This A-League season is the tightest on record and ahead of round 14, it seems as though things will only get tighter. With only four points separating positions 3 - 10 on the Hyundai A-League table, and Wellington Phoenix and Newcastle Jets set to play their game-in-hand this Wednesday night, the ladder couldn't be more congested as we approach the midpoint of the season.
The next few rounds will be crucial for teams to start making up ground or consolidating on a top six finish.
With the FIFA break coming at the end of Round 14 it will be time for teams to take stock and prepare for the backend their Hyundai A-League seasons.
Stats, facts & milestones
Round 10
Wellington Phoenix (8) v Newcastle Jets (10) Wednesday, 4 November 2009, Westpac Stadium, 8.00pm local (6.00pm AEDT)
- Wellington Phoenix midfielder Vince Lia is set to play his 100th match at national league level - Lia played with South Melbourne and Melbourne Victory before joining the Phoenix in 2007
Round 14
Adelaide United (6) v Brisbane Roar (9) Friday, 6 November 2009, Hindmarsh Stadium, 7.30pm local (8.00pm AEDT)
- Brisbane Roar will be aiming to avoid equalling their record longest winless streak, six matches, set in October-November 2006 - the Roar have not won any of their past five Hyundai A-League matches - Ange Postecoglou will be aiming for a trifecta of results this week when he manages his third match in charge of the Roar - it's been a loss and a draw so far for the former Qantas Young Socceroos and South Melbourne coach - Gates open at 4.30pm for the Adelaide United v Brisbane Roar National Youth League match
Melbourne Victory (2) v Central Coast Mariners (4) Saturday, 7 November 2009, Etihad Stadium, 7.00pm local
- Melbourne Victory striker Archie Thompson is set to play his 200th match in Australian national leagues. Thompson played in the old NSL with Morwell Falcons, Carlton and Marconi before joining the Victory (89 matches so far) in 2005
Gold Coast United (3) v Sydney FC (1) Saturday, 7 November 2009, Skilled Park, 8.00pm local (9.00pm AEDT)
- After scoring none and conceding eight goals - a goal difference of minus eight - in their previous 2 matches, Gold Coast will be aiming to avoid being the first club in Hyundai A-League history to amass a goal difference of minus ten in 3 consecutive matches - Gold Coast still have the star power to lift from this minor slump and still remain firm finals favourites in 3rd on the table - Alex Brosque and Mark Bridge are becoming a lethal pairing up front - can they continue to keep marquee man John Aloisi out of the starting line-up much longer?
Wellington Phoenix (8) v Perth Glory (5) Sunday, 8 November 2009, Westpac Stadium, 5.00pm local (3.00pm AEDT)
- With a distance of around 5250 kilometres apart - or a five hour time zone difference - Perth Glory are undertaking one of the longest road trips in any football league in the world
Newcastle Jets (10) v North Queensland Fury (7) Sunday, 8 November 2009, EnergyAustralia Stadium, 5.00pm local
- North Queensland Fury are aiming to remain undefeated in their seventh consecutive away match; this would be just the fifth such streak for any club in Hyundai A-League history - Gates open at 2.00pm for the Newcastle Jets v Australian Institute of Sport National Youth League match
Birthday celebrations - Gold Coast United's Brazilian import Robson turns 23 on Tuesday, 3 November - Qantas Young Socceroo and Brisbane Roar defender Luke De Vere turns 20 on Thursday, 5 November - And Sydney FC's goal scoring machine Mark Bridge turns 24 on Saturday, 7 November
