Round 6 Ins and Outs: key Sky Blue returns for Sydney Derby as Socceroos prepare for World Cup farewell

The teams are IN ahead of Round 6!

KEEPUP brought you all the team news via this week’s live blog, which runs between 5.00pm and 6.00pm AEDT every Thursday prior to the airing of each episode of A-Leagues All Access at 7.30pm AEDT.

This week, it’s time for episode five: ‘Football Maniac’, starring Arthur Papas!

VISIT: A-LEAGUES ALL ACCESS HUB

TEAM NEWS LIVE BLOG

From 5-6pm AEDT, KEEPUP takes you through all the big team news, discussing what it all means ahead of another weekend of Official A-League Men Fantasy. Scroll beneath the live blog for a full list of Ins and Outs.

INS AND OUTS – ROUND 6

*NOTE: Brisbane Roar and Perth Glory will not play in Round 6 after their planned fixture was rescheduled to beyond the World Cup break.

ADELAIDE UNITED v MELBOURNE VICTORY

Adelaide United squad: 1.James DELIANOV (gk), 2.Harry VAN DER SAAG, 3.Ben WARLAND, 6.Louis D’ARRIGO, 7.Ryan KITTO, 8.ISAÍAS, 9.Hiroshi IBUSUKI, 11.Craig GOODWIN (c), 13.Lachlan BARR, 14.George BLACKWOOD, 21.Javi LÓPEZ, 26.Ben HALLORAN, 28.JUANDE, 33.Joshua MORI, 35.Luka JOVANOVIĆ, 41.Alexandar POPOVIĆ, 46.Joe GAUCI (gk), 47.Asad KASUMOVIĆ, 55.Ethan ALAGICH

Ins: 33.Joshua MORI (promoted), 35.Luka JOVANOVIĆ (promoted), 47.Asad KASUMOVIĆ (promoted), 49.Musa TOURE (promoted)

Outs: 66.Nestory IRANKUNDA (not selected)

Unavailable: 10.Zach CLOUGH (quad), 31.BERNARDO (foot), 37.Jonny YULL (back), 50.Steven HALL (knee)

Squad analysis: Reds coach Carl Veart promotes four young players to the squad in Joshua Mori, Luka Jovanović, Asad Kasumović and Musa Toure – but expect an Adelaide outfit full of experience to start in Friday night’s Original Rivalry bout.

Craig Goodwin will receive a home farewell from the Reds faithful ahead of his journey to the FIFA Men’s World Cup; the club captain has three assists and two goals to his name after five appearances this season and will look to continue that form into Round 6 in his World Cup send-off.

Fantasy tip: Ben Halloran to continue providing his fair share of danger down the right wing. With all eyes on Goodwin, Halloran has quietly recorded an assist and a goal in his last two appearances.

Melbourne Victory squad: 1.Matt ACTON, 2.Jason GERIA, 3.Enrique LOPEZ, 4.Rai MARCHAN, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 7.Chris IKONOMIDIS, 8.Josh BRILLANTE. 9.Tomi JURIC, 10.Bruno FORNAROLI, 11.Ben FOLAMI, 15.Geroge TIMOTHEOU, 16.Stefan NIGRO, 17.Luis NANI, 18.Nick D’AGOSTINO, 20.Paul IZZO, 21.Roderick MIRANDA, 22.Jake BRIMMER, 23.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS, 24.Nishan VELUPILLAY, 25.Noah SMITH, 26.Lleyton BROOKS

In: 24.Nishan VELUPILLAY (promoted), 26.Lleyton BROOKS (promoted)

Out: nil

Unavailable: 5.Matt SPIRANOVIC (injured)

Squad analysis: Nishan Velupillay is elevated to a Victory squad rolling into Adelaide off the back of last week’s emphatic 4-0 win over Newcastle Jets, in which four individual scorers helped break a three-game goalless run. 

