08 Feb Round 18 A-League preview

Round 18 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:

Brisbane Roar v Sydney FC
Friday February 8th, Suncorp Stadium 7:50pm AEDST

Brisbane Roar host Sydney FC to kick off Round 18 with both clubs having very contrasting seasons.

The Roar are languishing in second last with just one win next to their name that came way back on November 24th.

They were on their way to breaking that winless drought against Adelaide, only to squander a 3-0 lead and lose 4-3 in remarkable second half collapse.

Sydney clinically took care of Melbourne City 2-0 last week to remain one-point below Melbourne Victory in third position.

The Sky Blues should be too strong for the struggling Queenslanders.

*Tip: Brisbane Roar 0 Sydney FC 3

Western Sydney Wanderers v Central Coast Mariners
*Saturday February 9th, Spotless Stadium, 5:35pm AEDST

Western Sydney and Central Coast will see this match as an opportunity to record a desperately needed win to lift the spirits approaching the final third of the campaign.

The struggling duo have won just three games between them all season and are in a battle to avoid the embarrassment of a bottom-placed finish.

The Wanderers were hammered 5-1 by Newcastle last week to heap further pressure on embattled boss Markus Babbel, while the Mariners were gallant in their 3-2 defeat to Melbourne Victory.

Mike Mulvey’s men have improved in recent weeks and a win here will inch them closer to moving off the bottom of the A-League table.

Tip: Western Sydney Wanderers 1 Central Coast Mariners 2

Melbourne City v Adelaide United
Saturday February 9th, AAMI Park, 7:50pm AEDST Live on SEN+

Socceroos striker Jamie Maclaren will make his anticipated debut for Melbourne City in their vital game against Adelaide United.

It’s a match that holds huge significance with the fourth-placed Reds holding a two-point lead over fifth placed City, who fell out of the top four last week after a 2-0 loss to Sydney.

Adelaide snatched victory from the jaws of defeat after recovering from a 3-0 deficit to win 4-3 against Brisbane in an extraordinary match.

The addition of Maclaren will inspire Warren Joyce’s men to a vital three points.

Tip: Melbourne City 2 Adelaide United 1

Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory
*Saturday February10th, AAMI Park, 5:00pm AEDST

Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory lock horns in a blockbuster top-of-the-table clash that could decide who will win this year’s Premiers Plate.

The Glory sit four points at the A-League summit and are unbeaten in their last eight games heading into Sunday’s match.

A win for Tony Popovic’s men will increase their lead to seven points while a Victory triumph will cut the gap to just one-point.

Victory coach Kevin Muscat could call on marquee star Keisuke Honda who hasn’t played since Round 8, as they look to break down a watertight Glory defence that hasn’t conceded in four games.

In-form striker Ola Toivonen has been in red hot form in recent weeks and could prove to be the match-winner for the reigning champions.

Tip: Melbourne Victory 2 Perth Glory 1

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