Round 14 of A-League Women’s action sees a Big Blue stacked with up to six CommBank Matildas, and an F3 Derby that could have a significant impact on the top six.
See our preview of the weekend’s fixtures below.
On Thursday evening, Western United continued their tremendous record against Melbourne teams, defeating Melbourne City 3-1. Last season’s Golden Boot winner Hannah Keane scored her first brace of the season while Young Matilda Kahli Johnson – coming off the bench in the second half on her return from injury – made it three. Chloe Logarzo played the full match and was heavily involved in the action, including assisting Keane’s second goal.
The traditional 26 January Big Blue kicks off on Friday, 5pm AEDT between Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC. Only four points separate the two rivals but the table is extremely tight – a failure to win for Victory could see them drop out of the top six entirely, while three points for Sydney would see them leapfrog Western United back into second place.
Jada Whyman and Cortnee Vine are expected to start for the defending champions. Vine has been in encouraging form since her return to injury and Whyman has been in command of the back line with the best defensive record in the league.
For Victory, Lydia Williams returns to the extended squad after injury kept her out of the previous two matches. Alex Chidiac is expected to start in midfield while Elise Kellond-Knight is in the extended squad after missing out last week. Emily Gielnik is expected to continue to increase her match minutes after scoring the dramatic late winner against Canberra.
On Saturday, 5pm AEDT, the Western Sydney Wanderers host Tameka Yallop’s Brisbane Roar. The Wanderers are on a four-game winning run that few would have expected at the start of the season – they now sit fifth on the table, with a game in hand on the teams around them. A win could see them sit as high as second on the ladder at the end of the round. The Roar, meanwhile, have only won once since round two of the season and will need a win to get back into the top-six conversation.
Adelaide United take on Perth Glory on Saturday, 5.30pm AEDT. Adelaide are currently bottom of the table and in desperate need of a morale-boosting three points, while Perth Glory could re-take second position with a win. Perth have been struggling to recapture the early season form that saw them shoot to the summit of the ladder and will be hoping to find that form again on Saturday.
The Wellington Phoenix host Canberra United on Sunday, 3pm AEDT. The Phoenix will be buoyed by the home game, given that their home form has been much stronger than their away form. However, they face a Canberra side who boast the two players on equal-first in the Golden Boot standings - Michelle Heyman and Vesna Milivojevic. Keeping them quiet will be key if the Phoenix are to pick up three points in front of their home fans.
Finally, in a crucial F3 Derby, the Newcastle Jets take on the Central Coast Mariners on Sunday, 5pm AEDT. The teams currently sit eighth and seventh on the ladder respectively, meaning that a win for either side could have crucial ramifications for the top six race. Kyah Simon continues to be named in the Mariners extended squad but is yet to appear on the pitch this season.
You can catch all of the action on 10Play or Paramount+.