It will be the first meeting between the two at Etihad Stadium and Victory striker Archie Thompson is hopeful of returning from his hamstring injury for the blockbuster.

The teams head into the game on contrasting runs of form with Victory winless in three and Heart unbeaten in five.

A win would give either team a healthy edge in attempting to cement a top six spot.

In a similarly important meeting on the Gold Coast, United owner Clive Palmer will throw the gates open again to welcome the Jets.

The home side has never won lost at home to the Jets and boss Miron Bleiberg will want an improved performance from former Nuremburg midfielder Peter Perchtold, who made his debut in Melbourne mid-week.

The Jets need a win after going down in the F3 derby but it will be a difficult task at what should be the biggest crowd at Skilled Park this season.

Adelaide United will be desperate to regain second spot on the table when they welcome the struggling North Queensland Fury.

The Reds, coming off a weekend break, lost second spot to Central Coast and will want to stay in touch by continuing their good home form that has seen them win eight of 11 games at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Fury, winless in seven and struggling even more away from home, will be without midfielder Gareth Edds due to injury.

Sydney FC will look to keep their slim finals chances alive with an important trip to Bluetongue Stadium to take on Central Coast.

In eight meetings at the venue, the teams have shared 31 goals and with the Sky Blues desperate for three points, it could be another scoring feast.

But the Mariners have won eight of 13 home games and scored more than any club when hosting, finding the net 27 times.

Wellington Phoenix are still in the hunt for a top six spot and will be confident of overcoming struggling travellers Perth Glory.

Glory, although unbeaten in four, have won just one of 13 road trips in season six and have never been victorious at Westpac Stadium.

In six meetings there, Phoenix have won four with the other two ending in draws.

Weekend break: Brisbane Roar

Derby Decider

Heart and Victory are locked at one win apiece going into the third edition of the Melbourne derby

Form Out The Window

Victory are winless in three while Heart are unbeaten in five, but it will mean little in the derby

Gold on the Coast

Gold Coast have never lost at home to Newcastle, winning two games and drawing once

Home & Away

Adelaide, who have won eight of 11 home games, host North Queensland, who have won just one of 13 away matches

Fury Form Slump

North Queensland are winless in seven

Goals Galore

In eight meetings between Sydney FC and Central Coast Mariners at Bluetongue Stadium, 31 goals have been scored

Phoenix Domination

Wellington have never lost to Perth Glory at Westpac Stadium, winning four and drawing twice

Adelaide United vs. North Queensland Fury

Friday, 21 January 2011

Hindmarsh Stadium

Local kick-off: 7:30pm (8:00pm AEDT)

Referee: Peter Green 

Assistant referee: Daniel Goodwin and Curtis Wordsworth

Fourth official: Regis Queffelec

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports, FS1 HD and Sky Sports 3 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club partner is ABC Digital (Adelaide) and Zinc 100.7 FM (Townsville). To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au

Adelaide United: 1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 2.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 3.Nigel BOOGAARD, 4.Iain FYFE, 6.CASSIO, 7.Lucas PANTELIS, 8.Adam HUGHES, 9.Sergio VAN DIJK, 10.Marcos FLORES, 12.Paul REID, 13.Travis DODD (c), 14.Cameron WATSON, 17.Iain RAMSAY, 19.Mathew LECKIE, 20.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), 21.Francisco USUCAR *one to be omitted*

In: Nigel BOOGAARD (returns from injury), Mathew LECKIE (returns from injury)

Out: Fabian BARBIERO (ankle – indefinite)

Unavailable: Daniel MULLEN (knee – season), Joe COSTA (knee – season), Joe KEENAN (leg – season), Andy SLORY (thigh – 1 week)

 

North Queensland Fury v Adelaide United: 1. Justin PASFIELD (gk), 2. Jack HINGERT, 3. Brad McDONALD, 4. Eric AKOTO, 5. Mark HUGHES, 6. Ufuk TALAY (c), 11. David WILLIAMS, 12. Panagiotis NIKAS, 13. Andre KILIAN, 14. Chris GROSSMAN, 16. Simon STOREY, 18. Brett STUDMAN, 19. Isaka CERNAK, 21. Jason SPAGNUOLO, 22. Lorenzo SIPI, 28. Sebastian USAI (gk) *one to be omitted*

