Down To Serious Business...

Ricki Herbert’s men recorded a very important 1-0 win over Newcastle last weekend, three points that could prove the difference between making or missing out on the finals.

But their horrid away record is put to the test again with a trip to Hindmarsh Stadium, a venue at which they have never won. 

In season six, the Phoenix have won just once away from home but will hope the celebration of their 100^th game as a club could turn that around.

Adelaide have shown indifferent form over their last three games and grabbed a draw on the Gold Coast mid-week, but should be confident against the perennial away strugglers.

Melbourne Heart will be hopeful the result goes in the direction of the Reds, but they will need a positive outcome when they host Central Coast.

The Mariners have beaten Heart twice and are on a six-match unbeaten run, which includes just two losses on the road this season.

Young Heart fullback Aziz Behich took out the January nomination for Young Player of the Month and John van’t Schip knows his team must take six points from their remaining two fixtures.

Newcastle Jets host an in-form Sydney FC, desperate to break a four-game losing run.

The Jets need to regain form against a team that has held the edge over them since the inception of the league.

The Sky Blues have won 11 of 19 meetings between the two and have recorded five victories at EnergyAustralia Stadium.

Gold Coast United will work towards keeping some pressure on second-placed Central Coast with a visit to Perth Glory.

Glory are winless in six and have never beaten Miron Bleiberg’s men, going into the game as underdogs as they continue their rebuild.

United need a win despite their run for second spot looking increasingly unlikely with the Mariners in fine form.

Postponed: North Queensland Fury v Brisbane Roar

Weekend off: Melbourne Victory

Raising the bat
Wellington Phoenix will play their 100^th game as a club on Saturday night

Not Hindmarsh
Phoenix have won just once away from home this season and never at Hindmarsh Stadium, where they have lost four times and drawn once

Mariners Roll On
Central Coast are unbeaten in six, lost just twice away from home and beaten Heart both times this season

Sky Blues for Sydney
Sydney FC are on a five-game unbeaten streak and have a superior record against the Jets, recording 11 wins in 19 meetings

Glory Drought
Perth are winless in six and have never beaten Gold Coast United

Melbourne Heart vs. Central Coast Mariners
Friday, 4 Feb 2011
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Local kick-off: 8:00pm
Referee: Strebre Delovski
Assistant referees: Luke Brennan Hakan Anaz
Fourth official: Kevin Docherty

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 2, FS2 HD and Sky Sports 1 (NZ). Hyundai A-League partner is 774 ABC (Melbourne), SEN and 96.3 Coast FM (Gosford). To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au

Melbourne Heart: 1.Clint BOLTON (gk), 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, 22.Nick KALMAR *two to be omitted*
In: Jason HOFFMAN (promoted), Brendan HAMILL (promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Adrian ZAHRA (knee - season), Eli BABALJ (thigh)

Central Coast Mariners squad: 20. Mathew RYAN (gk), 2. Daniel McBREEN, 3. Joshua ROSE, 4. Pedj BOJIC, 6. Patrick ZWAANSWIJK, 7. John HUTCHINSON, 8. Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 10. Patricio PEREZ, 12. Matthew LEWIS, 14. Michael McGLINCHEY, 16. Trent SAINSBURY, 17. Chris DOIG, 18. Alex WILKINSON (c), 19. Matt SIMON, 22. Mustafa AMINI, 23. Adam WASNIK. 30. Paul HENDERSON (gk). *three to be omitted*
In: Matthew LEWIS, Trent SAINSBURY, Chris DOIG (all promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Jess VANSTRATTAN (knee – season), Bard PORTER (knee – 6 weeks), Nik MRDJA (knee – 6 weeks),  Michael BAIRD (knee – 3 weeks)

Head-to-Head: All matches (played 2): Melbourne Heart wins 0, Central Coast Mariners wins 2 (0 draws)

• Central Coast Mariners aiming for new club record of nine away matches in a row undefeated. 

Adelaide United vs. Wellington Phoenix
Saturday, 5 Feb 2011
Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Local kick-off: 6:30pm (7.00pm AEDT)
Referee: Matthew Breeze
Assistant referees: Paul Cetrangolo Daniel Goodwin
Fourth official: Regis Queffelec

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 2, FS2 HD and Sky Sports 1 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club partner is ABC Digital (Adelaide) and  The Radio Network (Wellington) 1035AM. To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au

Adelaide United: 1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 2.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 3.Nigel BOOGAARD, 6.CASSIO, 7.Lucas PANTELIS, 8.Adam HUGHES, 9.Sergio VAN DIJK, 10.Marcos FLORES, 11.Andy SLORY, 12. Paul REID, 13.Travis DODD (c), 14.Cameron WATSON, 16.Dario BODRUSIC, 17.Iain RAMSAY, 19.Mathew LECKIE, 20.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), 21.Francisco USUCAR, 22.Osama MALIK *three to be omitted*
In: Lucas PANTELIS (promoted), Dario BODRUSIC (promoted), Osama MALIK (promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Daniel MULLEN (knee – season), Joe COSTA (knee – season), Joe KEENAN (leg – season), Fabian BARBIERO (ankle – season)

