Make Or Break Weekend?

After Central Coast and Melbourne Victory do battle in an important finals-like affair, Brisbane travels to Hindmarsh Stadium to face second-placed Adelaide United.

It is a notorious goalfest when Victory visit Bluetongue Stadium, a meeting that has produced 29 goals in eight clashes.

The Mariners, often labelled boring, have produced 33 goals in 11 home games in season six.

Victory are on a six-game unbeaten run and will be confident of finishing 2010 with another important three points.

In the clash between the top two, high-flying Roar travel to Adelaide aiming to extend their unbeaten run to 19.

In-form striker Kosta Barbarouses has scored three times against the Reds, the club he has found the net the most against.

Fellow gun striker and golden boot leader Sergio van Dijk has never scored against his former club and will need to be at his best if the Reds are to avenge for the 4-0 thrashing at Suncorp Stadium in early November.

Finals contender Melbourne Heart play host to North Queensland Fury, a team they have beaten twice this season.

Although Heart have collected the least points of any team at home in season six, Fury are yet to win at AAMI Park and remain the only team yet to collect three points when leading at the main break.

Gold Coast welcome another team yet to beat them when Perth Glory travel to Skilled Park. After keeping their unbeaten record against Roar intact, United welcome a struggling Glory side.

Glory have lost three of their four meetings against Gold Coast, including both played at Skilled Park.

Newcastle Jets will be hopeful of beating bogey side Sydney FC to open 2011 and cement a spot in the top six.

The Jets have won just three of 18 meetings between the two sides and the Sky Blues have a solid record at EnergyAustralia Stadium.

But after succumbing to a fifth successive defeat against Adelaide mid-week, Sydney’s run for the finals is all but over.

Bluetongue Goal fests

Central Coast and Melbourne Victory have shared 29 goals in eight meetings at Bluetongue Stadium. There have been 33 goals scored in 11 games at the venue in season six

Victory Run

Melbourne Victory are undefeated in six outings

Roaring On

Brisbane are undefeated in 18 outings

Red Sergio

Adelaide United striker Sergio van Dijk will aim to get on the scoresheet against his former side for the first time

Home Not Where Heart is

Melbourne Heart have collected the least points at home of any team in season six

Holding On Lacks Fury

North Queensland are the only team yet to win when leading at half time this season, holding on for two draws and twice being overrun

All Gold Up North

Gold Coast United have won three of their four meetings with Perth Glory with the other being a draw

Sky Blue at EA

Sydney FC have won four of eight visits to EnergyAustralia Stadium and 10 of 18 clashes with Newcastle

Central Coast Mariners vs. Melbourne Victory

Friday, 31 December 2010

Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford

Local kick-off: 6:00pm

Referee: Ben Williams

Assistant referees: Ben Wilson and Hakan Anaz 

Fourth official: Gerard Parsons 

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1, FS1 HD and Sky Sports 1 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club broadcast partners are 96.3 Coast FM (Gosford), 774 ABC (Melbourne) and SEN. To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au.

Central Coast Mariners: 20. Mathew RYAN (gk), 2. Daniel McBREEN, 3. Joshua ROSE, 6. Patrick ZWAANSWIJK, 7. John HUTCHINSON, 10. Patricio PEREZ, 11. Oliver BOZANIC, 12. Matthew LEWIS, 14. Michael McGLINCHEY, 16. Trent SAINSBURY, 17. Chris DOIG, 18. Alex WILKINSON (c), 19. Matt SIMON, 22. Mustafa AMINI, 23. Adam KWASNIK, 30. Paul HENDERSON (gk).

