When it comes to playing away, there is no side better than the Sky Blues. But will its home form ruin a championship challenge?
Form
14 away games: 10 wins and four draws. Is there any side that actually is better on the road than at home? Much of the Sky Blues’ form has to do with Graham Arnold’s more defensive, counter-attacking game, where it is better for the opponents to have the ball. It worked well when he was in charge of the Mariners, and you can see it working for Sydney FC.
Naturally though, this is why Sydney struggles at home and with just four wins from 13 matches played. When you are the home team, it is up to you to take the game to the opposition, and this does not suit the Sky Blues.
However, the side’s form leading into the finals was fantastic: eight wins from the last ten games, six of which were away games. Arnold’s team can score plenty of goals, which has proven useful when it switches off at the back. On six different occasions this season, the defence has conceded three or more goals and three times the club’s potent strike force has rescued a win.
Key Player – Alex Brosque
The 31-year-old has been in fantastic form in the last few months. With Marc Janko’s goal-scoring form trailing off, and Bernie Ibini failing to find the net as much as expected, Brosque has been the man leading the forward charge.
The added flexibility in Brosque’s game of being able to play as a striker or playmaker has proven useful in the final run-in and will give Arnold options to vary his tactics in toughly-contested finals matches.
In addition, his experience in the finals could prove to be quite valuable, as he and Sebastian Ryall are the last Sky Blues players who were members of the title-winning side in 2010 under Viteslav Lavicka.
[interaction id=”5541f161ca16d6d87fa95450″]
Prediction
With a home semi-final, Sydney would normally be in prime position to make it to its first grand final since 2010. But given their below-par form at Allianz Stadium, Sydney could fall one game short of the decider.
Graham Arnold’s side will most likely come up against Adelaide United, and the Reds know a thing or two about beating the Sky Blues at home. Playing on the break at Allianz Stadium, Josep Gombau’s side won twice during the regular season and once in the FFA Cup quarter-finals.
If the Sky Blues progress and face Melbourne Victory in the grand final, Arnold’s side will not be afraid of going to Melbourne given their success on the road. But it is all about winning that home semi-final, and their record throughout the season suggests Sydney might struggle, especially against Adelaide or even the Wellington Phoenix.
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our interactive Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