In:  Ufuk TALAY (back from injury), David WILLIAMS (back from injury), Brett STUDMAN (promoted)
Out: Adam CASEY (hamstring – 1 week), Ramazan TAVSANCIOGLU (short term contract ended)
Unavailable: Gareth EDDS (ankle – 1 week), Adam CASEY (hamstring – 1 week), Matthew HAM (knee – out for the season)

Head-to-Head: All matches (played 5): Adelaide United wins 3, North Queensland Fury wins 1 (1 draw)


Melbourne Victory vs. Melbourne Heart

Saturday, 22 January 2011

Etihad Stadium

Local kick-off: 7:00pm

Referee: Chris Beath

Assistant referee: Luke Brennan and James Nicolopoulos

Fourth official: Lucien Laverdure

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1, FS1 HD and Sky Sports 3 (NZ). Hyundai A-League partner is 774 ABC (Melbourne) and SEN. To purchase tickets visit www.ticketmaster.com.au

Melbourne Victory: 1. Michael PETKOVIC (gk), 2. Kevin MUSCAT, 3. Mate DUGANDZIC, 4. Petar FRANJIC, 7. Matthew KEMP, 8. Grant BREBNER, 9. RICARDINHO, 11. Marvin ANGULO, 12. Rodrigo VARGAS, 13. Diogo FERREIRA, 14. Billy CELESKI, 15. Tom PONDELJAK, 16. Carlos HERNANDEZ, 17. Matthew FOSCHINI, 18. Danny ALLSOPP, 20. Sebastian MATTEI (gk), 22. Geoff KELLAWAY, 23. Adrian LEIJER *three to be omitted

In: Kevin MUSCAT (returns from suspension), Geoff KELLAWAY (promoted). 

Out: Leigh BROXHAM (calf), Evan BERGER (hamstring)

Unavailable: Archie THOMPSON (hamstring), Surat SUKHA (calf) Robbie KRUSE (International duty – 2 weeks)

Melbourne Heart: 1.Clint BOLTON, 2.Michael MARRONE, 3.Brendan HAMILL, 4.Simon COLOSIMO, 5.Michael BEAUCHAMP, 6.Matt THOMPSON, 7.Rutger WORM, 8.Kristian SARKIES, 9.Gerald SIBON, 10.Wayne SRHOJ, 11.Alex TERRA, 12.Peter ZOIS, 15.John ALOISI, 16.Aziz BEHICH, 17.Jason HOFFMAN, 20.Josip SKOKO, 21.Kliment TASESKI, 22.Nick KALMAR, 23.Dean HEFFERNAN, 25.Adrian ZAHRA *five to be omitted* 

In: Brendan HAMILL (promoted), Jason HOFFMAN (promoted), Kliment TASESKI (promoted), Josip SKOKO, Rutger WORM

Out: Nil

Head-to-Head: All matches (played 2): Melbourne Victory wins 1, Melbourne Heart wins 1 (0 draws)

  • Having not lost any of their previous five matches, Melbourne Heart will be aiming to equal a club record six undefeated match streak - which would be their second such streak this season. 

 

Gold Coast United vs. Newcastle Jets

Saturday, 22 January 2011

Skilled Park

Local kick-off: 8:15pm (9:15pm AEDT)

Referee: Matthew Breeze

Assistant referee: Ashley Beecham and Brad Hobson

Fourth official: Alan Milliner

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1, FS1 HD & Sky Sports 3 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is 1233 ABC Newcastle. To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au

