The Isuzu UTE A-League 2025-26 season rolls on this weekend and aleagues.com.au has everything you need to know ahead of Round 9.
Read on for a game-by-game preview ahead of Round 9.
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Macarthur v Brisbane Roar
Friday, December 19 – Campbelltown Sports Stadium – 6:00pm AEDT
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Current table position
Macarthur: 10th
Brisbane Roar: 2nd
Round 8 result
Macarthur: Did not play due to AFC Champions League Two commitments
Brisbane Roar: 0-0 draw with Western Sydney Wanderers (A)
Macarthur will be aiming to carry their strong Asian Champions League Two (ACL Two) form into the Isuzu Ute A-League as they look to kick start their domestic campaign. Even at home, the matchup against the Brisbane Roar won’t be easy.
While they comfortably topped their ACL Two group, back in the Isuzu Ute A-League the Bulls have only managed a league-low four goals from their seven matches to start the season.
Brisbane Roar extended their undefeated streak to six matches with their 0-0 draw against Western Sydney Wanderers last time out.
With six clean sheets from eight matches, and only having conceded goals on New Zealand soil so far this season, Brisbane will have every confidence in their tight defensive set up.
These teams have met once already this season in Round 1. Brisbane took the 1-0 win at home, with Irishman Jay O’Shea scoring the lone goal from the penalty spot.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Auckland FC
Friday, December 19 – Campbelltown Sports Stadium – 6:00pm AEDT
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Current table position
Western Sydney Wanderers: 7th
Auckland FC: 2nd
Round 8 result
Western Sydney Wanderers: 0-0 draw with Brisbane (H)
Auckland FC: 2-1 win over Central Coast Mariners (A)
Auckland FC head to Western Sydney in the hope of gaining top spot in the Isuzu Ute A-League. A win will do that, for at least a night until Sydney FC play their match on Saturday.
Western Sydney have shown that they can hold their own against the top teams season, with a 0-0 draw against 3rd placed Brisbane and a 1-0 win against league leaders Sydney FC.
The Wanderers’ defence has shored up in recent weeks, conceding just the one goal in their last three matches. However, they have only scored one goal in that same period.
One man keen to break down the strong defence will be the league’s joint top goal-scorer, Auckland’s Sam Cosgrove. The English forward comes into the match high on confidence with four goals from his last six starts.
A Jesse Randall goal from range secured a 1-0 win for Auckland when these teams last met in Round 2.
Newcastle Jets v Sydney FC
Saturday, December 20 – McDonald Jones Stadium – 5:00pm AEDT
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Current table position
Newcastle Jets: 8th
Sydney FC: 1st
Round 8 result
Newcastle Jets: 3-1 win over Wellington Phoenix (A)
Sydney FC: 1-0 win over Perth Glory (A)
Newcastle Jets have been a joy to watch for the neutral fan this season, with the second most goals scored, the most goals conceded and a high level of unpredictability.
They’ve brought three points back from both Auckland and Wellington Phoenix, lost narrowly to Perth Glory and Melbourne City, romped home against Melbourne Victory and lost heavily to Brisbane Roar and Sydney. Each Newcastle match could seemingly go any way.
Last round, it went their way. With three goals in seven minutes early in the second half.
Sydney meanwhile have been clinical in front of goal, sound in defence and look truly at home atop the league table after eight rounds.
In the absence of injured star Joe Lolley, young winger Abel Walatee came up with the goods for the Sky Blues in Round 8, scoring the only goal of the game as they defeated Perth Glory 1-0, and he’s in line to start once again.
When these teams met in Round 3, Sydney ran out 4-1 winners. Newcastle’s Ben Gibson opened the scoring, before a brilliant Al-Hassan Toure hat-trick and a Pat Wood strike saw the visitors romp home.
Melbourne City v Melbourne Victory
Saturday, December 20 – AAMI Park – 7:35pm AEDT
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Current table position
Melbourne City: 4th
Melbourne Victory: 12th
Round 8 result
Melbourne City: Did not play due to AFC Champions League Elite commitments
Melbourne Victory: 2-1 win over Adelaide United (H)
The Christmas Derby always promises a clash of high intensity with plenty to play for.
Melbourne City have done well to balance the start of their season, currently sitting fourth in both the Isuzu Ute A-League and the AFC Champions League Elite.
Striker Max Caputo has been enjoying a breakout season, already with four league goals. His previous best was five last season.
After going goalless for four straight matches, Melbourne Victory finally found themselves some goals against Adelaide, with Greek striker Nikos Vergos scoring a double to open his account for the season.
High profile signing Juan Mata has been proving his worth in build-up for Arthur Diles’ side with 26 chances created for the season.
When these teams met in Round 4, it was City who claimed the points. Max Caputo and young full back Peter Antoniou with the goals in a 2-0 win.
Perth Glory v Adelaide United
Saturday, December 20 – HBF Park – 9:45pm AEDT
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Current table position
Perth Glory: 5th
Adelaide United: 6th
Round 8 result
Perth Glory: 1-0 loss to Sydney FC (H)
Adelaide United: 2-1 loss to Melbourne Victory (A)
New manager Adam Griffiths has had Perth Glory humming along nicely since taking over as interim at the end of October. Three wins and three losses have them in a finals position as we head towards Christmas.
Adelaide United meanwhile have been on a bit of a slide, losing their last three matches.
Perth Glory will be sweating on the fitness of their top scorer, Adam Taggart. The Socceroos forward was subbed off in the first half of the 1-0 loss to Sydney last week
In the absence of goalkeepers Cameron Cook and Mark Birighitti, former Western United man Matt Sutton has ably stepped up. Sutton has made 25 saves and kept two clean sheets in eight matches.
For the opposition, Adelaide’s keeper Joshua Smits has been the busiest in the league. The Dutchman has made a league high 34 saves from his eight starts.
This will be the first match between these two teams this season.
Wellington Phoenix v Central Coast Mariners
Sunday, December 21 – Sky Stadium – 1:00pm AEDT
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Current table position
Wellington Phoenix: 11th
Central Coast Mariners: 9th
Round 8 result
Wellington Phoenix: 3-1 loss to Newcastle Jets (H)
Central Coast Mariners: 2-1 loss to Auckland FC (A)
Both Wellington Phoenix and Central Coast Mariners come into this one with two wins, two draws and four losses this season.
The two teams have struggled defensively, with Wellington conceding 14 goals and Central Coast conceding 12 from their eight matches to start the campaign.
The Mariners have had a tough run recently, facing top four sides Melbourne City, Sydney FC and Auckland FC in the last three matches, and they’re looking for their first win since November 7.
The round 3 match between these sides ended in a 1-1 draw, with Ifeanyi Eze opening the scoring for Wellington inside five minutes, before Sabit Ngor equalised early in the second half.
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