It’s done and dusted, Auckland FC won the first ever New Zealand Derby! It took all of 88 minutes for either side to find the back of the net with Jake Brimmer stepping up making the most of a Phoenix mistake at the back.
After netting a second goal minutes later, Auckland FC and the fans in Sky Stadium were up on their feet dancing and cheering, turns out you can beat Welly on a good day.
Now the league-leaders get to put their feet up and watch all the action from round four of the A-League.
We kick off the round with Western Sydney welcoming the Newcastle Jets to CommBank Stadium, a place they are winless at through eight games.
They’re in the pressure cooker early doors and it won’t be any easier for them this week.
Newcastle are fresh off their bye week and after stealing the show in their comeback win over Macarthur, young buck, Eli Adams will hope to stay in match winning form.
I’m not sure why we’re getting such good odds for Newcastle against a team that is winless at home. Give me the Jets.
The Victory move into second place after a comeback win over Macarthur on the weekend. Back-to-back wins and they seem to be creating chances for fun.
With one of the best attacks, it’s hard to look past them at home this week. Reno Piscopo scored a worldie from to hand Victory the lead last week and when teams are taking shots like that, I’m only seeing one thing… goals, goals, goals.
Brisbane do look to be improving but I don’t think they have enough in them to scab a win on the road.
Adelaide were clinical on attack last week netting four goals but struggled on defence. They’ve been getting off to blistering starts this season with four of their five goals coming in the first half hour.
Western United have had some tight ones to start their season but are yet to come out on the right side of one. I’m expecting Adelaide to take this one but I’m just here for the goals.
The Phoenix are on the wrong side of the history books after a disappointing loss in the Kiwi Classico. Both sides missed some pretty big chances, but it came down to whoever made the mistake first.
They’ll be hurting and they now take to the road, taking on the Mariners who have had three draws to start the season.
Central Coast are struggling to score goals having only scored one through their three games.
In a rematch of one and two on the table last year, I think the Phoenix will be out for revenge and would love taking three points from the reigning champs.
After kicking off the season in style, Macarthur have now thrown away leads in two consecutive games. They’ve been good in parts but have struggled to string it together for a full 90 minutes.
Sydney will be at home for the first time this season, their only blemish on their record is the late loss to Auckland FC. After a hectic 3-2 win over the Roar last week, the Sky Blues could welcome back star wingers Joe Lolley and Douglas Costa.
If these two are involved on Sunday, Sydney should dominate this fixture in front of a home crowd.
Week four wraps up in Perth with the Glory hosing Melbourne City.
Perth are finally off the mark after a stalemate with the Mariners. Last season’s wooden-spooners promised big change ahead of this season and they’ve just managed to make the big leap from dead last, to second-to-last.
It’s time for them to start living up to their promises and they might be able to take advantage of a wounded Melbourne City side.