Thursday November 19
Melbourne Victory V Central Coast Mariners
AAMI Park, 8pm
Melbourne Victory have won their past five A-League matches against the Central Coast, scoring exactly three goals on four occasions.
Melbourne was fantastic last week, holding off a determined Sydney, before counter punching to record a 4-2 win.
The Mariners have had a tough time of it once again this season, currently sitting eighth, with their only win coming in round one against Perth Glory.
Central Coast have not won away from home in the A-League since April 2014, conceding 38 goals in those 18 matches. On top of that, they have not beaten the Victory on the road since November 2009. That poor run is set to continue, with striker Besart Berisha on fire of late and the Mariners will not have the defensive prowess to stop the in form Albanian, who has scored 13 goals in his last 14 games.
The Victory have scored three goals in their four home games, truly making the trip down to Melbourne a difficult one.
Melbourne Victory welcome back Connor Pain, Scott Galloway and Giancarlo Gallifuoco from Olyroos duty, while Jason Geria, Nick Ansell and Carl Valeri are all unavailable due to injury.
Harry Ascroft, Michael Neill and Jake Adelson come into the Mariners' squad.
Prediction: Victory 3- 0 Mariners
Friday November 20
Brisbane Roar V Melbourne City
Suncrop Stadium, 8pm
Brisbane are surprisingly on top of the A-League table after six rounds and are perfectly placed to get revenge on Melbourne City for last season. City won all three of the clashes between the two sides last season.
City's inconsistency, which has unfortunately become a hallmark of the club over the years, was on show again last week, losing 3-0 at home after an impressive 4-2 win over Adelaide at Coopers Stadium the week before, making it a third defeat in six starts for van't Schip's men.
The Roar have scored in every home match against the City, averaging two goals per game. Brisbane have won their past four home A-League matches. City welcome back Aaron Mooy from international duty.
Prediction: Roar 2 - 0 City
Saturday November 21
Western Sydney Wanderers V Wellington Phoenix
Parramatta Stadium, 5.15pm
The Wanderers had an impressive win over Melbourne City last week away from home, to record their third win of the campaign and propel them up to fourth on the table.
Wellington were also much improved, also recording their third win of the season, with a 4-2 win over Adelaide in front of a large crowd in Wellington.
Wellington have only lost one of their last six clashes with the Wanderers.
Both sides are on three wins and ten points, with a win potentially sending them equal top, depending on other results.
Prediction: Wanderers 1 - 2 Phoenix
Perth Glory V Sydney FC
NIB Stadium, 7.30pm
Both sides suffered losses last week, but it was Sydney who faced the tougher challenge, up against reigning champions, Melbourne Victory.
Perth are second bottom and in desperate need of a win, but will struggle to find it against Sydney, despite playing at home.
Sydney will be without French defender Jacques Fatty after flying home for personal reasons, but he will be back for their next clash.
Sydney beat Perth in both matches in Perth last season, scoring three goals on both occasions.
The Sky Blues have also won their past 10 matches on the road in the A-League and they are unbeaten in their last 17 A-League matches, both league records.
Prediction: Perth 1- 3 Sydney
Sunday November 22
Adelaide United V Newcastle Jets
Hindmarsh Stadium, 5pm
Prior to the season, if you had said that one of these teams would be fifth and the other bottom after six rounds, you would have without hesitation said that the Jets would be the club on the bottom of the table.
However, surprisingly, Adelaide have struggled this season and are yet to win from the opening six games, while Newcastle are playing an exciting brand of football this season under new coach Scott Miller, currently sitting fifth, with three wins and a draw from the opening six rounds.
Adelaide won the same fixture last season 7-0, however, that is a distant memory for both sides now.
David Carney has been on fire this season and will likely be a key man again this game, leading the league with three assists.
Prediction: Adelaide 1 - 2 Jets
