Cortnee Vine, Jada Whyman and Sydney FC will host Chloe Logarzo’s Western United in a huge clash of third vs first on Saturday.
Read our full preview of the weekend’s action below.
The round begins with the Distance Derby on Friday night, with Perth Glory hosting Wellington Phoenix on Friday, 10pm AEDT. Both sides have followed a similar trajectory this season – fast starts, with faltering recent form. However, there is hope for the home side, who only sit outside of the top six on goal difference. Three points against the Phoenix would go a long way to helping them stand a chance of sneaking into a place in the finals.
Canberra United take on Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday, 3pm AEDT. It is a clash between two of the most in-form strikers in the country – Michelle Heyman and Sophie Harding. The match also presents an opportunity for the Wanderers to slip back into the top six, or for Canberra United to get themselves off the bottom of the table. Whatever the result, it is a game that all signs point towards being full of goals.
Brisbane Roar take on the Central Coast Mariners on Saturday, 4pm AEDT. It is, again, a game that will be very consequential come the end of the season. The Mariners are currently in fifth, four points clear of falling out of finals positions, but have clubs hot on their tail. Meanwhile, after their win against Melbourne City last week, the Roar are only four points away – three points against the Mariners could be another massive step towards a late finals push.
Tameka Yallop will be hoping to continue her fantastic form as the Roar look to push up the table. Meanwhile, Kyah Simon has been looking better with every week, and will be front and centre as the Mariners fight to finish in the top six in their first season back in the competition.
The headline of the round is top-of-the-table Western United travelling to take on defending premiers and champions Sydney FC on Saturday, 7pm AEDT. Western will be out for revenge after losing to Sydney earlier in the season, and of course, falling to them in last season’s final. A win for the visitors would see them finish the round four points on top of the table with only three games remaining and would mean they were in the box seat to finish premiers.
For Sydney’s part, they are currently five points away from the league leaders – but with a game in hand. The premiership is theoretically in their own hands – win every remaining game of the season, including this weekend, and the trophy will be theirs. In a league as unpredictable as the A-League Women, however, and with six players away with the CommBank Young Matildas in Uzbekistan, that is no easy feat.
Cortnee Vine will be central to Sydney’s attacking play in this fixture. Jada Whyman has an outstanding 80% save percentage this season, and is a key part of the reason Sydney FC have only conceded 12 goals – far and away the best defensive record in the league. She will be hoping to keep out the likes of Chloe Logarzo on the other side, whose combination with American striker Hannah Keane has been a highlight of their run to the summit of the ladder.
Sunday begins with Melbourne City looking to arrest their recent decline in form against the Newcastle Jets at 5pm AEDT. Both teams will consider themselves unlucky last week – City hit the woodwork four times in their 2-0 loss to Brisbane, while the Jets’ 41 shots only yielded one goal in their 1-1 draw with Perth. Newcastle will be hoping for three points to stave off challenges from the Glory and the Wanderers in the top six race.
Adelaide United host Melbourne Victory in the final game of the round on Sunday, 7.30pm AEDT. Adelaide were not far off the pace last week against the Mariners and, although not mathematically out of the finals race, at this stage of the season are largely playing to ensure that they avoid the wooden spoon. Meanwhile, Victory find themselves six points off the top of the table, and five points clear of sixth – a win ensures they continue their good form heading into a finals series they look increasingly assured of being a part of.
Lydia Williams remains unavailable for Victory, still recovering from ankle surgery. Elise Kellond-Knight has returned to the extended squad after picking up a minor niggle last week to potentially line up with Alex Chidiac in midfield. Emily Gielnik will hope to continue her superb form up top. Meanwhile, Adelaide are bolstered by the return of Young Matilda Emilia Murray after four months of injury.
You can watch all of the A-League Women’s action live and free on 10Play, or Paramount+.