Western Sydney Wanderers have the opportunity to take an outright lead on the A-League table when they host in-form Perth Glory at Parramatta Stadium on Friday.
Wanderers fans will be hoping their side can put in a complete performance for the first time this season. While the league leaders have at times been scintillating, they’ve also let themselves down with poor finishing or the inability to maintain pressure for the entire game.
In Round 17 Tony Popovic’s men completely dominated fellow title contenders Melbourne City and held a commanding 3-0 lead. But within minutes City managed to claw their way back to 3-2, turning the tide in spectacular fashion. While the Wanderers eventually held on for a 4-3 win they should never have put themselves in such a precarious position.
The following week at Melbourne Victory, Western Sydney again turned on the style but conceded early and despite a multitude of chances in front of goal, had to wait for an 89th minute equaliser from super sub Brendon Santalab. A shock 5-2 loss to Wellington Phoenix preceded last week’s derby draw which showed both sides of Tony Popovic’s side.
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The variety of results and performances are the opposite of what the Glory have been dishing out. Perth haven’t just found form at precisely the right time of the season, but they’ve been scoring goals by the bucket load.
Kenny Lowe’s side has scored 20 goals in their last six games, including a 6-3 annihilation of previous league leaders Brisbane Roar last weekend.
Glory began the season very slowly but some excellent recruiting, including the return of Irish striker Andy Keogh, and some brilliant performances, has put them on the verge of the finals.
Currently lying seventh but only one point behind both Sydney FC (sixth) and Melbourne Victory (fifth) who face each other this weekend, a win at Parramatta will put them into the top six; a stunning turnaround in just a matter of weeks.
Key Battle – Mitch Nichols v Nebojsa Marinkovic
Nichols has enjoyed a bright start to his Wanderers career and has forged a brilliant combination with Mark Bridge. His tireless work ethic and incisive play have been a constant threat to opposition defences and against Glory he will be looking to cause more havoc against his former side. Nichols scored a rasping equaliser when the two teams last met in Perth and he will be hoping to do the same again this time around.
Since joining the Glory last year, Marinkovic has been the side’s most dangerous creative outlet. The Serbian possesses an intelligent passing game with a penchant for long-range strikes from midfield and is deadly from set-pieces. The Wanderers backline will certainly need to keep a close eye on the 29-year-old maestro.
Team News
Both sides are boosted by defensive reinforcements with Spaniard Alberto Aguilar returning to his place alongside skipper Nikolai Topor-Stanley after serving a two-match suspension, while for the Glory, Marc Warren and Dino Djulbic are fit and ready for battle.
Head-to-Head
In 12 matches, the Wanderers have won six and Perth has prevailed in four. Two have been drawn.
Previous Meeting
Perth Glory ended Western Sydney’s seven-match winning streak, holding the A-League leaders to a thrilling 2-2 draw at nib Stadium a few days before Christmas.
After conceding a penalty in the second minute, the Wanderers found an equaliser through one of the best set-piece plays of the season just 18 minutes later.
Perth youngster Mitch Oxborrow sent the local crowd into a frenzy on the hour mark when he nailed a free kick from 30 yards out and the men in purple appeared headed for an unlikely victory.
But former-Glory winger Nichols netted his sixth goal of the season nine minutes from full time to snatch a point for the Wanderers.
Prediction
The Wanderers have more than enough quality to deal with the Glory. But league’s resurgent side will not be an easy side to dispatch. It should be a tight and entertaining contest.
Western Sydney Wanderers 2 Perth Glory 1
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