A-League, W-League previews: The round’s match ups across the men’s and women’s draws

A familiar name is favourite to secure a fourth Golden Boot – but a dark horse could yet turn the race upside down. Check out the full preview for each match in the A-League Men and Women.

Aleksandar Prijovic. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty

They are the players who trade in football’s most valuable currency, and the race to win the A-League’s Golden Boot is hotting up.

While two familiar names in former winners Jamie Maclaren and Bruno Fornaroli are in the top five top scorers currently this season, three more surprising figures have also hit rich form in front of goal.

Triple Golden Boot winner Maclaren is top of the pile with 10 goals in 13 games, setting the standard once more, but behind him is Georgian forward Beka Mikeltadze with seven in 10 for Newcastle.

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Adelaide’s Craig Goodwin is third with six goals in 10 games, while Brisbane forward Nikola Mileusnic and Fornaroli are joint fourth with five goals in 11 and nine games respectively.

Former Irish international striker Roy O’Donovan, who scored almost 60 goals for three A-League clubs, believes Maclaren is the “nailed on” favourite to secure a fourth Golden Boot – but a dark horse could yet turn the race upside down.

BELOW: A-LEAGUE MEN AND WOMEN’S ROUND PREVIEW

Jamie Maclaren (Melbourne City)

“He’s very much a final-third player, it’s all about the movement and being in the right place at the right time with Jamie,” said O’Donovan.

“Every year he’s consistently at or close to double figures by halfway and very often ends up going on to 20 goals, it’s phenomenal consistency. That’s why he’s the favourite, and that form is good news for the Socceroos.”

Jamie Maclaren is chasing his fourth Golden Boot award. Picture: Mackenzie Sweetnam/Getty

Beka Mikeltadze (Newcastle Jets)

“I think he’s a great signing for the Jets because he’s only 24 and not even at his peak yet,” O’Donovan said. “Most foreign signings in the A-League tend to be players at the end of or at least late on in their careers.

“Mikeltadze is a very clever player, drops into grey areas that are hard for defenders to follow, almost like a No 10. I’ve not seen yet that he has the presence to be an out and out No 9, but he makes up for that with his ability to create chances.”

Nikola Mileusnic (Brisbane Roar)

“His pace is his biggest asset, but you shouldn’t underestimate his movement,” said O’Donovan. “I think he’s playing a lot better since Jay O’Shea has pushed forward into more advanced positions, and his use of the ball suits Mileusnic.

“The way Mileusnic is gaining confidence, and with his pace, he’s a threat to any back four – I honestly can see him finishing up top scorer.”

Bruno Fornaroli (Perth Glory)

“It’s interesting this season that he looks happy with life, but also like he has a point to prove, which could be his way of being motivated,” said O’Donovan. “His body mechanics, and the way he drops into pockets, make his the best hold-up play in the league. The way he uses his body is fantastic.

“He also scores a lot of goals from outside the box, which is a rarity for a pure striker, but it gives Perth such an added weapon.”

Aleksandar Prijovic could be the surprise packet. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty

The dark horse?

O’Donovan believes Western United striker Aleksandar Prijović could be the man to watch in the second half of the season, having arrived less than fully fit but now having scored four goals in 10 games. “He’s not quick but he’s such a smooth finisher, you can see the pedigree he has and he’s smart enough to link up with the guys around him already.

“Now that he’s hit his straps, I reckon he could surprise everyone.”

A-LEAGUE MEN

SATURDAY

Newcastle Jets v Macarthur FC

McDonald Jones Stadium

Kick-off: 5.05pm AEDT

TV: P+

Odds: Jets $2.40, Draw $3.45, Bulls $2.80

There’s a clear gap opening up between the contenders and pretenders on the A-League Men’s table - but three wins from five have seen the Jets attempt to bridge that gap and join the finals hunt.

Angus Thurgate’s inspiring form helped Newcastle to a 1-0 win over Western Sydney in midweek; another three-point display against Macarthur FC on Saturday could bring the Jets to within a point of the top six depending on other results.

But defeating the Bulls will be no simple task. Ulises Dávila has hit his stride at his new club and is primed to excel at McDonald Jones Stadium after scoring the all-important goal in his side’s recent 1-0 win over Perth.

Sydney FC v Melbourne City

Netstrata Jubilee Stadium

Kick-off: 7.45pm AEDT

TV: P+, Network 10

Radio: SEN Fanatic / 1170 / Q / NZ

Odds: Sydney $3.15, Draw $3.45, City $2.20

It’s a grand final rematch to savour at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, with Melbourne City looking to leap back to the top of the table with a three-point display.

Sydney FC need to find a way to make their attack click, scoring just two goals from 57 shots across their last three A-League Men’s fixtures. City, meanwhile, have had no such attacking issue, scoring 15 goals in their last five games. The champions have clicked up front in a dangerous sign to the rest of the league.

Adelaide United v Central Coast Mariners

Coopers Stadium

Kick-off: 7.45pm AEDT

TV: P+, Network 10

Radio: SEN Fanatic, 5AA, Coast FM, SEN Track Gosford

Odds: Adelaide $2.15, Draw $3.45, Mariners $3.30

It’s a special occasion in the A-Leagues on Saturday, with Adelaide’s ‘Pride Game’ the first of its kind in the league, aiming to celebrate inclusivity in both the men’s and women’s competitions.

