A-League: Kiwis battle at the top of the ladder

Second takes on first in week three of the A-League as Wellington Phoenix entertain Auckland United on Saturday afternoon.

It is very early days, but the Kiwis are leading the way, with A-League new boys Auckland sitting top of the pile with two wins, while the Phoenix are two points behind.

Despite their electric start to the season, a top-six finish would still be a huge achievement for Auckland, who are priced at 2.75 to make finals.

There are two other games on Saturday, with Central Coast Mariners looking for their first win of the season when they take on struggling Perth Glory.

Meanwhile, both Western Sydney Wanderers and Adelaide United are also without a victory as they head into their clash at CommBank Stadium.

The pressure is mounting already and a host of sides are in desperate need of a win.

Auckland eyeing three in a row

. What: Wellington Phoenix v Auckland FC
. Where: Sky Stadium, Wellington
. When: 14:00 (AEST) Saturday 2nd November
. How to watch: Paramount +
. Odds: Wellington Phoenix 2.45, Draw 3.60, Auckland FC 2.62

Auckland have won their opening two games of the season, but both have been at home and an away day at Phoenix will be a big test.

However, they are yet to concede a goal and will take a heap of confidence out of a 1-0 win over Sydney FC last week.

The Nix got their first three points of the season with a 2-0 win at Perth Glory, to add to a 1-1 home draw with Western United.

Going off the opening two weeks, a low-scoring game could be on the cards, and under 2.5 goals can be backed at 2.20.

A 1-1 draw can also be backed at 7.00.

Mariners need to put win on the board

. What: Central Coast Mariners v Perth Glory
. Where: Industree Group Stadium, Gosford
. When: 16:00 (AEST) Saturday 2nd November
. How to watch: Paramount +, 10Bold
. Odds: Central Coast Mariners 1.48, Draw 4.50, Perth Glory 6.25

The Mariners have started the season with two draws and have managed to score just one goal in the process.

They are in need of a morale-boosting three points and could not ask for a better opponent than the Glory, who have lost two and shipped in eight goals.

Central Coast will be targeting a convincing win and over 2.5 goals in the game is priced at 1.53.

Even though Glory have been poor, they do have one of the best strikers in the A-League in the shape of Adam Taggart.

Taggart has opened his account for the season already and is 3.60 to score at anytime on Saturday.

Wanderers hope for home boost

. What: Western Sydney Wanderers v Adelaide United
. Where: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
. When: 18:35 (AEST) Saturday 2nd November
. How to watch: Paramount +, 10Bold
. Odds: Western Sydney Wanderers 2.20, Draw 3.90, Adelaide United 2.90

With just one point to show from their opening two games, Wanderers are another side in desperate need of a victory.

They have also scored just two goals and conceded three, so the Juan Mata effect has yet to kick in for them.

Mata made his first start in a 1-1 draw with Western United last week and will be much better for the 64 minutes he played.

The Spanish ace can be backed at 3.60 to score a goal at anytime.

Adelaide began their campaign with a solid 1-1 draw at home to Central Coast and will fancy their chances of nicking all three points.

A 1-0 win for the Reds is priced at 19.00.