With the A-League transfer window shutting during the week, the squads are finalised for the run home in one of the closest seasons to date.
Melbourne City might be seven points clear at the top of the table, but the remaining 11 clubs are split by a mere 10 points with 11 matches remaining with every club still a chance of making the finals.
It’s a huge weekend of action with the Sydney Derby on Saturday night headlining Round 16 as the second placed Wanderers look for another win over their local rivals.
We’ve got our tips and previews for every match below so read on and find our best bets for the A-League.
The weekend kicks off with a desperation derby of sorts with both of these clubs desperate for a win.
Brisbane has now gone five matches without a victory as their striker shortage continues to plague them.
Central Coast on the other side is in the midst of a three match winless run after a frustrating ending against Sydney FC last week.
However the Mariners still have the attacking prowess to cause problems for the Roar’s normally stingy backline.
If the Mariners get off to a fast start, it’s tough to see Brisbane finding a way back into the match.
It’s been a week of change for Western United with a number of players departing and some fresh faces brought in at the end of the transfer window.
Those additions will need to hit the ground running with Adelaide coming to town on the back of a hard fought win over the Roar.
On their last trip to Melbourne to face John Aloisi’s squad, the Reds rolled their opponents 4-2 thanks to a three goal blitz in the opening half hour.
Adelaide looks like they are returning to their free scoring ways with five goals in their last two matches and look like they should find a way to pick up another three points.
Always a highlight on the A-League calendar, this particular edition of the Sydney Derby has plenty on the line for both clubs.
Having moved up to second spot, the Wanderers are chasing back to back wins over their local rivals for the first time since the 2019-2020 season.
Meanwhile Sydney FC looks as though they are starting to find some form on the back of much needed wins over the Victory and Mariners.
As tends to be the case with these derby fixtures, we’re expecting a low scoring, hard fought arm wrestle that bucks the A-League’s recent trend of end to end encounters.
Eight of the last ten derbies have had two or fewer goals scored and if there is a fixture to take the under, this is it.
Perth’s phenomenal record at their temporary home of Macedonia Park will be put to the test when Melbourne City comes to town.
Fresh off a 6-1 demolition of Macarthur last week, City will try and become the first team to defeat the Glory men in the west this season.
However even the head to head market is giving Perth a chance to hold out at home, with City at $1.70 at the time of publish.
Normally that would be the perfect opportunity to jump on the visitors, however with the strike power on display, the value here lies in the total goals market.
Backing the overs has hit in Perth’s last five matches and City are always a chance to put up a rugby score on their day.
Even though they enter Round 16 in last place on the A-League ladder, the Victory have not given up on their finals push just yet.
With the squad bolstered through the transfer market, the visitors will be out to add to their long list of fond memories playing in the Hunter.
Reigning Johnny Warren Medalist Jake Brimmer is looking like the spark for the Victory, scoring off spectacular free kicks in back to back weeks and he will come up against Reno Piscopo who is the engine driving the Jets.
It looks as though the market has the head to head odds about right with the Victory a slight favourite at the time of publish.
However just like the Perth match, it is a bit of a surprise to see the total goals market priced the way it is so we will back the overs and bank on both forward lines to have a good day at the office.
Wellington is establishing itself as a tough opponent week in, week out once again as Ufuk Talay once again weaves his magic on this squad.
Despite going down to the Victory last week, they can at least take solace in the fact that appeared to be an isolated incident following a run of 10 points from their prior four matches.
Macarthur’s season went from bad to worse as they were dismantled by a ruthless Melbourne City side.
At some point the Bulls should find a way to rebound but until they do, they have entered the “back against at all costs” territory.