MELBOURNE CITY

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Like Phoenix, City looms as Sydney FC’s biggest rivals for the A-League championship (the Premiership is Sydney's for sure). 

PLUS...

Stranded players slam travel fiasco

Frustrated A-League players have branded the situation a "shambles" after they were left stranded in Melbourne and unable to leave Victoria, with the restart of the A-League season in doubt, because of the quarantine rules.

Sitting second on the A-League ladder with 12 wins to date, Erick Mombaerts’ side has found that missing ingredient from years gone by and have some brilliant import talents. 

Luna, Noone, Susaeta, and Berenguer have sheer class and talent, giving City a fluid edge going forward. 

Add the immense drive of defender Scott Jamieson, and this is a Melbourne City that’s a joy to watch, and with enough will to get them through tough times in games. 

Their clash with Sydney FC on Aug 1 will be sensational and a potential harbinger of the A-League hub Grand Final. 

NEWCASTLE JETS

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An F3 derby in game two of the A-League hub should be a cracker in Gosford.  
 
Three points off the six going into this A-League hub, can the Jets reignite their season? 
 
 
In a boost, Welsh international player Joe Ledley will be back with the group.
 
What's more, the entire coaching staff made it back to Newcastle last month.
 
Head coach Carl Robinson, along with Kenny Miller and new assistant Darren Bazeley will have had valuable time with the Jets before they kick off their first game against Sydney FC. 

Watch out for former Sydney FC pair Bernie Ibini and Dimi Petratos upfront. 

But Wes Hoolahan returned to the UK for personal reasons and won’t be back for the hub, however, talks are on-going regarding a return to Newcastle for next season.

Keeper Glen Moss has retired and Kaine Shepherd has departed the club. 

PERTH GLORY

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Glory, fifth on the ladder, face the bottom-place Mariners in Gosford in the club's first A-League hub game. 

Then it’s down to Sydney for the remaining games for Tony Popovic’s men. 

The pick of these being a meeting with finals rivals Phoenix on 23 July and the Reds a week later. 

PLUS...

'We're determined to go one better' – Perth Glory are ready to go

Perth assistant coach Hayden Foxe says Glory are determined to finish on a high and go one better than last season.

As for the AFC Champions League, it’s still unclear what happens with Glory’s games. 

In good news, BHP has continued their sponsorship of the club. 

SYDNEY FC

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On paper, the league leaders should cruise through their last few games before the A-League finals series. 

But who knows? 

A couple of in-house games and a friendly with Central Coast today rounds out Steve Corica’s preparations. 

Their first A-League hub game is a massive clash with the dangerous Wellington Phoenix (coached by former Sky Blue assistant Ufuk Talay). 

PLUS...

Sydney FC relishing hectic match schedule

A hectic end to the A-League season for runaway leaders Sydney FC has been welcomed by veteran goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne.

Corica says depth in his squad will be key in managing what is set to be a tough six weeks where they’ll play at BankWest, ANZ, Netstata stadia (with two further games a TBC on the venues). 

Four days after Wellington is Newcastle Jets with games coming thick and fast. 

Their clash with potential A-League grand final rivals Melbourne City on Aug 1 should be a ripper. 

However, given their home advantage with this hub, Sydney FC is favorites to retain their A-League championship.