The Ninja A-League returns this weekend, and aleagues.com.au has all the essential details you need as we head into Round 19 of the 2024-25 season.
Continue reading for a match-by-match breakdown of Round 19.
Western United vs Canberra United
Friday, 14 March – Ironbark Fields – 7pm AEDT
MATCH CENTRE | BUY TICKETS | HOW TO WATCH
Western United welcome Canberra United this Friday evening, and the outcome could significantly impact the race for a top-six finish.
Currently sitting in fourth place with 26 points, Western leads a tightly contested group of five teams battling for the vital fourth to sixth positions, as the top three have created some distance.
Their recent 3-0 loss to Perth Glory proved detrimental to their hopes of securing a finals spot, particularly with clubs like Brisbane Roar, Central Coast, Canberra, and Wellington hot on their tail.
Canberra, under Antoni Jagarinec, missed an opportunity to climb from seventh to third following a defeat to Melbourne Victory. However, a win against Western could see them move past their rivals in a crucial mental boost.
Central Coast Mariners vs Perth Glory
Friday, 14 March – Industree Group Stadium – 7pm AEDT
MATCH CENTRE | BUY TICKETS | HOW TO WATCH
At the same time as the Western United vs Canberra fixture, Central Coast Mariners face off against Perth Glory, with Emily Husband’s side keen to capitalise on their competitors.
Sitting sixth, the Mariners are aware that a victory on home soil could propel them into fourth, especially if Western and Canberra draw.
However, inconsistent recent form—having lost three consecutive matches—could hamper their ambitions.
Perth Glory, having recently claimed a 3-0 victory over Western, heads to Industree Group Stadium looking to keep their finals hopes alive. Occupying ninth place, they sit six points behind the Mariners and a win would significantly bolster their confidence.
Western Sydney Wanderers vs Melbourne Victory
Saturday, 15 March – CommBank Stadium – 4:40pm AEDT
MATCH CENTRE | BUY TICKETS | HOW TO WATCH
Western Sydney Wanderers will be looking to bounce back after their recent 2-1 defeat to Wellington Phoenix, which ended a promising run of three consecutive wins.
Leading the game until the 74th minute, Geoff Abrahams’s side collapsed, conceding two quick goals, leaving them languishing in 11th position—nine points adrift of the top six.
On the other hand, Melbourne Victory are hot on the heels of the unbeaten Melbourne City, having outclassed Canberra 2-0 last round.
Victory, buoyed by a three-match winning streak and the scoring prowess of Emily Gielnik, know that a win against the Wanderers would elevate them to the top of the ladder, putting pressure on City, who don’t play until the following day.
Aside from a remarkable 4-4 draw earlier this year, Victory have won five out of their last seven encounters against the Wanderers.
Sydney FC vs Wellington Phoenix
Saturday, 15 March – Leichhardt Oval – 5pm AEDT
MATCH CENTRE | BUY TICKETS | HOW TO WATCH
For Sydney FC, last week’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle Jets was another setback in a challenging season for the reigning champions.
Sitting at the bottom of the ladder with just 13 points, the Sky Blues suffered their first defeat to Newcastle since 2017 and have been winless away since May of the previous year.
Conversely, Wellington Phoenix, under the guidance of Paul Temple, celebrated a vital victory against the Wanderers, breaking a five-match winless streak.
Thanks to Olivia Fergusson’s last-minute goal, the Nix remain in eighth place but are now only one point behind the Mariners in sixth.
Wellington will be hopeful of replicating their earlier win this season against Sydney, although past encounters have seen Sydney win four out of their last six match-ups.
Melbourne City vs Adelaide United
Sunday, 16 March – ctrl:cyber Pitch – 5pm AEDT
MATCH CENTRE | BUY TICKETS | HOW TO WATCH
The highlight of the round is undoubtedly at ctrl:cyber Pitch, as league leaders Melbourne City put their unbeaten streak on the line against a strong Adelaide United side.
Having matched the Ninja A-League record of 18 consecutive games without defeat to start a season, Michael Matricciani’s team will face a stern test from the on-form Reds, sitting in third position.
With last week’s fixture against Brisbane Roar postponed due to tropical cyclone Alfred, City’s last game was a 1-1 draw with Canberra on March 1, meaning they should be well-rested for this exciting clash.
As for Adelaide United, under Adrian Stenta, they’re aiming for a remarkable turnaround, potentially going from the bottom of the table last season to being title contenders this year. Currently sitting three points behind City in third, the Reds have gone 11 matches without defeat since their December loss to City and have celebrated victory in eight of those fixtures.
Brisbane Roar vs Newcastle Jets
Sunday, 16 March – Perry Park – 6:30pm AEDT
MATCH CENTRE | BUY TICKETS | HOW TO WATCH
Rounding off Round 19 in the Ninja A-League are Brisbane Roar and Newcastle Jets, both desperately in need of a win to solidify their finals aspirations.
Brisbane Roar enter the match after a break last week due to poor weather, meaning it has been more than six weeks since they last celebrated a victory.
Their solitary win, a 1-0 triumph over Wellington on February 2, remains their only victory in the last eight games. Currently sitting fifth, they are only a point above seventh-placed Canberra.
Additionally, the Roar must also cope with the departure of star goalkeeper Olivia Sekany, who has returned to parent club Racing Louisville in the US.
TRANSFER NEWS: Roar’s keeper recalled by US parent club amid impressive breakout season in Brisbane
For Newcastle Jets, confidence is high after back-to-back wins in the Ninja A-League. Currently 10th on the ladder and seven points behind the top six, a victory over an out-of-sorts Brisbane side would energise their finals hopes, even with just a handful of matches left against top-six teams.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
Fanpage: SportArena.com.au.
LiveScore – Live Sports Results & Odds.