Gold Coast United: 1.Glen MOSS [gk], 2.Steve PANTELIDIS, 3.Michael THWAITE (c), 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Zenon CARAVELLA, 8.ANDERSON, 9.Shane SMELTZ, 11.Bruce DJITE, 13.Bas VAN DEN BRINK, 16.Kristian REES, 19.Andrew BARISIC, 21.Golgol MEBRAHTU, 22.Adama TRAORE, 24.John CURTIS, 25.Chris BROADFOOT, 26.Ben HALLORAN, 27.Chris HAROLD, 29.Zac ANDERSON, 30,Jerrad TYSON [gk], 33.Peter PERCHTOLD. *five to be omitted*

In: Steve PANTELIDIS (return from facial injury), ANDERSON (promoted), Chris BROADFOOT (promoted), Ben HALLORAN (promoted), Chris HAROLD (promoted).

Out: Nil

Unavailable: Jason CULINA (international duty), ROBSON (hamstring injury – 7 weeks), Daniel PIORKOWSKI (ankle injury – indefinite), Matt OSMAN (knee injury – indefinite).

Newcastle Jets: 1. Ben KENNEDY (gk), 2. Taylor REGAN, 4. Nikolai TOPOR STANLEY (c), 11. Tarek ELRICH, 12. Jobe WHEELHOUSE, 13. Sasho PETROVSKI, 14. Labinot HALITI, 16. Jeremy BROCKIE, 17. Marcello FIORENTINI, 18. Marko JESIC, 23. Ryan GRIFFITHS, 25. Samuel GALLAWAY, 26. James VIRGILI, 28. Mario SIMIC, 31. Jacob PEPPER, 40. Matthew NASH *one to be omitted*

In: Samuel GALLAWAY, MARIO SIMIC, Jacob PEPPER (all promoted from NYL)

Out: Nil

Unavailable: Neil YOUNG (Illness - indefinite), Michael BRIDGES (knee - six weeks), Sean ROONEY (knee - season), Ben KANTAROVSKI (knee - season), Kaz PATAFTA (groin - one week), Brodie MOOY (compartment syndrome - season), Adam D'APUZZO (ankle - one week), Kasey WEHRMAN (Foot - four weeks), Ruben ZADKOVICH (knee - three weeks), Ali ABBAS (groin - one week), Zhang SHUO (Not selected)

Head-to-Head: All matches (played 6): Gold Coast United wins 2, Newcastle Jets wins 3 (1 draw)

  • Gold Coast United will be aiming to break a home crowd record of 10,204, set in December 2009 when Gold Coast defeated Brisbane 5-1.

 

Wellington Phoenix vs. Perth Glory

Sunday, 23 January 2011

Westpac Stadium

Local kick-off: 5:00pm (3:00pm AEDT)

Referee: Peter O'Leary

Assistant referee: Mark Rule and Brent Nest

Fourth official: Matthew Conger

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1, FS1 HD & Sky Sport 3 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is The Radio Network (Wellington) 1035AM and 6PR 882AM (Perth). To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.co.nz

Wellington Phoenix: 2. Manny MUSCAT, 3. Tony LOCHHEAD’ 4. Nicky WARD, 6. Tim BROWN, 7. Leo BERTOS, 9, Chris GREENACRE, 10, Oscar Roberto CORNEJO, 11. DANIEL, 13. Troy HEARFIELD, 17. Vince LIA, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 19, Danny VUKOVIC, 20, Reece CROWTHER, 21. Marco ROJAS, 22. Andrew DURANTE, 23. Dylan MACALLISTER *one to be omitted*

In: Oscar Roberto CORNEJO (promoted)

Out:

Unavailable: Paul IFILL (leg – five weeks), Mark PASTON (gk, knee – season), Jade NORTH (international duty – 2 weeks).

