R13 preview: can Victory halt Roar?

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ADP is finally in Adelaide, JVS is back in charge and Victory is out to halt a Roar. Here are your R13 A-League previews.

Adelaide United v Sydney FC

Coopers Stadium, Adelaide

Kick-off: 7.00pm

Live on Fox Sports 1

Anyone really want to call this result? Given the utterly inconsistent form of both teams, it's very hard to pick how this game will unfold - but one thing we can be sure of is a raucous welcome for Alessandro Del Piero in Adelaide.

After waiting so long to see the Italian in action, Adelaide fans flooded to the airport to welcome ADP to the City of Churches on Thursday. But do they really want to see him at his best.

Sydney is still hurting from back-to-back losses, including the lesson dished out by Brisbane in round 12, while the Reds are enjoying a three-game unbeaten run with three successive clean sheets. Five points sit between the two clubs in sixth and fifth and Adelaide will be desperate for all three points to close that gap.

Mark Rudan says: "No one questioned how Adelaide were playing and they haven't turned their back on that style but they're starting to score goals. Most important is defensively; when you don't concede you give yourself the best opportunity to win games. I think at home they'll be too strong for Sydney."

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Newcastle Jets v Perth Glory

Hunter Stadium, Newcastle

Kick-off: 5:30pm

Live on Fox Sports 1

The Jets backed up their storming defeat of league leader Brisbane with a somewhat underwhelming 1-0 loss to Adelaide and Gary van Egmond will be looking at this fixture as a strong chance to get three important home points.

The Jets have alternated wins and losses over their past six games, so they're due a win - and can jump back on top of rival Central Coast if they can take advantage of a Perth team in transition.

With the drama of Alastair Edwards's dismissal behind it, interim coach Lenny Lowe now has to resurrect Glory's season. Perth showed plenty of heart but little creativity in the controversial loss to the Mariners on New Year's Eve. With so much instability, it' no surprise results have suffered; Perth has just one win in its last eight games, losing its last three away games and has failed to score in three of its last five.

Mark Rudan: "The Jets have to go back to basics. They're playing a different counter attacking style. They created a couple of chances against Adelaide and will continue to do so because of their pace upfront. Adam Taggart has gone away from that good form and he needs to recapture that."

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Melbourne Victory v Brisbane Roar

AAMI Park, Melbourne

Kick-off: 7.45pm local (7.45pm AEDT)

Live on Fox Sports 1

There is no doubt this game is the pick of the round, perhaps pick of the season so far. After an early wobble, Victory has adjusted well to the loss of inspirational coach Ange Postecoglou, with Kevin Muscat resisting calls to react to stutters and maintain the shape and philosophy he inherited.

Victory has now lost only once in its last six games, and with 17 points from a possible 19 at home, it is turning Melbourne into a fortress.

Brisbane's record in Victoria isn't great and Mike Mulvey travels south with star striker Besart Berisha - it would have been good to see the Albanian giving Victory a bit of his trademark niggle - but after the 5-2 demolition of Sydney FC, will Mulvey really be that worried? Roar has now scored at least five goals in a game at least once during the last four seasons.

Both teams are full of confidence and it should provide and fascinating and hugely entertaining spectacle.

Mark Rudan: "Victory are creating chances and playing fantastic football, with pace in the midfield and upfront with the likes of Barbarouses and Pain, and Archie Thompson still to come back from injury. It's great to have that sort of depth in your squad. I'm going to go with the home team on this one."

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Central Coast Mariners v Melbourne Heart

Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford

Kick-off: 5.00pm local

Live on Fox Sports 1

The Mariners snatched victory from Perth in controversial circumstances on New Year's Eve but all that matters to Phil Moss is the three points.

Central Coast has been obviously lacking the demanding presence of Graham Arnold in recent weeks as Moss has striven to imprint his own character without losing any of that winning consistency. There has been a significant drop in their key attacking and defensive stats from last season, including fewer goals per game, fewer shots, with more goals and shots conceded.

The loss of key players will also hurt the Mariners - and they might just be facing Melbourne Heart at entirely the wrong time.

The week after John Aloisi's departure, former club John van 't Schip is at the helm with the club still searching for its first win of the season. Could that sudden release of pressure be just what Heart needs?

Mark Rudan says: "The Mariners have been inconsistent. They were good value against Perth and did deserve the three points. They need to take that momentum against Heart, which will be a tough one against a team with a new coach.