Mike Tuckerman continues to hold sway in 2024/25 A-League tipping, with the less said about my efforts the better. David Shilovsky and the roar of the crowd still have eyes on the top prize, as the matches appear to become more difficult to predict as the weeks go by.

The in form Jets and last placed Brisbane Roar get the round underway on Friday night, before the New Zealand and Melbourne Derbies explode on Saturday. In between and in the twilight, the Mariners host Western Sydney in a crucial clash.

Perth have the chance to spring the upset against Sydney late that evening and Western United will look to use home field advantage against Adelaide on Sunday afternoon.

Good luck with your tips for the round and be sure to enter them in the sheet below to have a say in the voice of the people. Here are the predictions and thoughts of the panel heading into the weekend.

Mike Tuckerman

Newcastle, Auckland, Western Sydney, Draw, Sydney, Adelaide

The Jets have taken eight points from their last four games, including back-to-back wins over Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United. They’ve looked a much tougher team to beat of late and the addition of Kota Mizunuma has given them some much-needed attacking spark. I’m not sure the bye will have done Brisbane Roar any favours, so it’s the Jets to win.

If there were any doubts about Auckland’s title credentials, they dispelled them with another polished 2-0 win away at Western United last time out. They’ve already beaten the Phoenix twice this season and will fancy their chances of making it a clean sweep. Time is running out for the Phoenix to mount a run to the finals, but it’s hard to see how they prevail in the Kiwi derby.

Auckland FC’s Hiroki Sakai celebrates with teammates (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Central Coast Mariners ended a disastrous ACL Elite campaign with a 2-0 defeat away at Kawasaki Frontale in midweek, and they can ill-afford too many more slip-ups with the finals looming around the corner. Unfortunately for them, they’ll come up against a Wanderers side that has now gone three games unbeaten. Expect the visitors to take all three points in Gosford.

The third Melbourne derby of the season takes place with both teams struggling for form, even if they recorded narrow 1-0 victories last time out. Victory should arguably feel the more confident team and they’ll be backed by the majority of support at AAMI Park. But having snapped a recent run of three away defeats, City should dig in for at least a point.

Western United had the chance to take a huge scalp at home but instead went down in a deflating 2-0 defeat to Auckland last time out. They’re in danger of dropping out of the top six with another loss, but Tarneit hasn’t been the happiest of hunting grounds for them this season. The Reds have been inconsistent of late, but should jag a much-needed win here. 

Stuart Thomas

Newcastle, Auckland, Western Sydney, Victory, Perth, United

It is pleasing to see the Jets getting some wins and looking a better team than they did earlier in the season. Roar have put the cue in the rack will concede easily against them. Auckland FC look the winners of the New Zealand Derby, yet it could be a classic with Wellington running out of lives.

A tired Mariners side able to combat Western Sydney on a decent unbeaten run? Hard to see it. The Stajcic effect starting to become clear. Victory should beat City in the Melbourne Derby, but lets face it, that is not how the A-League works.

Sydney have all the weapons to beat Perth, yet are miserable when it comes to consistency and sticking to the task. A shock win for the home side with a hat-trick for Tags. Why not? Adelaide needs a rebound after the loss to Newcastle last time out but face a tricky trip to Western. This looks a beauty on paper and I’m seeing a win for the home side.

David Shilovsky

Newcastle, Auckland, Western Sydney, Victory, Sydney, United

A bumper round kicks off in the Hunter with the Jets needing another three points to stay in the finals race. I’m confident they can get the job done at home.

The final Kiwi Derby of the regular seasons is almost last chance saloon for the Phoenix but it’ll be a tough task to leave a sold-out Go Media Stadium with anything.

An intriguing clash between Western Sydney and the Mariners is a real six-pointer with a Wanderers win most likely ending the champions’ finals hopes. They’ve rarely showed consistency this season but I like Western Sydney’s chances here.

Then it’s all eyes on the Melbourne Derby with the three Victorian clubs jostling for position inside the top six. This one is a tough pick but Victory boast more game breakers.

A nightcap comes from HBF Park with Sydney taking on the Glory. The Sky Blues are coming off a long flight home from Thailand but should have the depth to overcome Perth.

Also not easy to pick between Adelaide and Western United. John Aloisi’s side are winless in three so could be the more hungry team.

Andrew Prentice

Newcastle, Auckland, Draw, Victory, Perth, Adelaide

The Jets are flying (collective groan). I mean, come on, we’ve had to wait almost seven seasons to bring that old chestnut out. Not since their grand final-making season of 2018 have they won three games in a row, but are poised to do so against the Roar, who almost lost to the bye last week (because I’m STACKING this with dumb jokes!)

Another packed house should get behind the Black Knights as they continue atop the ladder. Derby number three and they’ll be keen to whitewash the Phoenix, who have looked a step down from the brilliance of the previous two seasons.

