An intriguing tactical battle, two midfield maestros go head-to-head and the potential for a change at the bottom of the league - there’s lots to chat about at the midway point of the A-League season.

Lets get stuck in.

HERE ARE THE MAJOR TALKING POINTS AHEAD OF A-LEAGUE RD 14...

RETURNING AUSSIE TO DISPLACE MARQUEE STAR
Western Sydney Wanderers vs Adelaide United - ANZ Stadium, Friday 7:50PM
There hasn’t been much to sing about for Western Sydney Wanderers supporters this season.

One of the bright sparks, however, has been the recent signing of returning Australian striker Kwame Yeboah.

The 24-year-old left our shores five years ago to pursue opportunities in Germany and was snapped up by Markus Babbel earlier this month and integrated into first team proceedings.

An injury to star striker Oriol Riera meant Yeboah saw his first minutes from the bench against Wellington, a promising performance rewarded with a starting berth just four days later against Perth.

Sure, it’s early days but signs since arriving home have been promising. On top of his lone goal against the Glory, Yeboah has averaged more shot assists (2.5) and goal involvements (1.5) per 90 minutes than any of his attacking teammates.

What this means, is that the Wanderers now have a number nine just as likely as firing off the final pass as the final shot in their forward forays - a trait, you could argue, which makes them a more complete and fluid attacking threat.

With Riera set for a few more weeks on the sideline, Yeboah will have a few more games to stake his claim as the starting striker - starting on Friday against Adelaide.

O’NEILL AND BRILLANTE BROMANCE TAKES A BREAK
Sydney FC vs Newcastle Jets - Jubilee Stadium, Saturday 5:35PM
Since returning from his Italian adventure in 2016 Joshua Brillante has built one of the league’s most consistent and effective midfield partnerships with Brandon O’Neill.

This weekend, however, the 25-year-old won’t be available for selection as he serves a one-match suspension, leaving coach Steve Corica with a rare decision to make at the heart of his team’s midfield.

The way we see it, Corica has three options.

Option A: Utilise the well-rounded skill-set of Paulo Retre as a straight swap in midfield and continue to use Jacob Tratt from right fullback, where he started and even scored from last week.

Option B: Hand Anthony Caceres a starting debut. Corica publically flirted with the idea of playing his new star in a deeper midfield role - now could be the perfect opportunity to try exactly that.

Option C: Blood youngster Cameron Devlin. The 20-year-old is yet to get a start in the A-League this season but has made three substitute appearances.

One thing is certain, whoever takes charge of that role against the Jets will have one hell of a job to do to maintain the kind of output that Brillante offers the Sky Blues from the engine room.

BACCUS TAKES THE CASTRO TEST
Melbourne City vs Perth Glory - AAMI Park, Saturday 7:50PM
Kearyn Baccus signed for Melbourne City just over a week before their season opener against the Victory.

Since then, however, the former Wanderer has made himself Warren Joyce’s go-to midfield man, starting every single game of the season so far.

A technically proficient footballer, everyone in the league knows what Baccus is capable of with the ball at his feet, but it’s his defensive qualities that are often overlooked.

In a midfield stacked with talent, Baccus is the statistical standout. He breaks up play, makes effective tackles and intercepts more passes than any of his central midfield colleagues per 90 minutes.

Preparing to face the league’s best side means he’ll have to be at his destructive best on Saturday night, especially considering he is likely to face a rapidly form-finding Diego Castro.

A string of injuries, along with the stellar form of Chris Ikonomidis and Joel Chianese kept Tony Popovic’s most creative player on the sidelines in the opening rounds, but recent performances have seen Castro return to his best.

Last week, for example, the former La Liga veteran needed just 45 minutes to rack up 64 possessions, completing 47 passes and scoring the first as they came from behind to beat Western Sydney 4-3.

It was an impressive cameo that should earn the Spaniard a starting berth against City, setting up a mouth-watering duel with Baccus in midfield.

WELLINGTON’S WINGBACK TACTIC
Melbourne Victory vs Wellington Phoenix - AAMI Park, Sunday 5:00PM
A-League football nerds, assemble. When Wellington Phoenix travel to AAMI Park on Sunday, we could witness one of the most fascinating tactical matchups of the season.

That’s if the last time these two teams met is anything to go by, at least.

Just four rounds ago, Wellington took it to Melbourne Victory, matching their intensity and drive all over the pitch in an eye-catching performance that earned them a valuable point away from home.

Mark Rudan’s shrewd use of the wing-backs in a 3-5-2 was a constant threat to the home team that night, allowing his team to play around Melbourne’s compact midfield diamond and create a host of chances.

At the base of a midfield triangle, Mandi Sosa and Alex Rufer executed their ball-playing roles to a tee - quickly moving the ball into the wide channels occupied by Louis Fenton on the right and Liberato Cacace on the left.

Time and time again, Melbourne’s fullbacks and midfielders were forced to decide between themselves who would close down the ball - those critical seconds allowing the pair to get their heads up and create chances from wide areas.

Cacace, in particular, was exceptional that night.

The 18-year-old curled a couple of threatening crosses into the box and pressed forward into goal scoring areas himself, taking two shots from inside the Victory box.

This time out, however, you can bet Kevin Muscat will have a plan to deal with Wellington’s wily wingbacks, so strap yourselves in for a battle just as likely to be won on the sidelines, as on the pitch.

CELLAR DWELLERS TO CLIMB OFF BOTTOM?
Central Coast Mariners vs Brisbane Roar - Central Coast Stadium, Sunday 7:00PM
It took the Central Coast Mariners 327 days to win a competitive football match, but a gritty, determined performance against Melbourne City during the week finally ended their dry spell.

Now, just four days later, Mike Mulvey’s side will get the opportunity to climb off bottom spot when they host the rudderless Brisbane Roar.

Just two points ahead of them and coming off the back of the biggest defeat of the A-League season so far - a 5-0 thumping at the hands of Melbourne Victory - Darren Davies’ side look ripe for the picking.

In truth, Central Coast’s January form has drastically improved.

They threatened early against Sydney FC, even taking the lead before Kalifa Cisse’s brain explosion and built up a two-goal cushion against Wellington a week later before being pegged back in the second half.

“Winning is a habit,” Matt Simon said after the match on Wednesday night, and if they’re able to put in a performance consistent of the levels they’ve shown since the turn of the year, Central Coast could notch another win, climb off bottom spot and cap off a killer week for the struggling club.