A-Leagues starlets Marco Tilio and Joel King look set to receive shock call-ups for the Socceroos’ defining FIFA World Cup qualifiers, starting at home to Vietnam next Thursday.

They would be among a strong contingent of A-Leagues players in the Socceroos squad, underlining coach Graham Arnold’s growing faith in domestic-based players, who made up the bulk of his Tokyo 2020 side.

Tilio’s X-factor appeals to Socceroos boss Graham Arnold, who made the fleet-footed attacker his Olyroos selection bolter for last year’s Olympics. Tilio didn’t disappoint, scoring a first-touch stunner against Argentina in the 2-0 boilover.

A senior call-up would continue the rapid ascent of Tilio, 20, whose fairytale journey from futsal-loving, football-obsessed kid to professional features in the A-League anthem music video, Real Nice (H.C.T.F.), and includes an animation of Marco eating ‘Tilios’.

His selection would echo Riley McGree’s (Adelaide United) shock call-up by Ange Postecoglou in March 2017 after just 12 A-League games, and Daniel Arzani’s (City) 2018 FIFA World Cup selection by Bert van Marwijk, after 24 games and 15 starts.

“My goal is to keep improving and bring more to the team than I did last season,” Tilio said recently.

King is destined to go head to head with Daniel Sturridge on Saturday, with the ex-Liverpool and England star set to make his NSW debut for Perth Glory against Sydney FC at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.

Sturridge made a successful cameo in Glory’s 1-0 loss at Brisbane Roar on Wednesday night and showed glimpses of his quality – including a clever dribble down the right wing – in just his second appearance of the season after the WA club returned to action after a Covid spell.

King, 21, would then join the Socceroos camp in Melbourne. Tilio’s Melbourne City is away to Central Coast Mariners on Sunday, who will be backed by a boisterous home crowd after the Gosford-based club booked its first FFA Cup final berth, and a first shot at silverware since the 2013.

A-LEAGUE MEN’S – ROUND 11

WELLINGTON PHOENIX v WESTERN UNITED

FRIDAY, JANUARY 21

WIN Stadium, 7.45pm

TV: Paramount+

ODDS: Phoenix $2.90, Draw $3.50, United $2.30

Western United can claim top spot on the A-League Men’s table with a win over the struggling Phoenix on the road on Friday night.

More than three weeks have passed since Western’s last hit-out - a Boxing Day loss to Melbourne Victory - and John Aloisi’s men are determined to rebound.

Wellington’s A-League woes will concern head coach Ufuk Talay, with four losses on the bounce an unwanted record heading into Round 11.

SYDNEY FC v PERTH GLORY

SATURDAY, JANUARY 22

Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 7.45pm

TV: Network 10, P+

ODDS: Sydney FC $1.53, Draw $4.10, Glory $6

If the Sky Blues have any intention of contending for the Premier’s Plate, the time is now to make their move as the league leaders continue to sail further into the distance.

Steve Corica’s team start the round five points behind Victory who top the table after 10 rounds. They meet a Glory side who faced Brisbane Roar in midweek - the club’s first game in 42 days - as star ex-Liverpool recruit Daniel Sturridge prepares to play his third game in purple on his cautious return to match fitness.

CENTRAL COAST MARINERS v MELBOURNE CITY

SUNDAY, JANUARY 23

Central Coast Stadium, 4.05pm

TV: Paramount+ RADIO: SEN 1170/Central Coast

ODDS: Mariners $3.25, Draw $3.60, City $2.10

An FFA Cup semifinal triumph over Sydney FC in midweek has the Mariners flying ahead of a meeting with the reigning champions.

Nick Montgomery’s side is fifth on the table, and could climb above City with a three-point display this weekend. But the danger signs of a City resurgence are starting to appear, with prized City recruit Mathew Leckie notching two assists in his last hit-out for fellow Socceroos Andrew Nabbout and Jamie Maclaren.

Star City centre back Nuno Reis misses out through suspension after collecting a red card against Adelaide United.

BRISBANE ROAR v ADELAIDE UNITED

SUNDAY, JANUARY 23

Moreton Daily Stadium, 6.45pm

TV: Paramount+

ODDS: Roar $2.35, Draw $3.40, United $2.95

Japanese recruit Hiroshi Ibusuki couldn’t have asked for a better start to life at the Reds after netting on debut to snatch a late point against City in Round 10. Now, the towering striker travels with his side to Queensland determined to shoulder the attacking burden in a side depleted by injuries and transfers out of the club.

This is Brisbane’s second fixture in five days at Moreton Daily Stadium after winning for the first time this season against Perth on Wednesday night. Warren Moon’s side have had a torrid start to the 2021/22 campaign and can begin to climb the table with back-to-back wins on home soil.