Perth Glory squad: 1. Tando VELAPHI (gk), 2.Josh MITCHELL, 8.Victor SIKORA, 11.Branko JELIC, 12.Scott NEVILLE (c), 13.Tommy AMPHLETT, 14.Steven McGARRY, 15.Howard FONDYKE, 17. Todd HOWARTH, 18.Brent GRIFFITHS, 19. Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20. Alex PEARSON (gk), 21.Mile STERJOVSKI, 24. Josh RISDON, 26. Adam TAGGART, 27.Cameron EDWARDS, 28.Storm ROUX *two to be omitted*

In: Branko JELIC (promoted), Brent GRIFFITHS (promoted), Naum SEKULOVSKI (returns from injury), Cameron EDWARDS (promoted from NYL), Storm ROUX (promoted from NYL)

Out: Andy TODD (released), Jamie HARNWELL (suspended), Robbie FOWLER (injured – hamstring), Adriano PELLEGRINO (suspended)

Unavailable: Chris COYNE (Achilles – season), Jacob BURNS (wife expecting to give birth)

Head-to-Head: All matches (played 12): Wellington Phoenix wins 5, Perth Glory wins 4 (3 draws)

  • Having won their past three home matches, Wellington Phoenix will be aiming to equal a club record longest winning streak (four), previously attained in January–February 2010.

 

Central Coast Mariners vs. Sydney FC

Sunday, 23 January 2011

Bluetongue Stadium

Local kick-off: 5:00pm

Referee: Strebre Delovski

Assistant referee: Sarah Ho and Rod Allen

Fourth official: Gerard Parsons

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1, FS1 HD and Sky Sports 3 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club broadcast partners are 96.3 Coast FM (Gosford) and SBS 6 Digital. To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au.

Central Coast Mariners squad: 2. Daniel McBREEN, 3. Joshua ROSE, 4. Pedj BOJIC, 6. Patrick ZWAANSWIJK, 7. John HUTCHINSON, 8. Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 10. Patricio PEREZ, 11.Oliver BOZANIC, 13. Michael BAIRD, 14. Michael MCGLINCHEY, 16. Trent SAINSBURY, 17. Chris DOIG, 18. Alex WILKINSON (c), 19. Matt SIMON, 20. Mathew RYAN (gk), 22. Mustafa AMINI, 23. Adam KWASNIK, 30. Paul HENDERSON. *three to be omitted*

In: Patrick ZWAANSWIJK (returns from injury), Patricio PEREZ (promoted), Josh ROSE (returns from injury), Adam KWASNIK (returns from injury)
Out: Matthew LEWIS (not selected)
Unavailable: Brad PORTER (knee – 8 weeks), Nik MRDJA (knee – 8 weeks), Jess VANSTRATTAN (knee - season)

Sydney FC: 1. Liam REDDY (gk), 2. Sebastian RYALL, 3. Stephan KELLER, 6. Hirofumi MORIYASU, 7. Brendan GAN, 8. Stuart MUSIALIK, 9. Bruno CAZARINE, 10. Nick CARLE, 11. Kofi DANNING, 12. Shannon COLE, 15. Terry MCFLYNN (c), 17. Matt JURMAN, 18. Juho MAKELA, 20. Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 21. Scott JAMIESON, 22. Sung-Hwan BYUN, 23, Rhyan GRANT, 24. Dimitri PETRATOS *three to be omitted*

In: Brendan GAN, Kofi DANNING, Rhyan GRANT (all promoted)
Out: Nil

Unavailable: Hayden FOXE (groin – 2 weeks), Mark BRIDGE (stomach – 1 week), Alex BROSQUE (groin – 1 week), Terry ANTONIS (knee – 3 weeks)

Head-to-Head: All matches (played 18): Central Coast Mariners wins 5, Sydney FC wins 8 (5 draws)

  • Central Coast Mariners defender JOSHUA ROSE is set to make his 200th appearance at national league level. Rose has played with Brisbane Strikers (52 appearances), New Zealand Knights (12), Universitatea Craiova (Romania, 112 appearances) and has made 23 appearances with the Mariners so far this season. 
  • Having kept 11 clean sheets so far this season, Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper MATTHEW RYAN is aiming to create a new Hyundai A-League record for most clean sheets in a season (12). The current record of 11 is jointly held by Ryan and Clint Bolton, who kept 11 clean sheets in the 2009/10 season with Sydney FC.