PREVIEW OF A-LEAGUE ROUND 13 MATCHES (all times AEDT):

FRIDAY, Jan 3

Melbourne City v Western United, AAMI Park, 7.30pm

Head to head: City 1, United 0, drawn 0

Last clash: Round 3, 2019-20, City 2-1 at GMHBA Stadium

Melbourne City's big game credentials are well and truly under pressure after back-to-back defeats, while United were left smarting after their loss to Wellington. A clash between second and fourth on the table shapes as a tantalising contest as both sides eye derby bragging rights - especially after City prevailed with 10 men in their last encounter.

Key: Jamie Maclaren was the difference last time around and after two quiet outings against Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC, will be out to prove a point against an undermanned United defence.

Tip: City

SATURDAY, Jan 4

Wellington Phoenix v Central Coast Mariners at Westpac Stadium, 5pm

Head to head: Phoenix 14, Mariners 15, drawn 7

Last clash: Round 21, 2018-19, Wellington 8-2 at Central Coast Stadium

The Mariners have copped a tough turnaround for this one - heading to Wellington for a game just four days after their New Year's Eve loss to Perth Glory. The Phoenix are unbeaten in seven games and have flown somewhat under the radar, but will want to maintain their good form at home.

Key: Ulises Davila put Western United to the sword in round 12. The Mexican star is mesmerising on the ball and a creative force around goal and will look to give the Mariners' defence plenty of headaches.

Tip: Phoenix

SATURDAY, Jan 4

Sydney FC v Adelaide United at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 7.30pm

Head to head: Sky Blues 19, Reds 17, drawn 8

Last clash: Round 1, 2019-20, Sydney 3-2 at Coopers Stadium

The Sky Blues are clearly the best team in the league right now, while the Reds are suffering their way through a mini-form slump with back-to-back losses. Sydney FC are high on confidence after a stirring win over Melbourne City and will look to inflict further punishment on Adelaide - who they are unbeaten against in 10 A-League matches stretching back to April 2016.

Key: If the Reds are to find a break through, they need James Troisi, who has had mixed form but whose quality is undoubted, to be at his creative best. Troisi is a big-game player and this is an important road trip for Gertjan Verbeek's side.

Tip: Sydney FC

SUNDAY, Jan 5

Melbourne Victory v Newcastle Jets at AAMI Park, 6.30pm

Head to head: Victory 17, Jets 17, drawn 9

Last clash: Round 21, 2018-19, Jets 2-0 at GMHBA Stadium

Victory arrested their poor start to the season with a superb performance in the Melbourne derby against City. Fresh off the bye, they will want to kick off 2020 in style against Ernie Merrick's Jets, who are coming off a draw with Brisbane. They'll be without skipper Ola Toivonen, who is suspended.

Key: Robbie Kruse has been a masterful inclusion for Victory this season, and with Ola Toivonen missing, he and former Jet Andrew Nabbout will need to be at their freewheeling best.

Tip: Victory

BYE: Perth Glory

* Brisbane Roar defeated Western Sydney Wanderers 2-1 at Bankwest Stadium on Wednesday night.