Match-by-Match Guide: Key Insights for Round 27 of the Isuzu UTE A-League

The Isuzu UTE A-League makes its return this weekend, and aleagues.com.au has all the essential information you need ahead of Round 27 in the 2024-25 season.

Continue reading for a detailed preview of each match for Round 27.

*Bye: Perth Glory

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Brisbane Roar v Western United

Thursday, April 17 – Suncorp Stadium – 7:35pm AEST

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Brisbane Roar aim to kick off Round 27 positively on Thursday night as they strive to pull themselves off the bottom of the Isuzu UTE A-League standings.

Currently at the foot of the table, the Roar sit three points behind 12th-placed Perth Glory, although they do have two games in hand over their rivals in the relegation battle.

Western United will be looking to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat to Western Sydney as they aim to regain momentum in their chase for the Premiership.

Now six points adrift of the league-leading Auckland, Western certainly possess the attacking prowess to overwhelm Brisbane Roar and will seek to add to the woes of a side that hasn’t triumphed at home in over a year.

On the other hand, Noah Botic, the leading scorer for Western, will look to bolster his Golden Boot campaign, having netted 11 goals and currently sitting second on the leaderboard, only one behind Sydney’s Adrian Segecic and Adelaide’s Archie Goodwin.

Thursday’s showdown at Suncorp Stadium will also mark a milestone for Brisbane veteran Jack Hingert, who will become just the 13th player to reach 300 Isuzu UTE A-League appearances in the competition’s history.

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Adelaide United v Wellington Phoenix

Friday, April 18 – Coopers Stadium – 7:35pm AEST

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Adelaide United find themselves in a must-win situation as they look to secure a spot in the finals this season.

Currently on a downward spiral with four consecutive losses, Carl Veart’s squad is now outside the top six after a 4-1 drubbing by Perth Glory in Round 26.

While they remain just one point shy of sixth-placed Sydney FC, the Reds urgently need to reverse their troubling form if they’re to regain their footing in the final matches of the season.

Wellington Phoenix, on the other hand, will travel to Adelaide after a narrow 3-2 defeat to Melbourne Victory at Sky Stadium.

However, the ‘Nix may fancy their chances at Coopers Stadium against an Adelaide side that has conceded 22 goals in their last six outings.

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Melbourne Victory v Auckland FC

Saturday, April 19 – AAMI Park – 5:00pm AEST

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Auckland FC face another challenge against top-six contenders as they take on a formidable Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park for the second week in a row.

Arthur Diles’ Victory arrive at this encounter following a convincing 3-2 win away to Wellington Phoenix, placing them fifth on the ladder and inching closer to securing a finals spot.

Meanwhile, Auckland FC, under Steve Corica, aim to become premiership winners in their inaugural season, currently four points ahead of Melbourne City in second place. If both City and Western United falter in their fixtures, and Auckland secures victory, they will clinch the Premier’s Plate.

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Western Sydney Wanderers v Melbourne City

Saturday, April 19 – CommBank Stadium – 7:35pm AEST

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One of the highlight fixtures of the round features a clash between two high-flying sides at CommBank Stadium on Saturday night.

The Wanderers, currently positioned fourth as Round 27 kicks off, are undefeated in their last nine encounters, with six wins propelling them up the standings.

Leading the way in scoring within the Isuzu UTE League, Nicolas Milanovic has tallied 11 goals this season and aims to extend his tally in the race for the Golden Boot, vying against Adrian Segecic (12) and Archie Goodwin (12).

In opposition, Melbourne City’s head coach Aurelio Vidmar will seek a repeat of the second-half performance that produced a 3-2 victory over Brisbane Roar in their last outing.

With three consecutive wins under their belt, City sits second on the Isuzu UTE A-League ladder, and a win here could not only prevent Auckland FC from claiming the Premiership but may place them just a point off the top spot by the end of the round.

Sydney FC v Newcastle Jets

Sunday, April 20 – Allianz Stadium – 3:00pm AEST

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Sydney FC must capitalise on this weekend’s home encounter against Newcastle Jets to maintain their position in the top six, especially before embarking on a two-game road trip to conclude the regular season.

Ufuk Talay’s side opens the weekend one point ahead of seventh-placed Adelaide United and two points clear of eighth-placed Macarthur Bulls. Should Adelaide win against Wellington Phoenix on Friday night, they could leapfrog the Sky Blues, putting pressure on Talay’s squad to respond against the Jets.

The last fixture between these two teams occurred in Round 12 when an 89th-minute equaliser from Anthony Caceres salvaged a point for Sydney after trailing 2-0, ending in a 2-2 draw.

Rob Stanton’s Jets still have slim hopes of entering the Finals Series and could reduce their deficit to Sydney to only two points with a victory this weekend.

Sunday’s match at Allianz Stadium will also provide a platform for former Sky Blue Clayton Taylor to build on his fine form, having scored a sensational goal and contributed three assists in Newcastle’s emphatic 6-0 win over Central Coast Mariners in their last game.

Central Coast Mariners v Macarthur Bulls

Sunday, April 20 – Industree Group Stadium – 5:00pm AEST

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Round 27 concludes with Macarthur Bulls’ away encounter against Central Coast Mariners at Industree Group Stadium this Sunday evening.

For the Mariners, who won’t be able to defend their Championship title after last weekend’s 6-0 loss to the Jets, there are only two games remaining in their season.

Defender Storm Roux received a straight red card during that match and has been handed a three-game suspension by Football Australia’s independent Match Review Panel, ruling him out for the remainder of the Mariners’ 2024-25 campaign.

Currently sitting 10th, the Mariners host a Macarthur side coming off two wins and a draw from their last three matches, aiming for a spot in the Finals Series.

Mile Sterjovski’s squad could ascend to as high as sixth place with a victory, provided both Adelaide and Sydney FC lose their respective matches in Round 27.

Macarthur enjoyed a bye in Round 26 but prior to their break, went three matches unbeaten, thanks to blossoming striker Harrison Sawyer, who netted three times in two games before this weekend.

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