Wellington Phoenix: 3. Tony LOCHHEAD’ 4. Nicky WARD, 6. Tim BROWN, 9, Chris GREENACRE, 10, Oscar Roberto CORNEJO, 11. DANIEL, 12. James MUSA, 13. Troy HEARFIELD, 14. Mirjan PAVLOVIC, 15. Jade NORTH, 17. Vince LIA, 19, Danny VUKOVIC, 20, Reece CROWTHER, 21. Marco ROJAS, 22. Andrew DURANTE, 23. Dylan MACALLISTER *one to be omitted*
In: Mirjan PAVLOVIC (promoted); Jade NORTH (returns from international duty)
Out: Leo Bertos (injury)
Unavailable: Paul IFILL (leg – four weeks), Mark PASTON (gk, knee – season), Ben SIGMUND (Suspended – 2 weeks), Manny MUSCAT (suspended – 2 weeks)

Head-to-Head: All matches (played 11): Adelaide United wins 5, Wellington Phoenix wins 2 (4 draws)

• This will be Wellington’s 100^th Hyundai A-League match.

Newcastle Jets vs. Sydney FC
Sunday, 6 Feb 2011
EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle
Local kick-off: 5:00pm
Referee: Peter Green
Assistant referees: Alyson Flynn Sarah Ho
Fourth official: Gerard Parsons

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 2, FS2 HD & Sky Sport 3 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is 1233 ABC Newcastle and SBS Digital 6 Sydney. To purchase tickets visit www.proticket.com.au

Newcastle Jets: 1. Ben KENNEDY (gk), 2. Taylor REGAN, 3. Adam D'APUZZO, 4. Nikolai TOPOR STANLEY (c), 9. Zhang SHUO, 11. Tarek ELRICH, 12. Jobe WHEELHOUSE, 13. Sasho PETROVSKI, 14. Labinot HALITI, 16. Jeremy BROCKIE, 18. Marko JESIC , 19.Ali ABBAS, 22. Kaz PATAFTA, 25. Samuel GALLAWAY, 26. James VIRGILI, 28. Mario SIMIC, 31. Jacob PEPPER, 40. Matthew NASH *three to be omitted*
In: Taylor REGAN (promoted), ), Ali ABBAS (returns from injury), Kaz PATAFTA (returns from injury), Sasho PETROVSKI (returns from injury)
Out: 17. Marcello FIORENTINI
Unavailable: Michael BRIDGES (knee - six weeks), Sean ROONEY (knee - season), Ben KANTAROVSKI (knee - season), Brodie MOOY (compartment syndrome - season), Kasey WEHRMAN (Foot - four weeks), Ruben ZADKOVICH (knee - two weeks), Neil YOUNG (not selected), Ryan Griffiths (suspension)

Sydney FC: 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, 30.Dylan MITCHELL (gk) *three to be omitted*
In: Brendan GAN, Kofi DANNING, Rhyan GRANT (all promoted).
Out: Alex BROSQUE (transferred to Shimizu S-Pulse)
Unavailable: Liam REDDY (suspended – 1 match), Hayden FOXE (groin – 2 weeks), Mark BRIDGE (stomach – 1 week), Terry ANTONIS (knee – indefinite)

Head-to-Head: All matches (played 19): Newcastle Jets wins 3, Sydney FC wins 11 (5 draws)

• Newcastle Jets have scored 99 goals in their 71 Hyundai A-League matches at EnergyAustralia Stadium to date, meaning the Jets’ next goal scored at the venue will be the club’s 100^th goal at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
• This will be the 150^th Hyundai A-League match for both Newcastle Jets and Sydney FC.

Perth Glory vs. Gold Coast United
Sunday, 6 Feb 2011
nib Stadium, Perth
Local kick-off: 5:00pm (8:00pm AEDT)
Referee: Jared Gillet
Assistant referees: Matthew Cheeseman Josh Manella
Fourth official: Michael Nugus

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 2, FS2 HD and Sky Sports 3 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club broadcast partners are 6PR 882AM (Perth). To purchase tickets visit www.ticketmaster.com.au.