MELBOURNE VICTORY v SYDNEY FC

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25

AAMI Park, 7.45pm

TV: Paramount+ RADIO: SEN Fanatic

ODDS: Victory $3.20, Draw $3.30, Sydney FC $2.25

Elvis Kamsoba’s starring Sydney role has the Burundi international in red-hot form and eager to leave an impression on his former side when the first Big Blue of the A-League Men’s season kicks off at AAMI Park on Saturday night.

But Tony Popovic’s Victory outfit has taken pleasure in reminding rivals of their class this season, taking points from City and Adelaide in much-improved performances compared to last season’s horror show.

The well-rested Victory face a Sydney side backing up three days after a Saturday night showdown with Perth.

A-LEAGUE WOMEN’S - ROUND 8

ADELAIDE UNITED v WELLINGTON PHOENIX

FRIDAY, JANUARY 21

Coopers Stadium, 6.35pm

TV: Paramount+

Wellington’s brave attempt at recording a maiden A-League Women’s victory fell flat last time out, with Brisbane coming from two goals down to beat Gemma Lewis’ side 3-2.

But the signs are promising for the Nix, who travel to face an Adelaide side desperate to cling to its spot in the top four.

Look out for Reds striker Chelsie Dawber; she’s climbed into golden boot contention with four goals from her past four games and looms as Adelaide’s most lethal threat in the final third.

CANBERRA UNITED v MELBOURNE VICTORY

SATURDAY, JANUARY 22

Viking Park, 5.05pm

TV: Paramount+

A 6-0 loss to Sydney FC in Round 7 made Canberra United’s woes abundantly clear. Finalists in the campaign just gone, Canberra are far off the pace this season - but could target a first win of 2021/22 against an understrength Victory side.

With Courtney Nevin and Kyra Cooney-Cross jetting off to the Asian Cup and star recruit Lynn Williams ending her guest stint in the league, the Victory are looking for new ways to get results.

20-year-old Maja Markovski was the unlikely match-winner for Jeff Hopkins’ team, scoring from the spot in style to settle the 1-0 result against the Wanderers.

SYDNEY FC v MELBOURNE CITY

SATURDAY, JANUARY 22

Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 5.05pm

TV: Paramount+

Sky Blues keeper Jada Whyman can make history on Saturday evening by equalling the longest streak of consecutive clean sheets (seven) ever recorded in A-League Women’s history, currently held by Whyman’s Matildas role model and former City keeper Lydia Williams.

It’s first against second in Kogarah with league-leading Sydney FC on a tear of form; Ante Juric’s side is yet to lose this season, with six wins from seven games catapulting the Sky Blues ahead of second-placed City by four points at this stage in the campaign.

BRISBANE ROAR v NEWCASTLE JETS

SUNDAY, JANUARY 23

Moreton Daily Stadium, 4.05pm

TV: TEN Bold, Paramount+

The Jets travel to Queensland on Sunday looking to continue their surprising tilt at a top four slot, with Ash Wilson’s side sitting one point behind fourth-placed Adelaide with a game in hand on the Reds at this stage in the season.

Brisbane, meanwhile, are starting to get on a roll. Three consecutive losses to begin the season put the Roar behind the eight-ball, but two wins and a draw from the following four games have steadied the ship.

Katrina Gorry knocked back the opportunity to join the Matildas at the Asian Cup this month in favour of extending her stay in Queensland, and is shining brightly at the pointy end of Brisbane’s midfield.

PERTH GLORY v WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS

SUNDAY, JANUARY 23

Central Coast Stadium, 6.45pm

TV: Paramount+

Disappointment reigned in Round 7 for Glory and Wanderers, with both sides conceding late goals to cough up valuable points.

Perth let the Jets steal a draw after taking a 1-0 lead into the final 15 minutes of their most recent fixture, while the Wanderers buckled late on against the Victory in a 1-0 defeat on home soil.

These two teams remain in finals contention; three points earned on Sunday afternoon could see either side finish Round 8 in the top four providing other results go their way.

MELBOURNE VICTORY v SYDNEY FC

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25

AAMI PARK, 5.05pm

TV: Paramount+

The long-awaited Grand Final rematch, as Sydney FC venture to AAMI Park eager to enact revenge for last season’s shock result in the title decider.

Victory won the 2020/21 Grand Final by the most slender of margins, with Cooney-Cross converting direct from a corner in the last minute of extra time to stun the premiers and clinch the championship.

Halfway through the 2021/22 campaign and the Sky Blues finally get the chance to meet their great nemesis for the first time this season. Expect fireworks as the Big Blue explodes into action.