Western Sydney will be looking to avenge their controversial loss to Melbourne City when the A-League’s top two teams clash at Pirtek Stadium on Friday night.
In that match just three weeks ago, the Wanderers had a late Mark Bridge goal disallowed, before Harry Novillo snatched the spoils for City in a five-goal thriller at AAMI Park.
Tony Popovic and midfielder Mitch Nichols both agreed that the disallowed goal will form a part of the side’s motivation, in front of what will be a boisterous and one-eyed Wanderland crowd.
The coach praised his side for battling back from a two goal deficit, only to be sucker punched by controversy and a late steal by Norvillo. But he also conceded that the defeat confirmed Melbourne City’s quality and their ability to turn a match at any time.
John van’t Schip’s men have only lost once in their last 10 outings, their fluent attacking style now seeing them climb to second on the ladder.
Jack Clisby has been brought back for this clash after he was suspended from the Wellington game – and van’t Schip has faith in the experience provided by men like goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, centre-backs Aaron Hughes and striker Bruno Fornaroli. A win will take City top, while a defeat would see them slip five points behind the Wanderers with 10 games remaining.
The Dutch coach is impressed with the Wanderers, who he says are “playing good football” and have “changed the way they play”, with the likes of Romeo Castelen, Mitch Nichols, Dario Vidosic and Mark Bridge very dangerous, though he is also wary of the quality of the likes of Spaniards Andreu and Dimas.
POPULAR ARTICLES
Perth Glory maintaining momentum with new signings
Wanderers boss Tony Popovic relishing chance to right wrongs against Melbourne City
Copa90 tells the story of the #SaveTheNix campaign [WATCH]
Meanwhile, Popovic believes his side’s expansive play deserved more than it received during a rough patch in January, which included two losses and a draw, before last weekend’s win over last-placed Central Coast. That is what he says can drive them to the top of the pile against Melbourne City.
Results have not been going the Wanderers’ way in recent weeks, but the side is creating enough chances to win games. It has been an inability to capitalise on opportunities that has made life in Sydney’s Western suburbs an exercise in pure frustration, including last weekend’s lucky escape against the Mariners.
The only selection dilemmas coach Tony Popovic has for this match concerns the exceptional young defender Jonathan Aspropotamitis, who is likely to be dropped for Nikolai Topor-Stanley after the captain served a one-week suspension.
Aspropotamitis has played well in the few opportunities he has received and he has performed beyond expectations. It’s a good headache for Popovic to have.
The other issue is what to do with marquee Federico Piovaccari, who has not settled at Parramatta since his arrival from La Liga side Eibar. Piovaccari is likely to start from the bench on Friday night, but the question that needs to be asked is, how much longer can Popovic kep faith in a striker who just has not been able to score goals?
Key Battle – Mitch Nichols vs Aaron Mooy
Mooy is head of the creative department at City and is arguably the best player in the league, while Nichols’ signing has proved to be the Wanderers’ most inspiring of the season. Nichols has fast become one of the fan favourites at Wanderland, providing goals, robustness and inspiration from midfield.
Aaron Mooy is simply superb, pulling the strings like a puppeteer and while creating opportunities for Fornaroli and Novillo, he also scores plenty of goals himself. It wouldd be interesting to know what Popovic thinks of his decision to release the brilliant Socceroo two seasons ago.
Team News
Consistency has been a key to John van’t Schip’s and the Dutchman sees the return of Jack Clisby to his side from suspension, while Wade Dekker makes his way into the extended squad that will be cut 90 minutes before kick-off.
Debuts to Anthony Caceres, Osama Malik and Nick Fitzgerald against the Phoenix last week saw City strengthen their squad depth, while the lack of injuries has been a key to City’s recent success.
Wanderers skipper Topor-Stanley returns to the heart of the defence at the expense of 19-year-old Aspropotamitis, who impressed against the Mariners last week, however, no other changes are expected. Centurion Mark Bridge is set to start ahead of Brendon Santalab and Federico Piovaccari, with the Italian marquee likely to return to the bench.
Head-to-head
Western Sydney Wanderers have won seven of 11 matches between the two sides, with two draws.
Previous Meeting
City’s Novillo scored two goals to end Western Sydney’s 10-match unbeaten run, including a last-gasp winner in a controversial, yet pulsating 3-2 victory at AAMI Park. The striker opened the scoring with a brilliant free-kick that left Wanderers keeper Andrew Redmayne grasping at fresh air, before Fornaroli doubled the lead after 25 minutes.
However, the visitors showed their quality and drew level as Nichols rasped a volley through City goalkeeper Sorensen’s fingers, before Aaron Hughes scored an own goal from Romeo Castelen’s tricky cross. Controversy struck when the Wanderers had a late Mark Bridge goal disallowed, while Novillo snuck in to steal the spoils of victory at the death.
Prediction
Western Sydney Wanderers 2 Melbourne City 1
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