The Reds welcome Central Coast to Coopers Stadium in the second game of a double-header on Saturday after the conclusion of Adelaide v Melbourne Victory in the A-League Women’s. Adelaide winger Craig Goodwin could create history with a goal to equalling the club’s all-time men’s scoring record held by Reds legend Bruce Djite, whilst Stefan Mark prepares to farewell his home crowd before his departure to Japanese side Fagiano Okayama.

The Mariners return to action four days after the VAR controversy which saw Melbourne City clinch a 3-2 over Nick Montgomery’s side in contentious circumstances.

SUNDAY

Perth Glory v Western United

UTAS Stadium

Kick-off: 6.45pm AEDT

TV: P+

Radio: SEN Fanatic / 1170 / Q / WA App / Peel / Spirit, SENZ

Odds: Perth $3.35, Draw $3.35, Western $2.10

Western United notched an A-League Men’s record after their 1-0 win over Sydney FC, with seven 1-0 victories the most any side have managed in a single season in the competition’s history, and with star Perth recruit Daniel Sturridge injured once again, John Aloisi’s side will be confident in their ability to keep another clean sheet when these two sides meet in Launceston on Saturday.

Western and Melbourne City continue to exchange ownership of top spot on the table, and depending on City’s result against Sydney FC on Saturday afternoon a win over Perth may be needed for Western to reclaim their place at the top of the pile.

Western Sydney Wanderers v Wellington Phoenix

CommBank Stadium

Kick-off: 6.45pm AEDT

TV: P+

Odds: Wanderers $2.25, Draw $3.45, Phoenix $3.05

Six games into his tenure as Western Sydney boss, Mark Rudan has overseen just two wins and four defeats as pressure mounts on the new man in charge to turn things around.

Wellington Phoenix - the club Rudan coached through the 2018/19 campaign - would love nothing more than to travel to CommBank Stadium and prolong the Wanderers’ misery.

Ufuk Talay’s Wellington begin the weekend locked on 18 points with three teams inside the top six. As Western Sydney have struggled the Phoenix have surged, going unbeaten in six A-League Men’s fixtures to climb off the foot of the table and into finals contention.

A-LEAGUE WOMEN

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 25

Canberra United v Newcastle Jets

Viking Park

Kick-off: 5.25pm AEDT

TV: P+

Odds: Canberra $2.10, Draw $3.40, Jets $2.90

At long last, Canberra United are a team in form this season. It took 10 games for United to notch their first win, and that came in style in a 5-0 triumph over Western Sydney. A 2-2 draw against top-four outfit Victory was next, which leads Vicki Linton’s team into their clash with Jets riding a wave of confidence.

Newcastle’s slender finals hopes were quashed in midweek - but the Jets won’t want to switch off against Canberra, who can jump above them into sixth spot with a win on Friday night.

SATURDAY

Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory

Coopers Stadium

Kick-off: 4.50pm AEDT

TV: P+

Odds: Adelaide $2.15, Draw $3.50, Victory $2.70

The stakes are raised at Coopers Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

It’s Adelaide (third) against Victory (fourth) in a blockbuster game with serious top-four implications in the home side’s ‘Pride Game’ event encouraging inclusivity in football.

Adelaide can confirm a spot in the finals with a win over Victory - a feat the club has never achieved in the A-League Women’s. The loser of this game will remain within touching distance of Perth Glory in fifth - a similar story for both teams if points are shared.

SUNDAY

Perth Glory v Sydney FC

UTAS Stadium

Kick-off: 4.05pm AEDT

TV: P+

Odds: Perth $8.00, Draw $5.00, Sydney $1.29

Perth can keep their fairytale run to the finals alive with a win over the wobbling Sydney FC on Sunday.

Five teams can’t squeeze into four in the finals conversation, meaning Glory will have to oust a postseason contender to steal a spot in the top four. Victory’s shock draw to Canberra in midweek left the door ajar for Perth to attack, with just two points separating fourth from fifth with two games to play.

Sydney FC are reeling after drawing with Victory and losing to Melbourne City - the team who could begin the weekend on top of the table should they beat Brisbane Roar on Thursday night.

The Sky Blues had the premiership in their grasp for the majority of the season but can feel it slipping away right at the death. Defeating Perth is a must if Ante Juric’s side hope to stay in the hunt for the premiers plate.

Western Sydney Wanderers v Wellington Phoenix

CommBank Stadium

Kick-off: 4.05pm AEDT

TV: P+, Network 10

Odds: Wanderers $2.00, Draw $3.40, Phoenix $3.10

Wellington Phoenix will hope to find enough points from their final two games to jump off the foot of the A-League Women’s table by the season’s end, and by doing so Gemma Lewis’ side could hand Western Sydney the wooden spoon.

The Wanderers are just three points clear of this season’s expansion side with two games to play in a season where the ‘Nix were tipped to struggle to collect a point, let alone four by this stage of the campaign. But Wellington have impressed lately, nabbing a club-first win over Canberra United on February 11 - and now have the low-scoring Wanderers in their sights.

Originally published as A-League, W-League previews: The round’s match ups across the men’s and women’s draws