To see Sydney FC in training for this weekend...

To see Queensland Roar in training for this weekend...

To see Melbourne Victory in training for this weekend...

It's a crucial stage of the A-League and there's not a dud game scheduled for this weekend.

Adelaide play host to Perth Glory in the first match of the round and it's a must-win for them if they are to stay in contention for the Premiership.

United will be looking to do further damage to Perth's season but will be wary of Glory's new-found determination.

But even with new coach Dave Mitchell in charge (albeit from the stands for this game after his water bottle rage last week) and a revitalised Glory, Perth will have their work cut out to stem the Reds tide.

Faced at home with the league's cellar dwellers, there's simply no excuse for anything less than a win for United.

Losing could see them drop out of the top four by Sunday night...but they're going to have to do it without Kristian Sarkies and Nathan Burns who would have struggled to fly home in time for the kick-off.

They're also missing Jason Spagnuolo but welcome new face Fabien Barbiero to the squad. Perth have surprisingly dropped new signing Jerry Karpeh after he debuted last week but welcomed back several of their Olyroos.

Victory also face a must-win clash against Wellington Phoenix. Victory have little to no chance of successfully defending their Premiership title, but if they want to challenge for the Championship, a win is vital.

Worse still, a loss would see them on the verge of repeating season one's dismal finishing spot of second last in the A-League. Just goal difference would be keeping them in third last spot.

Phoenix have admitted they're not aiming to challenge for the title this season...but they are still playing for pride and a win against the defending champions on their home turf would give them a huge morale boost.

Victory have their skipper talisman Kevin Muscat back in the team after the line-up and his impact on the team's fortunes can't be overstated. When Muscat plays, Melbourne play better. But can their stuttering strike force spark into life?

Phoenix see the return of their All Whites stars plus marquee signing Ahmad Elrich but lose Ross Aloisi.

Sunday evening sees the big match of the round - the F3 Derby of Jets versus Mariners.

Newcastle are playing to keep their finals spot while Mariners will want to protect - and even extend - their lead at the top of the league.

Defeat for the Jets could see them slip to third bottom, victory keeps them firmly in contention. Either way, the Mariners will stay top.

Marquee star Mario Jardel's provisionally back in the squad for the game, but could still be dropped by Sunday as he was last weekend. Stuart Musialik's back in again after his appendix op, but Mark Bridge is out for fortnight and Adam D'Apuzzo's suspended.

Mariners will be missing the suspended Mile Jedinak and the injured Tom Pondeljak but welcome back Danny Vukovic and Nigel Boogard from Olyroo duties.

Finally Sydney will be aiming to protect John Kosmina's unbeaten record when they take on second top Roar.

Roar coach Frank Farina and Kosmina have already fired up, trading insults on each other's physical approach and a heated match could be in store with neither side likely to give an inch.

With both sides having so much at stake - Sydney trying to elbow their way into the top four and Roar trying to close in on the Mariners - a gritty hard-fought draw looks most likely.

Sydney will be at near full strength, missing just Tony Popovic at the back but boosted by the return of Mark Milligan, Ruben Zadkovich and Steve Corica.

Roar are also looking good though with Michael Zullo coming back into the line-up along with Danny Tiatto and Josh McCloughan.

If Roar get the chance to turn on the style and Sydney respond in kind, this could be a cracker...but then, so could the whole weekend.

To see Sydney FC in training for this weekend...

To see Queensland Roar in training for this weekend...

To see Melbourne Victory in training for this weekend...



Adelaide United v Perth Glory
Friday, 23 November 2007
Kick-Off 7:30pm ACDT (10:00pm NZDT, 8:00pm AEDT, 7:00pm AEST, 6:00pm AWDT)
Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Referee: Peter O’Leary
Assistant Referees: Matthew Cream & Peter Chapman
Fourth Official: Craig Zetter

Radio: Fresh FM (Adelaide) 92.7FM www.freshfm.com.au; 6PR 882AM (Perth) www.mytalk.com.au; SportFM (Perth); 90.5FM www.905.com.au;

Stats, Facts & Milestones
Jamie Harnwell is set to make his 200th appearance in all national league matches for Perth Glory. Harnwell becomes just the third player to make 200 appearance for the Glory in all national league competitions, following Bobby Despotovski (a total of 241 appearances) and Scott Miller (227 appearances).

Adelaide United Squad:
50.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk) 2.Richie ALAGICH, 3.Milan SUSAK, 4.Angelo COSTANZO, 6.CASSIO, 7.Lucas PANTELIS, 9.Paul AGOSTINO (Captain),13.Travis DODD, 14.Shaun ONTONG, 17.Isyan ERDOGAN, 18.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 20.Robert BAJIC (gk), 23.Dez GIRALDI, 24.Tomi MILARDOVIC, 26.Fabian BARBIERO.

