Western Sydney Wanderers may not have won a derby against Sydney FC for over three years but that could change if they can grab the first goal on Saturday night.
Just a pity Wanderers don’t have Tim Cahill up front.
Hyundai A-League Round 20 stats preview
Opta stats show Wanderers are one of just three sides in the Hyundai A-League 2016/17 season that hasn’t lost when scoring the opening goal of the match.
In 19 games, Tony Popovic’s men have scored the first goal six times, managing two wins and four draws in those matches.
Obviously the Sky Blues are one of the other teams yet to lose when scoring first, winning 11 of the 12 matches that has happened this campaign.
But when it comes to players scoring the first goal of the match, Caltex Socceroos star Tim Cahill leads the way.
In the 15 matches Cahill has played for City this season, he has opened the scoring six times (40%), the most of any player to have notched the first goal at least three times.
Roar’s Jamie Maclaren has also done it six times – although from 18 games – while golden boot leader Besart Berisha has done it five times from 19 starts.
The in-form Newcastle Jets are the only other side to remain unbeaten when notching the first goal, although that’s only happened on four occasions (three wins, one draw).
Besides the league-leading Sky Blues, Melbourne Victory have proved to be the comeback kids when it comes to getting results when letting the first goal in.
Victory has won 40% (2 of 5) of matches when going behind, while Glory’s record is 33% (3 of 9).
Only two teams have been unable to win when conceding first.
Third-placed Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City (in fourth) have both gone behind in five matches, drawing two and losing the other three respectively.
