Brisbane Roar vs Melbourne Victory
KO: 7:30pm AEST, Friday 25 October 2019
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Melbourne Victory travel to Brisbane hoping for their wist win of the 2019/20 A-League campaign. The Victory have struggled to find flair and fluidity under Marco Kurz, and defensive errors proved costly in round 2.
Elvis Kamsoba produced another exciting performance at the Marvel Stadium last Friday and Victory supporters will be hoping that Andrew Nabbout rediscovers his top form.
Victory’s unavailability list continues to grow with Matt Action (shoulder), Tim Hoogland (quad), Robbie Kruse (hamstring), Birkan Kirdar (international duty), Anthony Lesiotis (illness) and Brandon Lauton (illness) all out for the clash.
The Roar’s spirited second half performance in round 1 caught the eye of many viewers and Roy O’Donovan will be hoping to add to his tally after scoring the injury-time equaliser.
Robbie Fowler will be optimistic his side get their first three points of the season and will rely on stellar displays from Aiden O’Neill and Jay O’Shea. Jack Hingert will miss out again with a knee injury.
Players to watch: Roy O’Donovan (Brisbane Roar), Elvis Kamsoba (Melbourne Victory)
Score prediction: Brisbane Roar 1-1 Melbourne Victory
Newcastle Jets vs Adelaide United
KO: 5:00pm AEST, Saturday 26 October 2019
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium
Adelaide are the FFA Cup Champions once again. The Reds head to Newcastle with the wind in their sails after a thrilling FFA Cup triumph.
Al Hassan Toure inspired the Reds on Wednesday evening in a man of the match performance. The Mark Viduka Medalist was on the bench at AAMI Park and made an immediate impact when he entered the field of play. He is a certain starter for Adelaide this weekend.
Riley McGree has been a catalyst in midfield for Adelaide and has scored in each of his last two games. United are boosted by the return of Ryan Strain from suspension, and George Blackwood, Mirko Boland and Ben Halloran from injury.
The Jets dominated proceedings against Central Coast Mariners last weekend, however, were unable to get the victory. A retaken Dimi Petratos penalty was their sole goal of the game and will be relying on Panamanian striker Abdiel Arroyo to open his account.
The form of Steven Ugarkovic and Dimi Petratos will be essential for the Jets this season and manager Ernie Merrick will be determined for a better result.
Players to watch: Steven Ugarkovic (Newcastle Jets), Al Hassan Toure (Adelaide United)
Score prediction: Newcastle Jets 2-2 Adelaide United
Western Sydney Wanderers vs Sydney FC
KO: 7:30pm AEST, Saturday 26 October 2019
Venue: Bankwest Stadium
The fixture that everyone has been waiting for is now officially sold out!
Since January 2014, Western Sydney Wanderers have defeated Sydney once in 17 fixtures; their last victory coming way back in February 2017.
However, there is a newfound optimism in the Wanderers camp as they hope to maintain their promising start to the season. The inclusion of Nicolai Muller will give Western Sydney extra substance in attack, and the prospect of him teaming up with ex-Frankfurt teammate Alexander Meier will excite Wanderers fans.
Both Bruce Kamau and Patrick Ziegler return from injury and are included in the squad.
Sydney will be eager to continue their derby dominance over their Western rivals and have won 5 out of the last fixtures. Alex Baumjohann will receive a hostile reception as he returns to play against the side he scored in the derby for last season.
Players to watch: Nicolai Muller (Western Sydney Wanderers), Alex Baumjohann (Sydney FC)
Score prediction: Western Sydney Wanderers 2-1 Sydney FC
Wellington Phoenix vs Perth Glory
KO: 4:00pm AEST, Sunday 27 October 2019
Venue: Westpac Stadium
Gary Hooper has been included in Wellington Phoenix’s squad for the ‘distance derby’. Hooper, arriving off the back of a Championship season with Sheffield Wednesday, will take to the field at the Westpac Stadium for the first time on Saturday.
Wellington will be excited to integrate their new signing into the squad this week. The Nix have scored once this season and will be hoping Gary Hooper provides much needed attacking flair.
Reigning Premiers Perth Glory have had a slow start to their 2019/20 campaign, with high profile attackers Diego Castro and Bruno Fornaroli producing lacklustre performances.
Tony Popovic’s son, Kristian Popovic, earned his father’s side a point away at Western United last week. The big question Glory fans will be wondering is if Tony Popovic will replace marquee man Fornaroli with his 18 year-old son.
Ivan Franjic, Brandon Wilson and Tomislav Mrcela have all been included in the squad to face Wellington.
Players to watch: Gary Hooper (Wellington Phoenix), Kristian Popovic (Perth Glory)
Score prediction: Wellington Phoenix 0-2 Perth Glory
Western United vs Melbourne City FC
KO: 6:00pm AEST, Sunday 27 October 2019
Venue: GMHBA Stadium
The inaugural Western United vs Melbourne City derby will be held at the GMHBA Stadium on Sunday evening, with both teams heading into the fixture undefeated in the league season.
United frontman Besart Berisha will be hoping to haunt the side he scored nine times against when playing in navy blue. Berisha, 34, has one goal so far this season and was a constant menace to the Perth Glory defence last weekend. How the City defence mark Berisha will be key to their chances of winning the contest.
Valentino Yuel (ankle), Luke Duzel (international duty) and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (calf) remain unavailable.
Melbourne City were humiliated by Adelaide United in the FFA Cup Final on Wednesday night. There are serious questions amongst the City faithful surrounding goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis whose mistakes cost City dearly midweek. Tom Glover is the other alternative goalkeeper that City could opt for on Sunday.
Florin Bereguer continues his spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury and Javier Cabrera comes back into selection contention after missing the FFA Cup Final with a minor knock.
With Erick Mombaerts’ philosophy, it is clear to see Melbourne City’s games will involve plenty of goals this year. We could be in for a thriller come Sunday!
Will City have a cup hangover or bounce back in style?
Players to watch: Besart Berisha (Western United), Dean Bouzanis (Melbourne City FC)
Score prediction: Western United 2-3 Melbourne City FC
Central Coast Mariners BYE