In: Fabian Barbiero (promoted), Cassio (returns from injury), Dez Giraldi (returns from Olyroo duty)

Out: Jonas Salley (omitted), Jason Spagnuolo (knee – 1week)

Unavailable: Bobby Petta (calf – 2 weeks), Bruce Djite (ankle – 2 weeks), Daniel Beltrame (quad – 7 weeks), Michael Valkanis (knee – season).

Perth Glory Squad:
50.Tommi TOMICH (gk), 4.Simon COLOSIMO, 5.Jamie HARNWELL, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 8.David MICEVSKI, 12.Leo BERTOS, 13.Nikita RUKAVYTSYA, 14.Jamie COYNE, 15.Mitchell PRENTICE, 16.Nick RIZZO, 17.Jimmy DOWNEY, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 21.James ROBINSON, 26.Mark LEE, 27.Ante KOVACEVIC, 20.Danny MILOSEVIC (gk).
* one to be omitted

In: Leo BERTOS (return from National Team duty), Nikita RUKAVYTSYA (return from National Team duty), Jamie COYNE (return from suspension), Naum SEKULOVSKI (return from injury)

Out: Anthony DANZE (omitted), Jerry KARPEH (omitted), Tyler SIMPSON (omitted)

Unavailable: David TARKA (hamstring – season), Jason PETKOVIC (leg – 3 weeks), Stan LAZARIDIS (suspended – 1 week), Hayden FOXE (knee – 1 week)



Melbourne Victory v Wellington Phoenix
Saturday 24 November 2007
Kick-Off 7:00pm AEDT (9:00pm NZDT, 6:30pm ACDT, 8:00pm AEST, 7:00pm AWDT)
Telstra Dome, Melbourne
Referee: Peter Green
Assistant Referees: Hakan Anaz & Luke Brennan
Fourth Official: Kevin Docherty

Radio: SEN1116 (Melbourne) 1116am - www.sen.com.au

Stats, Facts & Milestones
Melbourne's Archie Thompson is set to make his 50th appearance in the Hyundai A-League. Thompson, who currently stands as the league's clear leader in all-time goals scored (27 goals, eight ahead of second-placed Sasho Petrovski), becomes the third player to notch up 50 appearances for the Victory following Danny Allsopp and Steve Pantelidis.

Melbourne Victory Squad:
1.Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2.Kevin MUSCAT (Capt), 6.Steve PANTELIDIS, 7.Matthew KEMP, 8.Grant BREBNER, 9.Danny ALLSOPP, 10.Archie THOMPSON, 12.Rodrigo VARGAS, 13.Kaz PATAFTA, 14.Adrian CACERES, 15.Leandro LOVE, 16.Carlos HERNANDEZ, 17.Daniel VASILEVSKI, 18.Leigh BROXHAM, 19.Evan BERGER, 21.Sebastian RYALL, 30.Mitchell LANGERAK (gk).
*Two to be omitted

In: 2.Kevin MUSCAT (suspension – 1 week), 18.Leigh BROXHAM (international duty – 1 week), 21.Sebastian RYALL (return from international duty)

Out: 24.Steven PACE (Calf – 1 week)

Unavailable: Daniel PIORKOWSKI (shoulder – 9 weeks), Ljubo MILICEVIC (knee – 2 weeks)

Wellington Phoenix squad:
1.Mark PASTON (gk), 20.Glen MOSS (gk), 2.Jeremy CHRISTIE, 3.Tony LOCHHEAD, 5.Karl DODD, 6.Tim BROWN, 8.Vaughan COVENY, 9.Shane SMELTZ, 10.Michael FERRANTE, 11.DANIEL, 14.Steven O’DOR, 16.Kristian REES, 17.Vince LIA, 18.Ahmad ELRICH, 19.Greg DRAPER, 21.FELIPE.
*One to be omitted

In: Mark PASTON (gk, return from national team duty), Tim BROWN (return from national team duty), Shane SMELTZ (return from national team duty), Jeremy CHRISTIE (return from national team duty), TONY LOCHHEAD (return from national team duty), Ahmad ELRICH (return from suspension)

Out: Ross ALOISI (back - 1 week), Richard JOHNSON (hamstring – 1 week), Costa BARBAROUSES (omitted), Royce BROWNLIE (omitted), Stuart WEBSTER (gk, released)

Unavailable: Nil



Newcastle Jets v Central Coast Mariners
Sunday 25 November 2007
Kick-Off 5:00pm AEDT (7:00pm NZDT, 4:30pm ACDT, 4:00pm AEST, 3:00pm AWDT)
EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle
Referee: Mark Shield
Assistant Referees: Alex Glasgow & Murray Wilson
Fourth Official: James Lewis

Radio: ABC 1233 Newcastle (1233AM) – www.abc.net.au/newcastle; Coast FM 96.3FM (Central Coast) - www.coastfm.org.au

Stats, Facts & Milestones
Newcastle's Noel Spencer is due to make his 50th Hyundai A-League appearance. The former Central Coast Mariners captain, who joined the Jets this year, has become a regular player in recent weeks after sitting out most of the first seven rounds on the bench.