Perth Glory: 1. Tando VELAPHI (gk), 2.Josh MITCHELL, 7.Jacob BURNS (c), 9.Robbie FOWLER, 11.Branko JELIC, 12.Scott NEVILLE, 13.Tommy AMPHLETT, 14.Steven McGARRY, 15.Howard FONDYKE, 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17. Todd HOWARTH, 18.Brent GRIFFITHS, 19. Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20. Alex PEARSON (gk), 21.Mile STERJOVSKI, 24. Josh RISDON, 26. Adam TAGGART *three to be omitted*
In: Jamie HARNWELL (returns from suspension), Branko JELIC (promoted), Brent GRIFFITHS (promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: 6.Chris COYNE (Achilles – season), 22.Anthony SKORICH (groin – 1 week)

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, 13.Bas VAN DEN BRINK, 14.Joel PORTER, 15.Tahj MINNIECON, 16.Kristian REES, 20.Scott HIGGINS [gk], 21.Golgol MEBRAHTU, 22.Adama TRAORE, 23.Steve FITZSIMMONS, 27.Chris HAROLD, 28.Zac ANDERSON, 33.Peter PERCHTOLD, 34.Sung-Kil KIM. *four to be omitted*
In: 7.Zenon CARAVELLA (return from hip injury), 13.Bas VAN DEN BRINK (return from ankle injury), 21.Golgol MEBRAHTU (promoted), 23.Steve FITZSIMMONS (promoted), 27.Chris HAROLD (promoted), 34.Sung-Kil KIM (promoted).
Out: 11.Bruce DJITE (hamstring injury – 1 game), 24.John CURTIS (shoulder injury – unknown).
Unavailable: 10.Jason CULINA (knee injury – season), 5.ROBSON (hamstring injury – 5 weeks), Daniel PIORKOWSKI (ankle injury – indefinite), Matt OSMAN (knee injury – season).

Head-to-Head: All matches (played 5): Perth Glory wins 0, Gold Coast United wins 3 (2 draws)

• Gold Coast United defender BAS VAN DEN BRINK is set to make his 50^th Hyundai A-League appearance.

Hyundai A-League 2010/11 League Table

Hyundai A-League 2010/11 - Leading Goal-Scorers

16 - Sergio VAN DIJK

11 - Robbie KRUSE, Jean Carlos SOLORANZO

10 - Kosta BARBAROUSES, Matt SIMON

9 - Bruce DJITE, Robbie FOWLER, Adam KWASNIK

8 - Bruno CAZARINE, Marcos FLORES

7 - John ALOISI, Paul IFILL, Gerald SIBON

6 - Alex BROSQUE, Tim BROWN, Chris GREENACRE, Dylan MacALLISTER

5 - Danny ALLSOPP, Jason CULINA, Mate DUGANDZIC, Carlos HERNANDEZ, Mitch NICHOLS, Patricio PEREZ, REINALDO, Mile STERJOVSKI, David WILLIAMS

4 - Thomas BROICH, Travis DODD, Iain FYFE, Mark HUGHES, Marko JESIC, Mathew LECKIE, James MEYER, Chris PAYNE, Iain RAMSAY, Shane SMELTZ, Alex TERRA

3 - Leo BERTOS, Shannon COLE, Labinot HALITI, Nick KALMAR, Daniel MCBREEN, Dimitri PETRATOS, Sasho PETROVSKI, Joshua ROSE, Ufuk TALAY, Archie THOMPSON, Bas VAN DEN BRINK, Patrick ZWAANSWIJK

2 - Eli BABALJ, Grant BREBNER, James BROWN, Dyron DAAL, Dino DJULBIC, Ivan FRANJIC, Rostyn GRIFFITHS, Chris GROSSMAN, Todd HOWARTH, Branko JELIC, Juho MAKELA, Matt MCKAY, Kevin MUSCAT, Scott NEVILLE, Erik PAARTALU, Tom PONDELJAK, Joel PORTER, RICARDINHO, ROBSON, Marco ROJAS, Ben SIGMUND, Matt SMITH, Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, Adama TRAORE, Rodrigo VARGAS, Nick WARD, Ruben ZADKOVICH, Adrian ZAHRA

1 -  Ali ABASS, Michael BAIRD, Fabian BARBIERO, Andrew BARISIC, Mark BRIDGE, Michael BRIDGES, Jeremy BROCKIE, Leigh BROXHAM, Nicky CARLE, Billy CELESKI, Isaka CERNAK, Simon COLOSIMO, Robert CORNTHWAITE, Jamie COYNE, John CURTIS, Luke DEVERE, Dino DJUBLIC, Gareth EDDS, Diogo FERRERIA, Brendan GAN, Rhyan GRANT, Ryan GRIFFITHS, Jamie HARNWELL, Chris HAROLD, John HUTCHINSON, Scott JAMIESON, Francis JEFFERS, Joe KEENAN, Stephan KELLER, Matthew LEWIS, Vince LIA, Terry MCFLYNN, Michael McGLINCHEY, Josh MITCHELL, Hirofumi MORIYASU, Daniel MULLEN, Massimo MURDOCCA, Panagiotis NIKAS, Steve PANTELIDIS, Adriano PELLEGRINO, Paul REID, Sean ROONEY, Zhang SHUO, Eugene SSEPPUYA, Simon STOREY, Matt THOMPSON, Rocky VISCONTE, Alex WILKINSON, Rutger WORM