22 Feb Round 20 A-League preview

Round 20 of the A-League is upon us with some fascinating fixtures to look forward to in what should be another action-packed weekend of football.

Here’s a preview of this weekend’s A-League matches:

Central Coast v Brisbane Roar
Friday February 22nd, Central Coast Stadium, 7:50pm AEDST

It’s the battle of the cellar dwellers to kick off Round 20 in the A-League when Central Coast host Brisbane.

Both clubs will be looking to avoid a last-place finish and the unwarranted tag of wooden spooners for the 2018/19 season.

The Mariners are coming off a well-deserved 1-1 draw against Sydney FC, while the Roar were torn apart by runaway leaders Perth Glory in a 4-0 rout.

A win for Mike Mulvey’s side would close the gap between them and Brisbane to just two points at the bottom of the league standings.

Tip: Central Coast Mariners 2 Brisbane Roar 1

Wellington Phoenix v Sydney FC
Saturday February 23rd, Campelltown Stadium, 5:35 pm AEDST

Wellington host Sydney in Campbelltown due to venue constraints in New Zealand.

The Phoenix will look to temporarily increase the gap between them and sixth-placed Newcastle to nine points.

Steve Corica’s side need to return to winning ways after dropping valuable points against strugglers Central Coast.

Mark Rudan's men upset the third-placed Sky Blues 3-1 in their latest meeting and will be hoping for a similar result to further cement their top-six position.

Tip: Wellington 2 Sydney 2

Melbourne Victory v Melbourne City
*Saturday February 23rd, Marvel Stadium, 7:50pm AEDST

Melbourne Victory will look to get the better of rivals Melbourne City for the first time this A-League campaign.

City defeated the Victory in the opening round of the season, before a late header from Dario Vidosic goal earned his side a share of the spoils in their annual Christmas fixture.

Kevin Muscat’s men cannot afford another slip up as they continue to lose ground on league leaders Perth Glory, while City are looking to break a four-game winless run to ease the pressure on embattled coach Warren Joyce.

With Keisuke Honda set to start and Ola Toivonen inching closer to a return, the reigning champions could heap more misery on their struggling foes.

Tip: Melbourne Victory 3 Melbourne City 1

Newcastle Jets v Adelaide United
*Saturday February 24th, McDonald Jones Stadium, 5:00pm AEDST

Newcastle will hope to keep their finals hopes alive against Adelaide United on Sunday.

Ernie Merrick’s charges scored a 3-1 win over Melbourne City to rekindle their hopes of a top-six finish.

The Jets game against United will be their fourth in 12 days after their two-legged Asian Champions League playoff against Kashima Antlers.

Adelaide slumped to a disappointing 3-1 loss to Western Sydney and will be keen for a positive response to secure a top-four spot.

Tip: Newcastle Jets 2 Adelaide United 2

Western Sydney Wanderers v Perth Glory
*Sunday February 24th, Spotless Stadium, 7:00pm AEDST

A rejuvenated Western Sydney face a Perth Glory unbeaten in 10 games and marching towards the minor premiership.

The Wanderers upset Adelaide 3-1 in their last outing to make it back-to-back wins, but have their work cut out against the league leaders who dispatched Brisbane 4-0 in swashbuckling fashion.

Glory coach Tony Popovic returns to the Wanderers for the first time in what looms as a potential banana skin away from home.

It could be another entertaining contest between the two teams, after Markus Babbel’s men blew a 3-1 up in their previous meeting to lose 4-3 in dramatic circumstances.

Tip: Western Sydney 1 Perth Glory 2

A-League preview for Fujitsu
Experience year-round comfort with Fujitsu, Australia’s Favourite Air