A-Leagues preview: A look at the round’s match ups across the men’s and women’s draws

Newcastle Jets will be back in action for the first time in 42 days when they host Adelaide United. Check out the full preview for each match in the A-League Men and Women this weekend.

Neewcastle Jets will be back in action on Sunday. Picture: Ashley Feder/Getty Images

Newcastle Jets haven’t played a match in the A-League Men for 42 days and will be buzzing for their return to action against Adelaide United.

Several Socceros stars will be missing this round due to international duty, while the pressure will build further on Wanderers coach Carl Robinson if Western Sydney fail to fire against Brisbane Roar.

In A-League Women, Melbourne City will be keen to bounce back to winning form after a big loss to Sydney FC last start.

Scroll down for a full preview of the A-League Men and Women rounds this weekend.

Watch the world’s best footballers every week with beIN SPORTS on Kayo. LIVE coverage from LaLiga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Serie A, Carabao Cup, EFL & SPFL. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial >

A-LEAGUE MEN

SATURDAY, JANUARY 29

BRISBANE ROAR V WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS

Moreton Daily Stadium, 7.45pm AEDT

TV: Network 10 (NSW and QLD), Paramount+

ODDS: Roar $2.35, Draw $3.40, Wanderers $2.90

A Brisbane win could leave the Wanderers last, with pressure mounting on Wanderers boss Carl Robinson, with the star-studded Western Sydney winless in five games. Despite the off-season signings of ex-Premier League duo Jack Rodwell and Tomer Hemed, it hasn’t clicked for Western Sydney, who have also lost star defender Rhys Williams (hamstring). Brisbane have their tails up after a maiden win and a rising number of young local products making an impact for Warren Moon’s side.

Wanderers coach Carl Robinson is under mounting pressure to retain his job. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

WESTERN UNITED V MELBOURNE CITY

AAMI Park, 7.45pm AEDT

TV: Network 10 (VIC), Paramount+ RADIO: SEN Fanatic, 2SM

ODDS: United $3.40, Draw $3.50, City $2.05

It’s A-League game 350 for journeyman Nikolai Topor-Stanley, as the Western United defender looks to help his side go level with Melbourne Victory on top of the table. Melbourne City are without a key quartet with Jamie Maclaren, Marco Tilio, Mathew Leckie and Connor Metcalfe all on Socceroos duty. But after scoring on his City debut, ex-Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson could be one to watch as captain Scott Jamieson and Nuno Reis return from suspension.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 30

SYDNEY FC V CENTRAL COAST MARINERS

Leichhardt Oval, 4.05pm AEDT

TV: Paramount+

ODDS: Sydney FC $1.75, Draw $3.70, Mariners $4.50

The visiting Mariners arrive at Sydney FC with some serious attacking arsenal after the arrival of striker Jason Cummings; a maverick footballer guaranteed to entertain. The Scottish-born forward with an Australian mother has long been touted as a potential Socceroos bolter, and the 26-year-old looks set to debut. The Sky Blues are buoyed after their undermanned side netted a late equaliser to pinch a point from league leaders Melbourne Victory.

NEWCASTLE JETS V ADELAIDE UNITED

McDonald Jones Stadium, 6.45pm AEDT

TV: Paramount+

ODDS: Jets $2.35, Draw $3.40, United $2.90

The Jets are back in action. The match will mark 42 days since Arthur Papas’ side last featured in the A-League, and their entertaining, attacking football has been missed. It looms as Adelaide captain Stefan Mauk’s potential farewell fixture, with the attacking midfielder hinting his club exit is nigh having been linked to a Japanese club. Craig Goodwin’s Socceroos call-up puts more pressure on the undermanned Reds to perform.

Newcastle Jets will return to action for the first time in 2022 on Sunday against Adelaide United. Picture: Ashley Feder/Getty Images

A-LEAGUE WOMEN

FRIDAY, JANUARY 28

WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS V ADELAIDE UNITED

Marconi Stadium, 7.45pm AEDT

TV: Paramount+

The Wanderers can’t seem to buy a goal, with just two on the board in 2021-22. But five goals conceded from seven games have kept Catherine Cannuli’s side relevant in the top four race. Star Wanderers defender Clare Hunt was touted as a future Matilda this week, but an Adelaide strike force led by Chelsie Dawber and Fiona Worts will look to break open the dam wall on Friday night.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 29

BRISBANE ROAR V MELBOURNE CITY

Moreton Daily Stadium, 4.50pm AEDT

TV: Paramount+

A brutal defeat at the hands of league-leaders Sydney FC last time out showed Melbourne City just how far they need to lift in order to challenge for the title this season. Golden boot leader Hannah Wilkinson went scoreless in the 3-0 loss; she will travel to Queensland eager to feast on a Roar defence conceding an average of two goals per game.

Michelle Heyman on the charge for Canberra United. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

SUNDAY, JANUARY 30

NEWCASTLE JETS V CANBERRA UNITED

McDonald Jones Stadium, 4.05pm AEDT

TV: 10 Bold

On paper, Canberra United’s attacking trio of Michelle Heyman, Ashleigh Sykes and Allira Toby should strike fear into the hearts of all defenders who oppose them. But the green machine’s attack is yet to click into gear this season, with two draws and six losses from six games sending Canberra just one spot off the bottom of the ladder. The Jets last featured in a finals campaign in 2017/18, and Ash Wilson’s side approach Round 9 just four points outside the top four. A packed home crowd at McDonald Jones Stadium could roar the Jets into the hunt for a spot in the finals.

MONDAY, JANUARY 31

PERTH GLORY V WELLINGTON PHOENIX

Wanderers Football Park, 6.35pm AEDT

TV: Paramount+

They were the feel good story of Round 8: a Perth Glory side defying the odds and rising above adversity to defeat the Wanderers and remain in the finals hunt. If Perth are to finish inside the top four, they will need to do so by sealing points on a run of games outside of WA. Matildas legend Lisa De Vanna says she’s close to seeing out a full 90 minutes for the first time this season — could she be the key to Glory’s chances against a winless Wellington?

Originally published as A-Leagues preview: A look at the round’s match ups across the men’s and women’s draws