 15 goals.
This top six match will be one to watch. When they last faced off in Round 4 it was a 1-1 draw.
Brisbane Roar v Western United
Brisbane were considered a genuine title contender at the end of 2024 but they’ve had a poor start to 2025, tumbling down to fifth.
It’s five losses from seven games for the Roar, including a shock 2-1 loss to last-placed Western Sydney last time out.
Western United made the most of the Roar’s slip-up, with their 2-1 win over struggling Sydney propelling them from seventh to fourth.
Kahli Mary Johnson’s 43rd-minute strike – her eighth goal of the season to now lead the Golden Boot standings – was enough to get United over the line.
While Western are in better form than Brisbane at the moment, they also will not have forgotten their 8-2 loss to them back in Round 8.
Perth Glory v Wellington Phoenix
If Wellington want to make finals, they need to start by winning against Perth this week.
Phoenix are coming off a draw with Victory last week despite having 17 shots to Victory’s nine, and are eighth after spurning a chance to jump into the top six.
Paul Temple’s side have only one win in their last five games (three losses and a draw) but they’ll be hoping a win over ninth placed Glory can get them back on track.
It’s easier said than done however, as they’ll be travelling (the longest trip in the league) to play. And the Nix’ haven’t had the best from away from home this season with 13 of their 20 points picked up at home.
There is an eight-point gap between the two teams so a win won’t see Perth jump the Kiwi’s but they can put a dent in their finals hopes.
Matchday 16 – Schedule AEDT
Friday 14/2
Western Sydney Wanderers v Newcastle Jets 7pm
Saturday 15/2
Adelaide United v Canberra United 4.50pm
Melbourne City v Sydney FC 7.45pm
Melbourne Victory v Central Coast Mariners 5pm
Sunday 16/2
Brisbane Roar v Western United 6pm
Perth Glory v Wellington Phoenix 8pm
Standings
Teams Win Draw Loss Points
1. Melb City 10.6.0.36
2. Melb Victory 8.5.2.29
3. Adelaide Utd 9.2.4.29
4. Western Utd 7.4.5.25
5. Brisbane Roar 8.0.7.24
6. Central Coast 6.6.3.24
7. Canberra Utd 6.4.5.22
8. Wellington 6.2.7.20
9. Perth Glory 3.3.9.12
10. Newcastle Jets 2.5.8.11
11. Sydney FC 2.4.9.10
12. Western Sydney 2.3.10.9
With AAP
