Brisbane Roar travel to Penrith to face the Western Sydney Wanderers in an all A-League FFA Cup clash tomorrow night.
The Western Sydney Wanderers have had a major shake-up during the off-season, with the club seemingly determined to redeem itself after a disastrous 2014-15 A-League campaign. A ruthless squad clear out by coach Tony Popovic has produced a virtually unrecognisable side, with four new international signings and the acquisition of a host of experienced A-League players.
Brisbane Roar travel to Sydney fresh off the back of a so far successful pre-season, beating Spanish side Villarreal in early June and losing 2-1 to English Premier League giants Liverpool FC. Freshly appointed coach John Aloisi will be keen to keep confidence high with a resounding win over the Wanderers away from home.
Key Battle – Jamie Maclaren vs Brendan Hamill
Young forward Jamie Maclaren has plenty to prove at his new club Brisbane Roar and will be itching to score in this FFA Cup encounter. The 22-year-old proved last season with Perth Glory that he is a genuine attacking threat, notching up nine goals in 20 starts for the Western Australian club.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsowslTd0IA
Likely to be paired with a younger and less experienced player beside him in the heart of defence, Brendan Hamill will have the task of keeping the Roar’s new acquisition quiet in the attacking third. The departure of Matthew Spiranovic has opened the door for Hamill to become a starter in Western Sydney’s defence this season, and will be similarly eager start his season off on the right foot.
Team News
Brisbane Roar will line up in their customary 4-3-3- formation, with Luke Brattan set to play a more attacking role in the midfield. The side will have to do without the services of veteran goalkeeper Michael Theo, who remains sidelined with injury. Expect young gun Devante Clut to make a cameo in the midfield.
Brisbane Roar (4-3-3): Young (GK), Hingert, Donachie, North, Steffanutto; Lustica, Brattan, Broich; Petratos, Maclaren, Borello.
Tony Popovic will opt for the younger pairing of Brendan Hamill and Daniel Alessi in central defence, as Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Jonathan Aspropotamitis are both unavailable. Marquee signing Federico Piovaccari only arrived on Australian shores two weeks ago and remains unfit for the clash, forcing Mark Bridge into the lone striker role.
Western Sydney Wanderers (4-2-3-1): Bouzanis (GK), Neville, Hamill, Alessi, Jamieson; Pepper, Guerao; Castelen, Nicholls, Sotirio; Bridge.
Prediction
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The upheaval the Wanderers faced in the off-season could be the deciding factor in this clash, with many foreign signings still unfit to play their part for the home side. In contrast, Brisbane Roar has maintained the core of its squad from last season and this may give it the edge over its A-League opposition.
Brisbane Roar 1 Western Sydney Wanderers 0
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