It’s the grudge match of the season. The reigning Hyundai A-League champions meet the undefeated Melbourne Victory at Etihad tonight, and all eyes will be on Besart Berisha.
The former Roar player and now Melbourne Victory star will be facing a lot of animosity on the pitch.
Brisbane Roar coach Mike Mulvey has been working hard to get the Berisha factor back in his team, and Roar youngster Dimitri Pertratos has the workings for it.
Petratos has attempted more shots without scoring than any other player this season (13).
An impending Sydney Melbourne match will have A-League fans roaring again.
Sydney FC, who have just signed Greek Australian young-gun Terry Antonis for two more years will take on a resurging Melbourne City.
City are two matches without a loss, and showed they are able to fend off tough competition when they drew 2-2 against Central Coast Mariners last week.
They have moved on from the news that Argentine midfielder Jonatan Germano will be out for the season and signed Liam Miller as an injury replacement player this week after he helped them in their Mariners match.
They like their opponents, Sydney FC have to deal with a season ending injury for impressive striker Corey Gameiro, who shattered his ACL during international duty.
They will at least get Marquee man Marc Janko and Antonis back to star in the line up this week.
Sydney FC are still on equal points with Melbourne Victory after their huge match ended in a 0-0 draw, showing no side is ready to concede.
Sky Blues coach Graham Arnold said it was a great match overall considering the changes both teams had to make to deal with international duty call-up.
“I wasn’t happy with the first half yet we could have scored three goals. The second half was much better. It was a good exciting game for the fans, heart attack stuff for the coaches, lots of chances and end to end football,” he says.
“They had chances and we had ours but the most positive thing is that’s four clean sheets in a row.”
Travelling to AMMI Park this week, the Sky Blues will be confident of bringing home a win.
It’s been a busy week for the Western Sydney Wanderers, who were playing catch up when they took on the Mariners on Wednesday.
They have another match today that could give them desperately needed points to work up towards finals material.
They got their first point of the season with the draw, and are in good stead to grab more as they take on an underperforming Newcastle Jets.
The Jets have only two points to show for their six games so far and were smashed 4-0 by bottom dwellers Brisbane Roar last week.
While they’ll be keen to get back on the horse, the current AFC Champions League title holders will have some energy in reserve for their home match.
Second on the ladder, and playing some of the best football of the season, Adelaide United will finish proceedings when they take on the Mariners.
Undefeated all season, United were able to pick up another three points at the last minute to boost them one point shy of top spot.
Sergio Cirio snatched the win at the 94th minute with a deflection from close range.
The Reds will have a bit of fun with their match this week, with the knowledge they ousted the Mariners from the FFA Cup.
United and Perth Glory are the only ones still standing at the FFA Cup, mimicking their standings in the A-League and showing they are indeed the best in the country at the moment.
The Glory have an easy match to keep their ladder position safe, as they take on fifth placed Wellington Phoenix at home.
At least for Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick, he’ll have several players back from New Zealand international duty, but will need more to supplement a tough travel schedule on top of that.
If their almost draw last week is anything to go by, Perth Glory should be weary.