Is the Western Sydney Wanderers Asian Champions League hangover finally a thing of the past? Last week’s 2-1 comeback win away to the Newcastle Jets was the first time the club has notched back-to-back wins since December 2013. However, a sterner test awaits Tony Popovic’s men on Friday night at AAMI Park.
Standing in the way of a third consecutive triumph, which would surely restore the optimism felt in the immediacy of last season’s ACL success, is CFG-backed Melbourne City, who are feeling similarly positive after a convincing 4-2 victory against Adelaide United.
Key Battle – Erik Paartalu vs Mitch Nichols
Once key cog’s of Ange Postecoglou’s trailblazing Brisbane Roar outfit, the pair will go toe-to-toe on Friday night, with Erik Paartalu as City’s screening midfielder and Mitch Nichols as the Wanderers’ tormentor-in-chief in an attacking midfield role
Nichols, 26, only needed a few yards of space to show his class last week against the Jets, rifling a late, powerful low shot past ‘keeper Mark Birighitti from 25 yards to hand the Wanderers maximum points. After being told a few home truths from Popovic during the negotiation process of Nichols signing for the Parramatta-based club, the midfielder’s work-rate is now matching his undeniable quality in possession.
Paartalu has struggled in the early stages of the season, but has responded well after coach John van’t Schip’s decision to leave him out of the FFA Cup semi-final against Perth Glory and the following two A-League fixtures.
Within the opening 10 minutes Paartalu had headed his side into the lead, continuing his good work thereafter. He amassed a pass completion rate of 82%, while helping his defence tirelessly with six interceptions and seven clearances.
With Paartalu and Nichols in strong form, and in opposing positions, the winner of this match-up could go a long way to deciding the contest.
Team news and expected lineups
For City, Northern Ireland veteran Aaron Hughes could make his A-League debut on Friday night after being an unused sub during the win in Adelaide. Harry Novillo’s feats as a super sub may earn the Frenchman a starting berth, while Corey Gameiro is in line to return following a minor ankle knock.
As for the Wanderers, defender Shannon Cole may feature in some capacity following a groin strain but is highly unlikely to start, while Romeo Castelen should regain his starting place after being eased back into the team with a cameo appearance against the Jets.
Other players in contention for a starting berth are forwards Mark Bridge and Brendan Santalab, who provided the spark that Popovic’s squad needed. However, marquee Federico Piovaccari is still likely to retain his spot at the focal point of the Wanderers attack.
Melbourne City XI (4-3-3): Sorensen (GK); Retre, Kisnorbo, Hughes, Garuccio; Paartalu, Melling, Mauk; Novillo, Fornaroli, Gameiro.
Western Sydney Wanderers XI (4-3-3): Redmayne (GK); Neville, Topor-Stanley, Aspro, Jamieson; Dimas, Andreu, Nichols; Castelen, Vidosic, Piovaccari.
Head to head
The Wanderers have dominated this fixture for the most part – winning six times and having only dropped seven points against City (two draws, one loss) in nine previous encounters.
Matches between the two sides have averaged 2.66 goals per game, making it one of the more free-flowing duels found in the Australian football calendar.
The fixture has also seen three red cards in that time, with City claiming the majority on that count with former captain Simon Colosimo and Connor Chapman being sent to the sheds, while former Wanderers defender Jerome Polenz suffering the same fate in round 18 of the 2012/13 campaign.
Previous Meeting
Prediction
There isn’t a club in the land that wouldn’t miss the quality that Mooy brings. The former Western Sydney man leads the assists table (3), and leads the league for chances created (19). A spark remains, however, notably when Uruguayan striker Bruno Fornaroli and Harry Novillo, are taken into account. It will be gripping viewing to see how Van’t Schip’s system is tweaked to deal with the all-action midfielder’s loss.
The Wanderers look to have regained the competitive edge that was seemingly missing previously, and should look to attack City after a solid string of results. Despite this fixture averaging 3.4 goals per game in the previous five meetings, I’m tipping a gritty score-draw.
Melbourne City 1 Western Sydney Wanderers 1
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