The games continue to come thick and fast in Europe with a host of Aussies involved in crucial midweek matches around the globe, including Aaron Mooy and Maty Ryan in the English Premier League.
Here's a look at what's in store for some of our national team stars and hopefuls this week.
MOOY, RYAN DESPERATE FOR WINS IN EPL
Arresting form-slumps and Premier League survival is the only thought for Aaron Mooy and Maty Ryan’s clubs this week as both Huddersfield and Brighton and Hove Albion play crucial midweek fixtures.
Both the Terriers and Brighton have managed just two points from their last five games to drop perilously close to the EPL drop zone.
Mooy was rested from Huddersfield’s FA Cup draw with Birmingham on the weekend to focus on Wednesday morning’s (AEDT) clash with Liverpool. Huddersfield are without a win since mid-December and sit in 14th spot, just two points above the relegation zone.
Ryan’s Seagulls – currently 16th and one point above the bottom three - face a ‘relegation six-pointer against 18th-placed Southampton at St Mary’s. A win could take them four points clear, however a loss would more than likely put them into the bottom three and increase the pressure heading towards the business end of the campaign.
HOTTING UP IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP
The midweek action in the Championship features three Aussies with skipper Mile Jedinak, Jackson Irvine and James Meredith all in action.
Jedinak’s in-form Villa face a tough trip to Sheffield United, looking to consolidate their playoff spot with a win at Bramell Lane. Villa will jump to third with a win and within striking distance of the top-two, which brings automatic promotion to the EPL.
After advancing in the FA Cup on the weekend, Irvine’s Hull City host eighth-placed Leeds United and need a win to avoid falling into the relegation places.
And Meredith, who has played all 28 league games for Millwall this season, should again be in the starting XI for the visit of high-flying Derby County to the Den.
BEST OF THE REST
Having come off the bench for the last two games for Hibernian, striker Jamie Maclaren will be hoping to get his first start for his new club Hibernian in their midweek clash.
Hibs – currently fourth – take on sixth-placed Motherwell in what should be a tight affair.
There’s two Aussie keepers in important Cup ties as well.
In Belgium, Danny Vukovic’s Genk face Kortrijk away from home in the first leg of their Belgian Cup semi-final on Wednesday morning (AEDT).
And in the Netherlands, we’re at the quarter final stage of the KNVB Beker (Dutch Cup), with Brad Jones Feyenoord hosting PSV 24 hours later.
