In Harvey Norman Friday night football, Roar hosts Wanderers in a pre-Christmas cracker at Suncorp. Here’s Opta Data’s take on this intriguing Round 12 clash.
GOALS, GOALS AND MORE GOALS
When it comes to goals in this fixture, one player clearly loves it more than others – