Can Melbourne Victory get firing in front of goal against their traditional rivals?
Ah, the original rivalry. So many heated and fiery encounters between the pair, with the unforgettable Grand Finals still rife in the memories of both sets of supporters.
The 2015 champions Victory sit nice and pretty above their bitter rivals, conceding just one defeat in the past 12 matches. On the flip side, the 2016 champions United have not lost an A-League game at Adelaide Oval, boasting 2 wins and 2 draws at the iconic venue.
Victory have been dealt a serious injury blow to their defensive stocks when James Donachie pulled up lame in the Melbourne derby. He'll require surgery and be out indefinitely, but Muscat has thrown his support behind young defender Thomas Deng alongside Rhys Williams.
Melbourne's star studded attack has faltered so far, Leroy George netting the Victory's sole goal last round. Besart Berisha, Kosta Barbarouses and James Troisi are yet to get themselves on the goal scoring tally.
Adelaide will be roaring after their last gasp win against current cellar dwelling Brisbane, and they'll be out to prove you can't write them off at any point in the game.
United are already on the board with a win and 3 points against the Victory will not only break the winless streak, it could see them temporarily rocket to the top.
Chris Sermeno
Bruce Kamau leaves defenders quaking in their boots.
The start of the 2017/2018 Hyundai A-League season has been a rather positive one for Melbourne City, as they've picked up two big wins from their opening two games.
The biggest talking point out of these two games has been the quick goal scoring start of Adelaide recruit Bruce Kamau. After landing at City a little over a year ago, Kamau has already surpassed his tally of goals from last season.
His speed has proved an asset so far for his Melbourne side, and he looks a much improved player compared to last campaign. Up against a Wellington Phoenix side that struggles away from home, Kamau looks likely to continue his impressive run.
At just 22 years of age, Kamau remains as a potential future national team prospect, should he continue to improve and impress at club level. He has already built an impressive resume, having scored first in a winning Grand Final effort just a couple of seasons ago. With another big performance against Wellington, he will continue to raise eyebrows.
Brodie Cowburn
Will Sydney enact revenge on the team that took their invisibility?
Fresh off the back of the Melbourne derby last round, we look at another high profile derby clash this week. Unfortunately for all the bird flipping, sauce bottle loving fans, the F3 derby isn't happening again until
Last year's champions currently sit 2nd behind Melbourne City with 1 goal separating the top two, with their neighbours Western Sydney not far behind. Might be early to look at competition standings, but everything goes out the window when derby bragging rights are up for grabs.
Last season saw the Sky Blues fall to the Wanderers in a near perfect championship campaign, and are currently enjoying an 11 game undefeated streak. The Wanderers might be undefeated this season but another win over their close rivals will be a huge dent in the confidence of the reigning champions.
Brendan Hamill threw some early derby shade, taking shots at Sydney's attendance by declaring Allianz Stadium will easily be more red and black come derby time.
Interestingly, Sydney's playmaker Milos Ninkovic is yet to score or assist this campaign, but Wanderers superstar Spaniard Oriol Riera has scored in back to back games and will be eyeing his third goal in as many games.
Chris Sermeno
Can Roar bounce back after late devastation?
Just two rounds into the season, last weekends' Brisbane v Adelaide game provided all the drama and heartbreak you might expect from a finals game.
Despite taking an early lead through their new star man up front Massimo Maccarone, Brisbane found themselves shattered after conceding two goals in the 88th and 92nd minutes. This would be enough to see the Roar drop all three points in front of a despondent home crowd.
They now find themselves on the bottom of the table, having started the year with two consecutive losses. They look to have another difficult task ahead of them against Newcastle. Jets frontman Roy O'Donovan has stared the year at a blistering pace, and could very well look to exploit this Roar defence which has been guilty of collapsing at times.
Brisbane will be boosted by the expected debut of long awaited new signing Eric Bautheac, whose addition should add a touch of class to the side. Bautheac has come straight from France's Ligue 1, and can provide a huge attacking threat either down the flanks or centrally if required. John Aloisi will be desperate to use his new signing right away, and steer his team's campaign back on course.
Brodie Cowburn
The poor Mariners prepare to face a salivating Glory side
You have to feel somewhat sorry for the Central Coast Mariners. After an embarrassing 5-1 defeat to the Jets in Round One, Paul Okon's side bounced back with an impressive draw away to Western Sydney - a game many feel they were unlucky to lose.
But just as they are starting to regain confidence, they peer towards Round Three and realise they must board a plane and fly to the opposite side of the country to face Perth Glory.
A trip to the West is difficult at the best times, but unfortunately for the Mariners, they are coming up against a Glory side who have something to prove. After securing two draws in their opening two games, Kenny Lowe's side are set to play their first game in front of their adoring home crowd.
The Glory will want to give their fans something to cheer about. A sense of optimism for the season ahead. And after finishing second in the league in Goals For last season with 53, they are hardly shy when it comes to banging them in. Sorry Mariners fans, but don't be surprised if it's Newcastle 2.0.
Andrew Maclean
