With two rounds to go in the A-League Women, there are still a massive five teams capable of coming out on top in the finals race.
Read our preview of all of the Matildas at Home action below.
The Newcastle Jets host Melbourne Victory on Saturday, 4pm AEDT. The Jets currently sit in seventh place, three points away from sixth and a finals berth. A win is essential for them to ensure that they stay in the race if the Wanderers get even one point on the weekend. It’s a big game for Victory as well – a win could see them finish the round as high as first place, pending other results. They will need three points to realistically stay in the battle for the premiership.
Alex Chidiac and Emily Gielnik are expected to continue their run of starts for Victory. Elise Kellond-Knight has been named in the extended squad, but has been battling with injury, while Lydia Williams remains unavailable.
It’s third against fourth as Melbourne City take on the Central Coast Mariners on Saturday, 4pm AEDT. Both sides are bolstered by the return of their CommBank Young Matildas – Naomi Chinnama, Tijan McKenna and Daniela Galic for City, and Australia’s top goalscorer Peta Trimis for the Mariners.
With the teams both guaranteed a place in the finals, an opportunity to stay in the race for first place, and an all-important top two spot – with its prize of a path straight to the two-legged semi-finals – is at stake. Kyah Simon will be available for the Mariners.
It’s another crucial clash in Western Sydney as the Wanderers take on Western United on Saturday, 6pm AEDT. The Wanderers are currently in sixth. A point for them would eliminate eighth-placed Wellington Phoenix from the title race and – if Victory defeat the Jets – would guarantee them a finals place. Meanwhile, second-place Western United will be searching for three points to temporarily go to the top of the table and keep pace with current first-place Sydney FC.
The goals of Sophie Harding will be crucial if the Wanderers are able to get over the line in this game. Western United were hit with the dual injury blows of Chloe Logarzo and Adriana Taranto last week and will be hoping the return of CommBank Young Matilda, Kahli Johnson, can add more impetus to their attacking threat.
Canberra United host Wellington Phoenix on Sunday, 2pm AEDT. Canberra are playing for pride, and to avoid finishing bottom, while the Phoenix could still be in the running for the top six – they’ll be hoping the Wanderers fail to earn a point on Saturday. Michelle Heyman will be hoping to add to her 14 goals in the season so far, to increase her lead in the golden boot race and to lift her team up the table.
Sydney FC take on Adelaide United on Sunday, 4pm AEDT. The Sky Blues welcome back six players from CommBank Young Matildas duty – including regulars Zara Kruger, Shay Hollman, Indiana Dos Santos and Maddy Caspers – and fans will hope Cortnee Vine and Jada Whyman can continue their fantastic form on the back of selection to the CommBank Matildas squad to take on Mexico.
Adelaide are out of finals contention and will be hoping that Canberra fail to take points off the Phoenix, so that they remain ahead of them on the table. Meanwhile, a fourth-straight premiership is in Sydney’s hands – win their remaining games, and they will finish first.
The final game of the round is between two sides out of the running for finals contention, Brisbane Roar and Perth Glory, on Sunday, 4pm AEDT. There will still be plenty on the line for individuals – players on both sides looking to impress their coaches ahead of next season, and hoping to finish their seasons positively. Tameka Yallop will be available for the Roar.
You can catch all of the Matildas at Home in the A-League Women live and free on 10Play, or Paramount+.