Wellington have pushed Auckland in both previous games though, and “Chiefy” Italiano might have a trick or two up his sleeve. Steve Corica welcomes back Louis Verstraete from suspension. It’s got clean-sheet appeal for Auckland, with the league’s best defence pitted against the second-worst attack. 

Auckland FC Manager Steve Corica. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The last time the Mariners won in the league was against the Wanderers, yet since then, they haven’t lost either. The conclusion of their ACL commitments might come as a blessed relief for coach Mark Jackson, as they can fully concentrate on trying to turn a string of draws into wins, and find a way into the finals.

The Wanderers did well to vanquish Macarthur last week, and would have had three wins in a row if not for Sydney FC’s late comeback in that thrilling derby the previous week. The Mariners currently have the vibe of a side who almost get the job done, which is why I’m tipping a fifth successive draw for them here.

The Melbourne Derby should be a Saturday night thriller with third playing fourth. City haven’t looked convincing in a while, three successive losses finally arrested by a 1-0 win over Perth. They’re a bit like a furniture flat-pack missing an Allan Key, leaving bits and pieces strewn over the living room.

The injury toll has explained a lot of this, but derby games are different. Matt Leckie was welcomed back last week and will be good for the run. That said, Victory’s form has looked more sturdily constructed, save for that mystifying loss to the Jets. It was tempting to pick a 1-1 draw here, but I think Victory are good for the points, possibly with another clean sheet to hold them steady.

Form-wise, there’s no reason to think the Glory have a shot against Sydney on Saturday night. However, the Sky Blues have a clash with Bangkok United in ACL 2 to overcome in the steamy Thai capital, before flying into Perth.

Adam Taggart celebrates a goal for Perth Glory. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)

If ever there was a chance for an upset, it’s here. Perth have been gun-shy in front of goal but still possess Adam Taggert, whose scoring ability might come out of abeyance against a tired Sydney side.

Adelaide have managed to lose hold of a potential top spot with an inconsistent month that has produced only one win. Western’s form is on a similar downward trajectory, their defeat by Auckland last week stretching their winless run back to mid-January.

Both sides have exciting young striker prospects in Noah Botic and Archie Goodwin, whose endeavours give hope that this game will contain goals. Adelaide will have the edge in experience against John Aloisi’s young charges, and at this end of the season, you’d expect the likes of Stefan Mauk and Zac Clough to steer the Reds ship through their recent turbulence. 

Texi Smith

Newcastle, Wellington, Central Coast, Victory, Sydney, United

So, Newcastle Jets are on a roll, and they scrapped last week to preserve their lead triumphantly in Adelaide. The belief has flooded back, but Brisbane Roar are more than capable of putting them back in their box. In the end, a penalty save by Noah James and a late header from Kota Mizunuma is the difference between the two teams, the Jets on the up!

Auckland FC have recruited well. Any doubts about their premiership credentials were quashed when they turned over Western United last weekend to avenge their first ever defeat. The off-colour Wellington Phoenix step up to the plate and deliver a five-star performance in this derby, Alex Rufer’s return a big factor in their showing today.

Isaac Hughes rises to power home a header from a corner for the only goal and Auckland are left stunned, dominating the game only to lose to a rare foray from the Phoenix.

The Mariners need to start winning if they’re serious about a finals berth this season, and their over-subscription in the draws column is starting to drag them down. Christian Theoharous battles with Nicolas Milanovic to see who has the best trick to get around their defender.

However, it’s a sublime finish from Haine Eames that steals the show in the second half after the teams trade four goals in a madcap first half. The A-League delivering once again.

The Melbourne derby, third and fourth in contention, both teams clinging on to a finals spot with a sizeable chasing pack in their wake. Tonight’s prime-time slot belongs to Victory, despite the flair of Marco Tilio, and key mischief-maker Zinedine Machach further enhances his growing reputation with a superb showing.

The late game on Saturday is the sort of match that Sydney FC lose. Following on from their tough encounter with Bangkok on Wednesday night, this may be a bridge too far, and with their defensive frailties still not addressed, Perth Glory make themselves busy to boss their illustrious opponents.

Time to flip your coin in the final game of the round. Fortress Ironbark this ain’t, and two teams smarting from home defeats meet on Sunday. Adelaide should have beaten the Jets last week, perhaps they under-estimated their opponents’ resistance, but they will be prepared for battle.

Stefan Mauk runs the show for the visitors, and it all looks to be going well when Archie Goodwin slots home from close range with 30 minutes to go. Cue a rousing comeback from the home team, cheered on by a surprisingly big crowd, Abel Walatee smashing home a volley with time running out, and in a crazy finish to the game, Noah Botic is the man on the spot when heavily-marked Hiroshi Ibusuki has a last-gasp shot saved.

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