Velupillay was the hero in Victory’s early-season win over the Reds at Coopers Stadium in 2021-22, coming off the bench to net the winner in the 78th minute of a 2-1 road triumph.

Fantasy tip: Jake Brimmer may find an extra gear in Round 6 after being overlooked in the Socceroos conversation all the way through to head coach Graham Arnold’s announcement of his squad bound for Qatar. One of the best players on Australian soil over the past year, the reigning Johnny Warren Medallist got his first goal and assist of the season against Newcastle last weekend and is showing signs he’s returning to top form.

NEWCASTLE JETS v MELBOURNE CITY

Newcastle Jets squad: Jack DUNCAN (gk), 2. Dane INGHAM, 3. Jason HOFFMAN, 4. Jordan ELSEY, 5. Matthew JURMAN (co-captain), 6. Brandon O’NEILL (co-captain), 7. Trent BUHAGIAR, 8. Beka DARTSMELIA, 9. Beka MIKELTADZE, 10. Reno PISCOPO, 11. Jaushua SOTIRIO, 14. Mohamed AL-TAAY, 17. Kosta GROZOS, 18. Daniel STYNES, 20. Michael WEIER (gk), 23. Rory JORDAN, 24. James McGARRY, 25. Carl JENKINSON (co-captain), 32. Angus THURGATE, 33. Mark NATTA

In: Nil

Out: Archie GOODWIN, Callum TIMMINS, Noah JAMES

Squad analysis: The Jets will take a largely unchanged squad into Round 6, with Arthur Papas’ side looking to find some consistency in the new campaign. Beka Mikeltadze’s injury concerns appear over, he’ll aim to start consecutive games up front for the Jets. Newcastle won their first two games of the season but have suffered two defeats on the trot, scoring zero goals and conceding six. 

Fantasy tip: If the Jets are to find an avenue to goal against City, expect star striker Beka Mikeltadze to be at the heart of it. 

Melbourne City FC squad: 1. Tom GLOVER (GK), 2. Scott GALLOWAY, 3. Scott JAMIESON (C), 6. Thomas LAM, 7. Mathew LECKIE, 8. Richard VAN DER VENNE, 9. Jamie MACLAREN, 13. Aiden O’NEILL, 14. Valon BERISHA, 15. Andrew NABBOUT, 16. Taras GOMULKA, 18. Jordon HALL, 22. Curtis GOOD, 23. Marco TILIO, 25. Callum TALBOT, 33. Matthew SUTTON (GK), 34. Arion SULEMANI, 35. Raphael BORGES RODRIGUES, 36. Kerrin STOKES, 38. Jordan BOS

In: 6. Thomas LAM (suspension), 34. Arion SULEMANI (promoted), 35. Raphael BORGES RODRIGUES (promoted)

Out: 4. Nuno REIS (concussion)

Unavailable: 4. Nuno REIS (concussion),10. Florin BERENGUER (hamstring)

Squad analysis: World Cup-bound Jamie Maclaren and Mathew Leckie are both included in City’s travelling squad for Round 6. Nuno Reis misses out through concussion, but Thomas Lam arrives back in timely fashion from suspension to put his hand up to replace the Portuguese defender in central defence.

Fantasy tip: Marco Tilio to show Socceroos boss Arnold what his World Cup squad will be missing in Qatar with a starring performance in Newcastle.

SYDNEY FC v WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS

Sydney FC squad: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 2. James DONACHIE, 5. Connor O’TOOLE, 9. Adam LE FONDRE, 10. Joe LOLLEY, 11. Robert MAK, 12. Pat WOOD, 16. Patrick YAZBEK, 17. Anthony CACERES, 18. Diego CABALLO, 19. Adrian SEGECIC, 20. Thomas HEWARD-BELLE (GK), 21. Alex PARSONS, 22. Max BURGESS, 23. Rhyan GRANT, 25. Jaiden KUCHARSKI, 26. Luke BRATTAN ©, 27. Adrian VLASTELICA, 28. Jake GIRDWOOD-REICH, 29. Aaron GURD.

