Holly McNamara went clear on top of the golden boot race midweek, scoring Melbourne City’s only goal in a 1-1 draw with Brisbane Roar.
This weekend, they face the task of becoming the first team to defeat the Glory in Perth. Elsewhere, Melbourne Victory host Sydney FC in a massive Big Blue.
Read about the Matildas at Home below.
Brisbane Roar 1 – 1 Melbourne City
Brisbane Roar scored a late equaliser to secure a point at home against Melbourne City on Tuesday evening.
City scored first, after Aideen Keane won a penalty that Holly McNamara tucked away. The goal put her clear on top of the golden boot race this season. Brisbane Roar came out firing in the second half in search of an equaliser, however, and eventually found it through American Ashlyn Miller. It was a positive result for the Roar, who remain only one point away from the top six, but with two games in hand.
Sharn Freier and Chloe Lincoln both started for the Roar, with Grace Kuilamu and Tameka Yallop unavailable due to injury.
Holly McNamara, Karly Roestbakken, Bryleeh Henry and Alexia Apostolakis all started for Melbourne City.
Newcastle Jets 1 – 2 Adelaide United
On Wednesday evening, Adelaide United came from behind to defeat the Newcastle Jets 2-1.
Jets veteran Cassidy Davis scored in the first half to give the home side a well-deserved lead. However, they weren’t fully able to capitalise on their dominance in the opening stages of the game, and the Reds made them pay. Goals from Erin Healy and youngster Carina Rossi saw Adelaide take a lead in the 73rd minute that they would not relinquish.
Natasha Prior started for the Jets while Adriana Taranto came off the bench in the second half to help lift Adelaide to an important three points.
Brisbane Roar v Canberra United
Date: Friday, 23 January
Venue: Spencer Park
Kickoff: 6pm local, 7pm AEDT
Broadcast: 10Play and Paramount+
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The Brisbane Roar will face a tough task backing up from their midweek draw when they host Canberra United on Friday.
Canberra currently sit in second on the table after an eye-catching run of form earlier in the season. The Roar, meanwhile, are eyeing off a top six place, and – while they sit in ninth – are only three points away from Canberra with a game in hand. It makes it a vitally important clash in the context of the finals race.
Chloe Lincoln and Sharn Freier will be available for the Roar, while Michelle Heyman is expected to lead the line for the visiting Canberra United.
Central Coast Mariners v Western Sydney Wanderers
Date: Saturday, 24 January
Venue: Polytec Stadium
Kickoff: 5pm AEDT
Broadcast: 10Play and Paramount+
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The Central Coast Mariners have the chance to retain their place in the top three when they take on the Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday afternoon.
The Mariners have had mixed form but have been consistently difficult to beat, particularly at home. They take on a Wanderers side who have only won once this season but have shown plenty of promising signs over the past few weeks.
Isabel Gomez will be available for the Mariners.
Perth Glory v Melbourne City
Date: Saturday, 24 January
Venue: Sam Kerr Football Centre
Kickoff: 5pm local, 8pm AEDT
Broadcast: 10Play and Paramount+
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Perth Glory will put their home unbeaten record to the test when they take on Melbourne City on Saturday.
Last time these teams met, City were victorious, but the Glory were the better team for large parts of the first half. With the added boost of being at home – and with City backing up from a midweek fixture – Glory will hope that the circumstances are right for them to take points from City this time around.
Holly McNamara, Bryleeh Henry, Karly Roestbakken and Alexia Apostolakis will all be available for City.
Wellington Phoenix v Adelaide United
Date: Sunday, 25 January
Venue: Porirua Park
Kickoff: 4pm local, 2pm AEDT
Broadcast: 10Play and Paramount+
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Adelaide United are the latest team to make the trip across the ditch, taking on the Wellington Phoenix on Sunday.
The ‘Nix are riding high after their win in Canberra last week and are only one point away from the top six. They come up against a Reds side, who are the hottest ticket in town at the moment, with four wins in their last five matches. It is another massive six-pointer in the finals race.
Adriana Taranto will be available for Adelaide.
Melbourne Victory v Sydney FC
Date: Sunday, 25 January
Venue: Home of the Matildas
Kickoff: 5pm AEDT
Broadcast: 10Play and Paramount+
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Former league leaders Melbourne Victory – now on a four-game winless streak - will be hoping that a Big Blue against Sydney FC can be the tonic to cure their recent poor form.
Victory have already lost six games this season, more than any other team apart from bottom-of-the-table Western Sydney Wanderers. If they want to remain in finals places at the conclusion of the round, they will very likely need to prevent that number becoming seven.
Sydney FC, meanwhile, have only picked up two wins from ten games this season and will be desperate to turn their form around to prevent missing finals two seasons in a row. An away game against one of their biggest rivals prevents one of the better opportunities for them to do so.