*one to be omitted*

In: Matthew LEWIS (promoted), Trent SAINSBURY (promoted)

Out: Rostyn GRIFFITHS (suspended - one match), Pedj BOJIC (suspended – 2 weeks (pending appeal))

Unavailable: Brad PORTER (knee - 8 weeks), Jess VANSTRATTAN (knee - season)

Melbourne Victory: 1.Michael PETKOVIC (gk), 2. Kevin MUSCAT (c), 3. Mate DUGANDZIC, 5. Surat SUKHA, 6. Leigh BROXHAM, 9. RICARDINHO, 11.Marvin ANGULO, 12.Rodrigo VARGAS, 13. Diogo FERREIRA, 14. Billy CELESKI, 15. Tom PONDELJAK, 16.Carlos HERNANDEZ, 19. Evan BERGER, 20. Sebastian MATTEI (gk), 21. Robbie KRUSE, 23. Adrian LEIJER.

*one to be omitted*

In: Grant BREBNER (returns from suspension)

Out: Nil

Unavailable: Archie THOMPSON (hamstring), Matthew KEMP (groin), Grant BREBNER (suspended)

Head-to-Head: All matches (played 17): Central Coast Mariners wins 6, Melbourne Victory wins 7 (4 draws)

• Melbourne Victory defender GRANT BREBNER is set to make his 100^th Hyundai A-League appearance.

Melbourne Heart vs. North QLD Fury

Sunday, 2 January 2010

AAMI Park, Melbourne

Local kick-off: 5:00pm

Referee: Peter Green

Assistant referees: Shaun Evans and James Nicolopoulos

Fourth official: Lucien Laverdure

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1, FS1 HD and Sky Sports 2 (NZ). Hyundai A-League partner is 774 ABC (Melbourne), SEN and Zinc 100.7 FM (Townsville). To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au.

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), Kristian SARKIES (promoted), Alex TERRA (returns from injury), Kliment TASESKI (promoted), Dean HEFFERNAN (promoted)

Out: Nil

Unavailable: Eli Babalj (thigh – four weeks)

North Queensland Fury squad: 1. Justin PASFIELD (gk), 2. Jack HINGERT, 3. Brad McDONALD, 4. Eric AKOTO, 5. Mark HUGHES, 6. Ufuk TALAY (c), 7. Gareth EDDS, 8. Adam CASEY, 10. Dyron DAAL, 11. David WILLIAMS, 12. Panagiotis NIKAS, 13. Andre KILIAN, 14. Chris GROSSMAN, 15. Chris PAYNE, 16. Simon STOREY, 18. Brett STUDMAN, 21. Jason SPAGNUOLO, 24. Ramazan TAVSANCIOGLU, 28. Sebastian USAI (gk)
* Four to be omitted*
In: Jack HINGERT (promoted), Eric AKOTO (returns from injury), Adam CASEY (promoted), Brett STUDMAN (promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable:   Osama MALIK (hamstring – 4-6 weeks), Isaka CERNAK (knee - unknown), Matthew HAM (knee –season)

Head-to-Head: All matches (played 2): Melbourne Heart wins 2, North Queensland Fury wins 0 (0 draws)

• This will be North Queensland Fury’s 50^th Hyundai A-League match.

Adelaide United vs. Brisbane Roar

Sunday, 2 January 2010

Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide

Local kick-off: 6:30pm

Referee: Matthew Breeze

Assistant referees: Paul Cetrangolo and Daniel Goodwin

Fourth official: Christian Verdicio

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports, FS1 HD and Sky Sports 2 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club partners are ABC Digital (Adelaide). 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, 18.Fabian BARBIERO, 20.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), 26.Joe KEENAN

*one to be omitted*

In: Travis DODD (returns from injury)

Out: Nil

Unavailable: Daniel MULLEN (knee – season), Mathew LECKIE (knee – 4 weeks), Joe COSTA (knee – season)

Brisbane Roar: 1. Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2. Matt SMITH, 3. Luke DEVERE, 4. Shane STEFANUTTO, 5. Ivan FRANJIC, 6. Erik PAARTALU, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Massimo MURDOCCA, 9. Jean Carlos SOLORZANO, 10. HENRIQUE, 14. Rocky VISCONTE, 17. Mitch NICHOLS, 18. Luke BRATTAN, 20. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 21. James MEYER, 22. Thomas BROICH, 23. Milan SUSAK

In: HENRIQUE (returns from broken arm)

Out: Matt McKAY (international duty – 4 weeks)

Unavailable: Matt MUNDY (knee – 1 week)

Head-to-Head: All matches (played 18): Adelaide United wins 8, Brisbane Roar wins 4 (6 draws)

• Having lost none of their previous nine away matches, Brisbane Roar will be aiming to equal the Hyundai A-League’s record for longest undefeated streak away from home (10) – a record currently held by Sydney FC (10 away matches undefeated, September 2007 to January 2008).

