Sydney FC v Western Sydney Wanderers
Sunday 26 October 2014
Sydney United Sports Centre, Sydney (new venue)
Local kick-off: 3pm
* Catch all the action Live at 3.00pm nationally on ABC1. Or from Monday on ABC iView with a full replay at 3.30am on Tuesday.
Join the conversation on Twitter using match hashtag #SYDvWSW
The passion and edge of the Sydney derby takes centre stage for ABC TV viewers and local fans on Sunday.
A quick glance at the competition ladder suggests Sydney FC start as warm favourites, but derbies of course are rarely straight forward.
The Sky Blues claimed a 2-0 win in front of a record Westfield W-League crowd when the pair last met just a few weeks ago.
Sydney FC, however, will be looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the season, suffered last weekend on their long trip west against Perth Glory.
Influential skipper Renee Rollason, as well as young midfield tyro Natalie Tobin, both return from a week’s absence, but the loss to injury of goalkeeper Casey Dumont is a major blow.
History offers little solace for the Wanderers with the Sky Blues winning all five previous encounters, though each contest has been well-matched.
The Wanderers, who again have named an unchanged side, will be hoping to ride the wave of enthusiasm brought about the club’s history-making run in the AFC Champions League.
Sydney FC squad: 21. Sian McLaren (gk), 2. Teresa Polias, 3. Liz Ralston, 4. Alesha Clifford, 5. Jasmyne Spencer, 6. Servet Uzunlar, 7. Nicola Bolger, 8. Amy Harrison, 10. Renee Rollason, 11. Natalie Tobin, 12. Chloe Logarzo, 13. Trudy Camilleri, 14. Olivia Price, 15. Teigen Allen, 16. Samantha Johnson, 20. Alyssa Harris (gk)
Ins: Natalie Tobin, Renee Rollason (both return from unavailability), Sian McLaren (new signing)
Outs: Casey Dumont (injury – six weeks), Ellyse Perry (cricket commitments)
Unavailable: Kyah Simon (knee – one week)
Western Sydney Wanderers squad: 1. Trudy Burke (gk), 2. Caitlin Cooper, 3. Jessica Seaman, 5. Helen Petinos, 6. Rachael Soutar, 7. Kendall Johnson. 8. Grace Henry, 9. Keelin Winters, 10. Michelle Carney, 12. Hannah Beard, 14. Demi Koulizakis, 15. Rhianna Pollicina, 16. Linda O’Neill, 18. Tia Gavin, 20. Sham Khamis (gk)
Ins: none
Outs: none
Unavailable: none