Newcastle Jets Squad:
1.Ante COVIC (gk), 2.Adam GRIFFITHS, 3.Jade NORTH (C), 5.Stuart MUSIALIK, 6.Andrew DURANTE, 8.Matt THOMPSON, 9.Joel GRIFFITHS, 10.Denni ROCHA DOS SANTOS, 11.Tarek ELRICH, 12.Paul KOHLER, 14.Jobe WHEELHOUSE, 17.Troy HEARFIELD, 18.Noel SPENCER, 20.Ben KENNEDY (GK), 21.Mario JARDEL, 23.Jason HOFFMAN, 27.Stephen LAYBUTT.
*Two to be omitted

In: Stuart MUSIALIK (Returns from injury)

Out: Adam D’APUZZO (Suspended), Scott TUNBRIDGE (Not Selected), Mark BRIDGE (Injury – Ankle 2 Weeks)

Unavailable: Steve EAGLETON (Influenza), Jorge DROVANDI (Injury – Ankle), Adam D’APUZZO (Suspension), Mark BRIDGE (Ankle– 2 Weeks)

Central Coast Mariners Squad:
1.Matthew TROTT (gk), 2.Matt SIMON, 3.Paul O’GRADY, 4.Ian McANDREW, 5.Bradley PORTER, 6.Andre GUMPRECHT, 7.John HUTCHINSON, 8.Dean HEFFERNAN, 11.Damien BROWN, 12.Greg OWENS, 13.Tony VIDMAR, 15.Andrew CLARK, 16.Nigel BOOGAARD, 18.Alex WILKINSON, 19.Adam KWASNIK, 20.Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 22.Sasho PETROVSKI, 25.John ALOISI.
*three to be omitted

In: Paul O’GRADY (Promoted), Ian McANDREW (Promoted), Andre GUMPRECHT (Returns from Injury), Damien BROWN (Returns from Injury), Nigel BOOGAARD (Returns from National Team Duty), Danny VUKOVIC (Returns from National Team Duty)

Out: Tom PONDELJAK (Groin – Indefinite), Mile JEDINAK (Suspended – 1 week)

Unavailable: Nik MRDJA (Knee – Season), Matthew OSMAN (Knee – Season).



Sydney FC v Queensland Roar
Sunday, 25 November 2007
Kick-Off 7:00pm AEDT (9:00pm NZDT, 6:30pm ACDT, 6:00pm AEST, 5:00pm AWDT)
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Referee: Matthew Breeze
Assistant Referees: Ben Wilson & Sarah Ho
Fourth Official: Ben Williams

Stats, Facts & Milestones
Sydney FC's Ufuk Talay is set to play his 100th match at national league level in Australia. Talay made his national league debut for Marconi almost 15 years ago, aged just 16. The Sydney FC midfielder had a 49 game stint in the old NSL before moving abroad in 1995 for a extended stay in Turkey, returning to Sydney in 2005.

Sydney FC squad:
1.Clint BOLTON (gk), 2.Iain FYFE, 3.Nikolas TSATTALIOS, 4.Mark RUDAN, (captain), 7.Robbie MIDDLEBY, 8.Ruben ZADKOVICH, 9.David ZDRILIC, 10.Steve CORICA, 11.Brendon SANTALAB, 13.Ben VIDAIC, 14.Alex BROSQUE, 16.Mark MILLIGAN, 20.Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 21.Adam BIDDLE, 22.JUNINHO, 23.Ufuk TALAY, 28.Michael BRIDGES.
*two to be omitted

In: Steve Corica (return from injury), Mark Milligan (Return from National Team Duty), Ruben Zadkovich (Return from National Team Duty).

Out: Tony Popovic (suspended - 1 week)

Unavailable: Patrick (knee - 1-2 weeks), Terry McFlynn (ankle – 1 week), Jacob Timpano (thigh - 3-5 weeks), Adam Casey (leg - 7-9 weeks), Michael Enfield (knee - 6 months).

Queensland Roar Squad:
1.Liam REDDY (gk), 2.Andrew PACKER, 4.Craig MOORE (Captain), 5.Josh McCLOUGHAN, 6.Stuart McLAREN, 7.Michael ZULLO, 8.Massimo MURDOCCA, 9.Simon LYNCH, 11.REINALDO, 15.Matt McKAY, 16.Hyuk-Su SEO, 17.Mitch NICHOLS, 18.Danny TIATTO, 19.Sasa OGNENOVSKI, 22.Robbie KRUSE, 23.MARCINHO, 30.Griffin McMASTER (gk).
*two to be omitted

In: Michael Zullo (return from National Team duty), Josh McCloughan (return from suspension), Danny Tiatto (return from groin injury), Mitch Nichols (promoted).

Out: Tahj Minniecon (not selected), Ben Griffin (not selected).

Unavailable: Matt Ham (shoulder injury – out for season).

A-League Ladder Going Into Round 14