Yesterday the FFA released the A-League fixtures for the 2020-21 season, and we wanted to break down the lucky and tough draws, as well as the matches that have caught our eye.
Best Start: Central Coast Mariners
It doesn't make sense to say that the reigning wooden spoon holders have the best draw to start the season, but hear us out.
The Mariners only have to face one side who made the finals last year in their first five matches, whilst three of those five will be in Gosford.
The lineup of opponents include a manager-less Newcastle Jets and new boys Macarthur FC.
AAP
Alen Stajcic has been given the fixtures to guide his side to a strong start and get an assault on the top six up and running.
Worst Start: Wellington Phoenix
Wellington's season is already going to be tough as coronavirus restrictions mean that all of their games are away at the start of the season.
However, the quality of the opponents does not get any easier either as they will face three finalists from last season in their first five games.
A potentially rejuvenated Melbourne Victory side is on that group of fixtures as well.
Yikes.
A long-awaited reunion
Macarthur captain Mark Milligan will have to wait until the 7th of April next year to clash with former side Melbourne Victory.
Simon Bennett
The former Socceroo's two previous spells with the Victory gives this one added spice, as he played 96 times for the club.
Milligan will also don the captain's armband for the Bulls, as he did during the 2014-15 Championship-winning campaign with the boys in blue.
There's no doubt some Victory fans might be feeling a little betrayed that their former skipper has buried his loyalty firmly in the past.
New Rivalries
Macarthur FC's inaugural season brings about some new derbies, most notably a Western Sydney Derby against the Wanderers.
The two clubs will commence the season on the 27th of December, as Milicic's men look to set several firsts against their new rivals.
Another new rivalry also involves the Wanderers, as they begin one with the Newcastle Jets now known as the Carl Robinson Derby.
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Robinson made the controversial decision to leave the Jets for Wanderland after only eight months in charge.
Newcastle fans were livid with the decision, and expect a confronting reception for the Welshman when the Wanderers visit them on the 5th of January.
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