Preview: A-League week 23 ADELAIDE UNITED v ROAR Hindmarsh Stadium, Saturday, 5.30pm The Reds return home after the long trip to Wellington, retaining third spot following their draw in the Shaky Isles, a game that turned out to be Ricki Herbert's last in charge of the Nix. Mike Valkanis" team's form has been patchy, the win over Victory being the only recent bright spot. The Roar is still struggling to grab a finals berth and time is running out. Adelaide might just shade this, although the loss of Jon McKain, sent off last week, will hurt. MARINERS v WANDERERS Bluetongue Stadium, Saturday, 7.45pm Many people - although I am not yet one of them - are convinced this is a grand final preview. The Wanderers have had a phenomenal recent run and they have been able to call on most of their top-line players, unlike some rivals, for most of their games. The Mariners are having to back up quickly from an Asian Champions League match on Wednesday, but they have the wherewithal. Mariners to end Wanderers run. GLORY v SYDNEY FC nib Stadium, Saturday, 9.45pm The desperate versus the deeply concerned, both hoping against hope they'll snare a finals spot. The odds against Perth look long, but anything can happen, and they did defeat the Mariners in Alistair Edwards" first game in charge. Sydney was poor against Melbourne Heart last weekend, losing 3-1, with Lucas Neill enduring a forgettable A-League debut. They will lift, but it might not be enough. Glory to grab the points. PHOENIX v HEART Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, Sunday, 2.30pm Nix has had a tumultuous week, losing founding coach Ricki Herbert and slumping to defeat (1-2) at the hands of Newcastle in caretaker Chris Greenacre's first match in charge. Heart travels across the Tasman in a buoyant mood, having seen off the Sky Blues 3-1 in front of its own fans last Sunday. But will it be able to end its bleak away record, not having won on the road since December 2011? Draw says no. Victory is going through a horror run of three defeats on the spin, culminating in that nightmare 6-2 loss to the Mariners last Saturday. They have missed Archie Thompson more than they might care to admit, and he cannot return quickly enough as he provides not just verve and spark but he takes the heat of Marco Rojas. The Jets will be up for it after securing three points in Wellington, but the quick back-up could test. Victory to bounce back.