Auckland FC will be out to consolidate top spot on the A-League ladder when they play hosts to Macarthur FC on Saturday.
The A-League’s new boys are showing no signs of slowing down in their debut campaign and sit two points clear of Adelaide United at the top.
There is still a long way to go, and the tests will keep on coming, the next one being Macarthur.
The Bulls are having a solid season themselves, sitting in fourth spot on the ladder, and looking good for a spot in finals.
A win would see them move to within three points of Auckland and they will be going all out for the three points.
Macarthur will also be out for revenge after losing 1-0 to Auckland earlier in the season.
Steve Corica’s side should be full of confidence after picking up two wins and a draw in the last three games.
A 3-0 demolition of Melbourne City, was backed up with a 2-2 draw away at Adelaide, before they snatched a last-gasp 1-0 win at Western Sydney.
The results prove that Auckland not only have a good team, they also have the stomach for a fight, which will serve them well for the rest of the season.
Scoring goals has not been easy for them this season, but when you have the tightest defence in the league, you win more than you lose.
Auckland have conceded just 11 goals this season and have kept clean sheets in two of the last three games.
It means they just have to nick one at the other end and the three points are in the bag.
That is what happened when they travelled to Macarthur back in November. Guillermo May grabbed the only goal in a 1-0 win.
May remains the club’s leading goalscorer with four from 14 appearances, and will look to add to that tally on Saturday.
Macarthur are currently on a run of win one, lose one at the moment, and will be desperate to string back-to-backs wins together.
After edging out Melbourne City 1-0 in their last game, they now have the chance to do it.
Scoring goals has not been an issue, they have 29 so far this season, with Valere Germain leading the way with seven goals in 15.
Jed Drew has six, Marin Jakolis four, so the Bulls have threats all over the pitch.
They will need to be at their best however if they are to break down a well organised Auckland defence.
Their record away from home has been impressive to say least, winning five on the road, including a 2-1 win at Wellington Phoenix the last time they head to New Zealand
Read more soccer previews on site
Auckland FC - 1.80
Draw - 3.60
Macarthur FC - 4.33
View the full market and more odds for Auckland FC v Macarthur FC on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.