Newcastle Jets vs. Sydney FC

Monday, 3 January 2010

EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle

Local kick-off: 5:00pm

Referee: Matthew Gillett

Assistant referees: Ryan Gallagher and Rod Allen

Fourth official: Stuart Wolfe

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1, FS1 HD & Sky Sport 2 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is 1233 ABC Newcastle and SBS 6 Digital (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, 5. Ljubo MILICEVIC, 7. Kasey WEHRMAN (c), 10. Ruben ZADKOVICH, 11. Tarek ELRICH, 12. Jobe WHEELHOUSE, 13. Sasho PETROVSKI, 14. Labinot HALITI, 17. Marcello FIORENTINI, 18. Marko JESIC, 19. Ali ABBAS, 22. Kaz PATAFTA, 24. Francis JEFFERS, 26. James VIRGILI, 27. Tomislav MISURA, 31. Jacob PEPPER, 50.Jack DUNCAN

*five to be omitted*

In: Taylor REGAN, Kaz PATAFTA, James VIRGILI, Tomislav MISURA, Jacob PEPPER

Out:  Nil

Unavailable: Neil YOUNG (illness – indefinite), Michael BRIDGES (knee - 6 weeks), Jeremy BROCKIE (broken foot – 6-8 weeks), Sean ROONEY (knee - season), Ben KANTAROVSKI (knee - season), Matthew NASH (groin - 2 weeks)

Sydney FC: 1. Liam REDDY (gk), 2. Sebastian RYALL, 3. Stephan KELLER, 5. Hayden FOXE, 6. Hirofumi MORIYASU, 7. Brendan GAN, 8. Stuart MUSIALIK, 9. Bruno CAZARINE, 11. Kofi DANNING, 12. Shannon COLE, 15. Terry MCFLYNN (c), 19. Mark BRIDGE, 20. Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 21. Scott JAMIESON, 22. Sung-Hwan BYUN, 23, Rhyan GRANT, 24. Dimitri PETRATOS, #. Juho MAKELA

*three to be omitted*

In: Rhyan GRANT (returns from injury), Brendan GAN (promoted), Juho MAKELA (pending International Transfer Clearance)
Out: Nil

Unavailable: Alex BROSQUE (groin – 3 weeks), Terry ANTONIS (knee – 4 weeks)

Head-to-Head: All matches (played 18): Newcastle Jets wins 3, Sydney FC wins 10 (5 draws)

• Newcastle Jets midfielder TAREK ELRICH is set to make his 100^th Australian national league appearance. Elrich made two appearances for Sydney Olympic in the NSL before joining Newcastle Jets in 2005.

Gold Coast United vs. Perth Glory

Monday, 3 January 2010

Skilled Park, Robina

Local kick-off: 6:00pm

Referee: Peter O'Leary

Assistant referees: Denis Silk and Brad Hobson

Fourth official: Alan Milliner

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1, FS1 HD & Sky Sports 1 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is 6PR 882AM (Perth). To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au

Gold Coast United Squad:

1.Glen MOSS [gk], 2.Steve PANTELIDIS, 5.ROBSON, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Zenon CARAVELLA, 8.ANDERSON, 11.Bruce DJITE, 13.Bas VAN DEN BRINK, 14.Joel PORTER, 16.Kristian REES, 19.Andrew BARISIC, 20.Scott HIGGINS [gk], 21.Golgol MEBRAHTU, 22.Adama TRAORE, 23.Steve FITZSIMMONS, 24.John CURTIS, 25.Chris BROADFOOT, 27.Chris HAROLD.

