As the A-League Women's season inches closer to the Grand Final, the title race is heating up. Five teams are vying for a spot in the top four, with Adelaide United looking to make their first-ever finals appearance.
The action kicks off tonight as Canberra United host Melbourne Victory. Canberra comes into the game off the back of their first win of the season, a dominant 5-0 showing against Western Sydney Wanderers, while Victory faced defeat at the hands of Perth Glory last weekend.
Jeff Hopkin's Victory side will be looking to secure their spot in the top four with Perth Glory hot on their tail just a point behind when they travel to the nation's capital.
Kyra Cooney-Cross and Alex Chidiac will have their last chance to show off their midfield partnership, as the latter returns back to Japan for the WE League.
Courtney Nevin will be trusted with the task of keeping the likes of Matildas' veterans Michelle Heyman and Ashleigh Sykes quiet for the home side if Victory want to steal three points from their hosts.
Thursday night will see Melbourne City host Brisbane Roar as City look to overtake Sydney FC at the top of the table. They take on a Roar side that missed out on playing last weekend due to a storm postponing the game, while City are coming off a 2-1 win over the Sky Blue.
City's win over Sydney FC made them the first team to beat the ladder leaders so far this season, however, the win was soured with injury to recent Matildas' debutant, Holly McNamara.
On the other hand, the Roar is having a season they'd sooner rather forget, recording their biggest ever defeat when Adelaide beat them 8-2 and only picking up two wins so far.
The two teams met earlier in the season, where Hannah Wilkinson scored a late goal to seal a 2-1 victory for City. However, City will be without their Kiwi duo, Wilkinson and Rebekah Stott once again as they are away on international duty.
Canberra United play their second game of the week when they host Newcastle Jets. Both sides are out of finals contention so are playing for pride, with the Jets sitting three points in front of Canberra United in sixth place.
The two sides played out a thrilling 3-3 draw earlier in the season and both will be looking to take the three points when they face off on Friday night.
Over in Adelaide, the Reds host Melbourne Victory in the inaugural pride game with the race to secure a final spot on the line.
Adelaide United look in the prime seat to claim their first-ever finals berth, sitting in third place just two points in front of the Victory, when they host the side from Melbourne in the original rivalry.
Chelsea Dawber and Fiona Worts of the Reds sit in equal first place for the Golden Boot race, both with 10 goals to their name and will be looking to capitalise on a Victory side that is beginning to show cracks.
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The Reds had a dominant 4-1 win over Wellington Phoneix, with Dylan Holmes playing her 50th game for the club, and will be looking to extend their two-game unbeaten streak against Victory.
Down in Tasmania, Perth Glory host Sydney FC in their first game at their home away from home at UTAS Stadium.
Sydney FC will be hoping to bounce back from their first defeat of the season when they take on Perth, while the Glory come off a 2-0 win over Victory.
Remy Siemsen, Cortnee Vine and Charlize Rule all found themselves on the scoresheet last time out against Perth in a 4-0 win.
Ante Juric will be calling upon his youthful side to secure a win with the race to see which side lifts the Premiership.
The last game of the week will see 10th placed Wellington Phoenix take on ninth-placed Western Sydney Wanderers. The two sides met in the opening game of the season, playing out a 0-0 draw in December.
Since then, the Nix have picked up their first-ever win in the A-League Women's and will be hoping another win is in store against Wanderers so they can elevate themselves from the bottom of the ladder.
Wanderers broke their six-game winless run last weekend when they held the Jets to a 2-2 draw, with Alexia Apostolakis becoming the Wanderers youngest-ever goalscorer when she found the back of the net in the 76th minute.