Ins: 2. James DONACHIE (return from injury), 5. Connor O’TOOLE (promoted), 9. Adam LE FONDRE (return from injury)

Outs: 8. Paulo RETRE (suspended)

Unavailable: 4. Alex WILKINSON (c) (injured), 6. Jack RODWELL (injured)

Squad analysis: Andrew Redmayne will start in between the sticks for Sydney FC ahead of his World Cup departure, as striker Adam Le Fondre and James Donachie return to the fold after respective injuries. Defensive depth has been put to the test in recent weeks, with inexperienced centre-back Aaron Gurd lining up alongside Adrian Vlastelica – signed from NPL club Sydney United 58 as an injury replacement for Alex Wilkinson – in last week’s defeat to Brisbane Roar.

Fantasy tip: Joe Lolley to return to the starting XI and star for Sydney after illness interrupted his run-up to Round 5.

Western Sydney Wanderers FC squad: 1.Daniel Margush (GK), 2.Gabriel CLEUR, 3.Adama TRAORE, 5.Tomi MRCELA, 6.Marcelo GUEDES (C), 7.Ramy NAJJARINE, 8.Oliver BOZANIC, 9.Kusini YENGI, 10.Milos NINKOVIC, 11.Sulejman KRPIC, 12.Ruon TONGYIK, 17.Romain AMALFITANO, 19.Daniel WILMERING, 20.Lawrence THOMAS (GK), 23.Yeni NGBAKOTO, 26.Brandon BORRELLO, 28.Calem NIEUWENHOF, 35.Zac SAPSFORD, 36.Alessandro LOPANE, 27.Alex BADOLATO

Ins: 8.Oliver BOZANIC (promoted), 9.Kusini YENGI (returns from injury), 23.Yeni NGBAKOTO (promoted)

Outs: N/A

Squad analysis: The Wanderers promote Oliver Bozanic and Yeni Ngbakoto to the squad ahead of yet another round – however neither off-season signing has made an appearance in red and black to date. Kusini Yengi is in the selection frame once more after missing his side’s 3-0 loss to the Mariners in Round 5.

Fantasy tip: Calem Nieuwenhof to continue his stellar form in the middle of the park for Western Sydney since his off-season move from the Sky Blues.

WELLINGTON PHOENIX v WESTERN UNITED

Wellington Phoenix squad: 4. Scott WOOTTON, 5. Steven UGARKOVIC, 6. Tim PAYNE, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Ben OLD, 9. Oskar ZAWADA, 10. David BALL, 11. Bozhidar KRAEV, 12. Lucas MAURAGIS, 13. Nicholas PENNINGTON, 17. Callan ELLIOT, 18. Ben WAINE, 19. Sam SUTTON, 20. Oli SAIL (gk), 21. Joshua LAWS, 23. Clayton LEWIS, 24. Oskar VAN HATTUM, 31. Yan SASSE, 40. Alex PAULSEN (gk).

Out: 3. Finn SURMAN (injured)

Unavailable: 14. Alex RUFER (injured)

Squad analysis: Finn Surman misses out again through injury for the ‘Nix, on another weekend where pre-game focus will centre around which four players feature in Ufuk Talay’s frontline. 

In Round 5’s 4-1 win over Macarthur FC, Oskar Zawada, Kosta Barbarouses, Ben Old and Bozhidar Kraev started in attacking areas, with David Ball and Ben Waine coming off the bench, the latter of the two scoring his third goal of the campaign. 

Fantasy tip: Kraev is finding his feet in a Phoenix shirt. He bagged his second goal of the season last weekend and said in midweek he’s happy he’s delivering on a pre-season promise to have a genuine impact in the final third for the ‘Nix this season.