*three to be omitted*

In: ANDERSON (promoted), Andrew BARISIC (promoted), Golgol MEBRAHTU (promoted), Steve FITZSIMMONS (promoted), Chris BROADFOOT (promoted), Chris HAROLD (promoted).

Out: Michael THWAITE (suspended – 1 match), Jason CULINA (international duty), Ben HALLORAN (not selected).

Unavailable: James BROWN (ankle injury – 1 week), Daniel PIORKOWSKI (ankle injury – indefinite), Matt OSMAN (knee injury – indefinite).

Perth Glory: 1. Tando VELAPHI (gk), 2. Josh MITCHELL, 3. Jamie COYNE, 5.Jamie HARNWELL, 6.Chris COYNE, 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, 22.Anthony SKORICH, 24. Josh RISDON.

*five to be omitted*

In: Chris COYNE (returns from loan), Branko JELIC (promoted), Tommy AMPHLETT (promoted), Brent GRIFFITHS (promoted)

Out:

Unavailable: Andy TODD (hip – 1 week), Victor SIKORA (hip – season)

Head-to-Head: All matches (played 4): Gold Coast United wins 3, Perth Glory wins 0 (1 draw)

• Gold Coast United midfielder TAHJ MINNIECON 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

11 - Sergio VAN DIJK

10 - Kosta BARBAROUSES, Robbie KRUSE

9 - Robbie FOWLER, Jean Carlos SOLORANZO

7 - Paul IFILL, Adam KWASNIK, Matt SIMON

6 - Alex BROSQUE, Tim BROWN, Bruno CAZARINE

5 - Jason CULINA, Marcos FLORES, Chris GREENACRE, REINALDO, Gerald SIBON, David WILLIAMS

4 - John ALOISI, Iain FYFE, Carlos HERNANDEZ, Marko JESIC, Mathew LECKIE, Mitch NICHOLS, Chris PAYNE, Mile STERJOVSKI

3 - Leo BERTOS, Thomas BROICH, Shannon COLE, Bruce DJITE, Mark HUGHES, Nick KALMAR, Dylan MacALLISTER, Sasho PETROVSKI, Iain RAMSAY, Ufuk TALAY, Archie THOMPSON, Bas VAN DEN BRINK, Patrick ZWAANSWIJK

2 - Eli BABALJ, James BROWN, Dyron DAAL, Dino DJULBIC, Travis DODD, Mate DUGANDZIC, Ivan FRANJIC, Rostyn GRIFFITHS, Chris GROSSMAN, Branko JELIC, Daniel MCBREEN, Matt MCKAY, Kevin MUSCAT, Scott NEVILLE, Patricio PEREZ, Joel PORTER, RICARDINHO, ROBSON, Joshua ROSE, Ben SIGMUND, Shane SMELTZ, Matt SMITH, Alex TERRA, Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, Rodrigo VARGAS, Adrian ZAHRA

1 -  Ali ABASS, Michael BAIRD, Andrew BARISIC, Grant BREBNER, Mark BRIDGE, Michael BRIDGES, Jeremy BROCKIE, Leigh BROXHAM, Billy CELESKI, Isaka CERNAK, Simon COLOSIMO, Robert CORNTHWAITE, Jamie COYNE, John CURTIS, Luke DEVERE, Dino DJUBLIC, Gareth EDDS, Brendan GAN, Rhyan GRANT, Labinot HALITI, Jamie HARNWELL, Scott JAMIESON, Francis JEFFERS, Joe KEENAN, Stephan KELLER, Matthew LEWIS, Terry MCFLYNN, Josh MITCHELL, Daniel MULLEN, Massimo MURDOCCA, Erik PAARTALU, Steve PANTELIDIS, Adriano PELLEGRINO, Tom PONDELJAK, Paul REID, Marco ROJAS, Sean ROONEY, Eugene SSEPPUYA, Simon STOREY, Matt THOMPSON, Adama TRAORE, Rocky VISCONTE, Nick WARD, Alex WILKINSON, Rutger WORM, Ruben ZADKOVICH