Melbourne Victory kick off round six by hosting Wellington on Friday before Western Sydney look to break through for their first win against Western United at home on Saturday. Top-three teams Brisbane Roar and Central Coast face off, while table leader Melbourne City look to continue their red-hot form against Canberra. Sydney play Newcastle and Perth host Adelaide on Sunday.
Melbourne Victory v Wellington Phoenix
If Melbourne Victory win in the opening match of Round 6, they can jump cross town rivals Melbourne City to the top of the table.
In huge boost, Matildas stars Emily Gielnik and Alex Chidiac are available again after their two-week break for international duty.
Gielnik will be especially key, as equal top scorer in the league after five rounds, with six goals to her name.
“The dog’s not got the headlines, Annalie’s got the headlines. It’s good.” – Wellington coach Paul Temple praised his captain Annalie Longo after her double launched the Phoenix to an upset 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar.
Longo had been out of action since round three, having suffered a gruesome facial injury against Newcastle moments after her dog Tiger invaded the pitch.
The Phoenix head into this clash in good form after back-to-back wins and Longo has been key to that.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Western United
Western Sydney are the only team yet to secure a win after Melbourne City condemned them to their fourth loss of the season.
They are last on the table, with just one point and have scored just two goals and conceded 11, the worst goal difference in the league.
With a team-wide shooting accuracy of just 37.8 per cent, Western Sydney are the least-accurate team in the league.
Adding to their woes, the Wanderers have again lost Holly Caspers to a right foot injury, which she did in less than 10 minutes in her return game.
Western United on the other hand are fresh off defeating reigning champs Sydney last round.
Star substitute Kiara de Domizio scored with her first touch to launch Western United to a 2-1 win over reigning champions Sydney FC. De Domizio netted 21 seconds after coming on for Keiwa Hieda in the 88th minute.
It was a statement win that launched them into the top six and they are looking like a finals contender again in their third season.
Brisbane Roar v Central Coast Mariners
Brisbane Roar are set for a massive boost with the return of Matildas duo Sharn Freier and Tameka Yallop.
Both played great in their international duties but were missed by their Roar teammates last round in a 2-1 loss to Wellington. A win would have seen them back on top the table.
At full flight, this team is hard to stop with their fearsome attacking power that has scored the second most goals so far (11).
They’ll be up against Central Coast who are one of two unbeaten sides remaining this season with two wins and three draws.
Mariners have conceded just five goals as one of the best defensive teams and welcome back their own Matildas star in Jessika Nash.
What will happen when one of the best attacking sides meets one of the top defensive units?
Sydney FC v Newcastle Jets
Who can step it up for Sydney FC? The reigning champions sit 10th with just four points from their opening five games after their loss to Western United.
Ante Juric’s side need to get moving, and soon, if they are to return to the finals to defend their title.
This week’s clash with ninth-placed Newcastle is crucial if they want to swing momentum.
Should Sydney star Princess Ibini play, the 24-year-old will break the club’s all-time appearance record of 145 set by legendary midfielder Teresa Polias.
Newcastle hope to keep in touch with the top six and will be boosted by the return of Matildas debutant Natasha Prior.
Like the Sky Blues, the Jets only have one win this season after suffering a 2-0 loss to Adelaide last round.
Melbourne City v Canberra United
Melbourne City are back after a weekend off and hope to keep top spot on the table and extend their unbeaten run to six games when they welcome Canberra United to AAMI Park.
City have scored the most goals (13) of any team and conceded just seven to have an equal league-high goal difference.
They have been the standout side so far this season and off-season signing Lourdes Bosh has been a revelation.
The winger has put three goals and two assists on the board in just four games, with her 12 dribbles completed the second-most of any player in the league to date, behind Adelaide’s Erin Healy (13).
City also welcome back four Matildas in Leah Davidson, Laura Hughes, Bryleeh Henry and Karly Roestbakken while Canberra have their own big inclusion in Michelle Heyman.
The star striker was missed but has been quiet to start the season with one goal and one assist, but last season’s Golden Boot winner is expected to pick up the pace soon and could start a good run of form.
Perth Glory v Adelaide United
Adelaide have risen this season and find themselves in the top four at the moment.
The Reds finished season 2023-24 dead last with just 15 points and already have nine after five games this season.
Central to this early success is Fiona Worts.
Worts is on fire. The Englishwoman scored twice against Newcastle last week to lead Adelaide to their third win of the season.
She shares the lead on the Golden Boot chart, with Melbourne Victory’s Emily Gielnik, on six goals.
Adelaide will face a Perth Glory side that is leaking goals.
However 11 of the 12 goals conceded were in the first three rounds and they have been harder to score against since Casey Dumont game in to the side.
She’s conceded just two goals in two games and saved a penalty last week in a close 1-0 loss to Melbourne Victory.
Matchday 6 – Schedule AEDT
Friday 13/12
Melbourne Victory v Wellington Phoenix 7pm
Saturday 14/12
Western Sydney Wanderers v Western United 4.50pm
Brisbane Roar v Central Coast Mariners 6pm
Sydney FC v Newcastle Jets 7.45pm
Sunday 15/12
Melbourne City v Canberra United 7.45pm
Perth Glory v Adelaide United 8pm (5pm local)
Standings
Teams Win Draw Loss Points
1. Melb City 3.2.0.11
2. Melb Victory 3.1.1.10
3. Brisbane Roar 3.0.2.9
4. Adelaide Utd 3.0.2.9
5. Central Coast 2.3.0.9
6. Western Utd 2.1.1.8
7. Canberra Utd 2.1.2.7
8. Wellington 2.0.3.6
9. Newcastle 1.2.2.5
10. Sydney FC 1.1.3.4
11. Perth Glory 1.1.3.4
12. Western Sydney 0.1.2.1
With AAP