Western United squad: 1. Jamie YOUNG (gk), 4. Leo LACROIX, 5. Dylan PIERIAS, 8. Lachlan WALES, 9. Dylan WENZEL-HALLS, 11. Connor PAIN, 14. James TROISI, 17. Ben GARUCCIO, 19. Joshua RISDON, 21. Sebastian PASQUALI, 23. Alessandro DIAMANTI (c) 26. Nicolas MILANOVIC, 27. Jacob TRATT, 31. Adisu BAYEW, 33. Ben COLLINS, 37. Ryan SCOTT (gk), 38. Noah BOTIC, 42. Rhys BOZINOVSKI, 88. Neil KILKENNY, 99. Aleksandar PRIJOVIC 

Ins: 21. Sebastian PASQUALI, 31. Adisu BAYEW, 99. Aleksandar PRIJOVIC (promoted) 

Outs: 10. Steven LUSTICA (injured) 

Unavailable: 6. Tomoki IMAI (injured), 7. Tongo DOUMBIA (injured), 44. Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY (suspended)

Squad analysis: Aleksandar Prijović is once again in the mix to make his first appearance of the season this week as head coach John Aloisi promotes the Serbian striker to his squad for Round 6. Prijović was included in the first two Western squads of the season but is yet to make a match day squad, battling a chronic toe injury.

Fantasy tip: Nicolas Milanović to continue his red-hot form. The 20-year-old has been a rare bright spark for Western early doors, scoring three goals in five appearances and just 135 minutes.

CENTRAL COAST MARINERS v MACARTHUR FC

Central Coast Mariners squad: 2. Thomas AQUILINA, 3. Brian KALTAK, 4. Joshua NISBET, 6. Maximilien BALARD, 7. Samuel SILVERA, 9. Jason CUMMINGS, 11. Beni NKOLOLO, 13. Harrison STEELE, 14. Garang KUOL, 15. Storm ROUX, 17. Kelechi JOHN, 18. Jacob FARRELL, 20. Daniel VUKOVIC (c) (gk), 21. Michael RUHS, 23. Daniel HALL, 24. Yaren SOZER (gk), 25. Nectarios TRIANTIS, 29. Dor JOK, 90. Paul AYONGO, 98. MARCO TULIO

Ins: 13. Harrison Steele (promoted), 29. Dor JOK (promoted)

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 10. Matheus MORESCHE (injured), 26. Bradley TAPP (injured)

Squad analysis: Socceroos Garang Kuol and Jason Cummings are off to the World Cup – but not before making one last appearance for the Mariners prior to heading off to Qatar. 

The Mariners are in brilliant form after putting on a clinic against Western Sydney Wanderers in Round 5.

Fantasy tip: Jacob Farrell has made a strong fantasy impact over the last two rounds, coming off the bench to score against Western United in Round 4 before starting in last weekend’s clean sheet display. 

Macarthur FC squad: Filip KURTO (gk), Jake McGING, Tomi USKOK, Mario WILLIAMS, Ivan VUJICA, Kearyn BACCUS, Daniel DE SILVA, Daniel ARZANI, Lachlan ROSE, Al Hassan TOURE, Nick SUMAN (gk), Matt MILLAR, Charles M’MOMBWA,, Anthony CARTER, Jed DREW, Craig NOONE, Jerry SKOTADIS, Isaac HOVAR, Rhys YOULLEY, Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITIS

In: Mario WILLIAMS, Rhys YOULLEY, Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITIS (returns from suspension).

Out: Bachana ARABULI, Aleks SUSNJAR (injury), Ulises DAVILA (injury), Jake HOLLMAN (illness)

Squad analysis: Ulises Dávila remains sidelined by a hamstring injury, whilst Barbados international Mario Williams will look to push for a league debut after being named in Macarthur’s Round 5 ins and outs without making the match day squad.

Jonathan Aspropotamitis will hope to slot back into central defence next to Tomislav Uskok after serving a one-match suspension.

Fantasy tip: Daniel Arzani is another young Socceroos forward who was left out of Arnold’s World Cup squad with a point to prove this weekend – could he out-perform Cummings and Kuol as the Bulls take on the Mariners?