Western Sydney Wanderers have announced the appointment of new senior coach Josep Gombau. The Spaniard will resign as coach of the Australian U23s to take up the position. Gombau has already had success in the A-League coaching Adelaide United to an FFA Cup win. He takes over from Tony Popovic and caretaker coach Haydn Foxe.

Round five of the A-League starts on Friday night with a top of the table clash between the two Sky Blue teams Melbourne City and Sydney FC and to follow Saturday’s matches kick off in Newcastle.

Newcastle Jets v Wellington Phoenix, McDonald Stadium, Sat 4 November, 7.30 pm AEDT
Ernie Merrick’s Jets will be aiming to extend their unbeaten start to the season to five matches when the Jets host Merrick’s former club the Phoenix, who are yet to win a game this season. The Phoenix went close to breaking their duck last week when they led the Roar 3-0 at one stage before a Roar comeback clinched a point for the visitors.

Dimi Petratos is in good goal-scoring form for the Jets and he’ll be joined in the Jets’ squad this week by brother Kosta.

Perth Glory v Adelaide United, nib Stadium Perth, Sat 4 November, 7.00 pm local /10.00 pm AEDT
Both these teams will be determined to bounce back from last week when they lost 2-0 to the top two teams in the league Sydney FC and Melbourne City respectively. After a promising start, Adelaide United missed key players to injury and are still without them. Into the squad come Kristian Konstandopoulos and Ryan Strain. The Reds face a tough trip across the Nullaboor to take on a Perth Glory outfit who will be hoping marquee Diego Castro can begin to reproduce some of the form of seasons past.

Brisbane Roar v Central Coast Mariners, Suncorp Brisbane, Sun 5 November, 4.00 pm local/5.00 pm AEDT
Both these sides are desperate for a first win of the season. The 38-year-old Italian striker Massimo Maccarone has turned back the hands of time scoring four A-League goals including a brace in last week’s draw against Phoenix. The Mariner’s leaky defence will have to be on their guard. The Roar welcomes back the exciting Corey Gameiro after a long injury lay-off.

Melbourne Victory v Western Sydney Wanderers, Etihad Melbourne, Mon 6 Nov, 7.50 pm AEDT
The Cup eve tie brings together two teams which each drew 1-1 last week. Victory is yet to notch up a win this season and they will have to attempt this feat against a strong Wanderers outfit. Victory’s task will be all the more difficult given Berisha is suspended and his attack-minded teammates, Troisi and Barbarouses will both be missing due to international duties.

Victory coach Kevin Muscat may have to call on the inexperienced Pierce Waring and Kenny Athiu to play some attacking role in the game.