A-League – Match Preview – Sydney FC vs Western Sydney Wanderers

A-League – Match Preview – Sydney FC vs Western Sydney Wanderers

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The Western Sydney Wanderers get yet another shot at their underperforming cross-town rivals, Sydney FC in an already sold out Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.

For the home side, the pressure continues to mount. A visibly distressed Graham Arnold appeared to be pleading to a disgruntled fanbase after his side’s lacklustre 2-1 loss at the hands of seventh placed, Perth Glory last week with the Sky Blues passing up yet anther golden opportunity to break into the top four. Instead, Arnold’s men now sit in sixth place and in real danger of missing the finals if performance levels do not spike soon.

Meanwhile, the Wanderers look to break a recent derby hoodoo on Saturday. Sydney FC are undefeated in the last six Sydney derby’s including wins in their last three, the longest winning streak of either team in this fixture’s history. Tony Popovic looked on in dismay last weekend as an in-form Blake Powell netted four of the best, leading his Wellington Phoenix side to a 5-2 win over the Sydney-based side.

Key Battle – Graham Arnold vs Tony Popovic

No talk of “mansions” this time round, but arguably the biggest battle will be settled on the touchline between two of the most successful coaches in A-League history.

Since arriving from the Central Coast Mariners, Arnold has yet to fall to his former Socceroo team-mate. Meeting on five occasions, Arnold has come up trumps with four wins and one draw, including successive wins this season and despite his side’s average season.

The story couldn’t be more different for Popovic, however. After reinventing his side over the break, the former Sydney FC defender has enjoyed a stellar campaign at the helm of the Wanderers who currently sit in second place on the A-League ladder. But you have to go back to Arnold’s time at the Mariners before you find Popovic’s last and only triumph over his counterpart.

Could that all change on Saturday night? Wanderers supporters will hope so.

Team News

Arnold looks to have a full complement to choose from once again and despite what he described as the side’s worst performance in his 18 month reign, he looks likely to stick with a familiar starting XI. Filip Holosko returns from a hamstring niggle that saw him miss out last week alongside Matt Simon who returns from suspension. Brandon O’Neill may stake a claim for a derby berth considering Sydney’s defensive frailties of late.

Expected Sydney XI (4-2-3-1): Janjetovic; Ryall, Faty, Jurman, Grant; Tavares, Dimitrijevic; Ninkovic, Holosko, Brosque; Simon.

As for the Wanderers, Popovic welcome back midfield pair Dimas Delgado and Andreu alongside Golgol Mebrahtu. The ongoing suspensions of Alberto Aguilar and Jonathan Aspropotamitis mean that Brendan Hamill is welcomed back into the matchday squad and is also likely to start alongside Nikolai Topor-Stanley at the heart of the Wanderers defence.

Expected Wanderers XI (4-2-3-1): Redmayne; Neville, Hamill, Topor-Stanley, Jamieson; Dimas, Andreu; Nichols, Vidosic, Castalen; Bridge.

Previous Meeting

The two sides met just one month ago. Sydney took the lead after Jacques Faty headed home from a set-piece before the scores were levelled by a cool Dario Vidosic finish. Three points were sealed in the 90th minute however, when Shane Smeltz pounced on a loose ball to emphatically volley in the winner.

Head-to-head

Unsurprising by this point, but Sydney FC have the better of the record in this fixture winning in six of the 11 matches played. The Wanderers have won just three times meaning there have been two draws.

Prediction

On form, there is only one winner. The Wanderers have enjoyed a brilliant season so far, surpassing many of the expectations held after a poor 2014/2015 campaign. However, they are yet to win a derby this season and after Sydney’s horror-show last week, it seems unlikely that they’ll get an opportunity as good as this. Due for a win, this will be their night.

Sydney FC 1 Western Sydney Wanderers 2

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