The opportunity to all but end the title chances of the Brisbane Roar presents itself to the National Youth League-leading Central Coast Mariners.
National Youth League Week 14 preview
Central Coast Mariners v Brisbane Roar
Pluim Park, Friday 5.30pm
The opportunity to all but end the title chances of the Brisbane Roar presents itself to the National Youth League-leading Central Coast Mariners.
Coming into the clash on the back of five consecutive wins, the Mariners host the Roar at Pluim Park, having lost their just once in seven outings this season.
They thrashed the AIS last week, and have been led by the likes of Justin Hayward and Mitchell Duke (six goals each) throughout the campaign.
The Roar are a dangerous if inconsistent outfit, and they face a must-win as a loss would leave them nine points adrift of the Mariners – albeit with a game in hand.
Sydney FC v Newcastle Jets
WIN Jubilee, Saturday 5pm
Just as Sydney FC looked to be getting their campaign back on track with a win over the Melbourne Heart, they suffered defeats at the hands of Gold Coast United and the lowly Melbourne Victory.
Now, they find themselves in the congested middle part of the table ahead of their clash against a team in the same area – the Newcastle Jets.
Sydney FC forward Mitchell Mallia returned to goalscoring ways against the Victory, netting his 13th goal of the campaign.
The Jets secured a hard-fought draw against the Roar last time out, and must find a way of scoring more freely when striker Chris Payne (nine goals) is not on the scoresheet.
Adelaide United v AIS
Burton Park, Saturday 11am
This shapes as an opportunity for both Adelaide United and AIS to move well clear – and almost out of reach of – the bottom-placed Melbourne Victory.
The AIS enter this clash on the back of three consecutive defeats, but meet an Adelaide side whose home record does not make for pleasant reading.
With just one win from seven when hosting, United have struggled at home, although they face an out-of-sorts AIS side.
The AIS are winless in four, however, Adelaide are a less frightening proposition than the imposing Central Coast Mariners, who thrashed them 4-0 on Saturday.
Gold Coast United v Perth Glory
Owen Park, Saturday 4pm
Perth Glory are well and truly in the title hunt, but reigning champions Gold Coast United have proven to be tricky opposition throughout the season.
Sitting two points off the league-leading Mariners with a game in hand, Glory are well positioned heading into the closing stages of the season.
Led by the likes of Ndumba Makeche (seven goals) and Jesse Makarounas (four), Glory are unbeaten in nine matches, although three of their last four have ended in draws.
Gold Coast have collected 12 of a possible 15 points at home, and could put a serious dent in Glory’s title chances.
Melbourne Victory v Melbourne Heart
Kingston Heath, Sunday 3pm
The Victory surprisingly enter the second Youth League Melbourne derby in better form than rivals Heart.
Darren Davies’ side are bottom but have won two of their last four outings.
Forward Luke O’Dea has been a consistent contributor for Victory this season, and he will be vital if they are to overcome the Heart.
John Aloisi’s men won the first derby 2-0, but after leading the league and looking like title challengers, are now winless in six.
Forward Zac Walker (six goals) has been a super-sub this campaign, while the left-sided Craig Goodwin has impressed in recent weeks.
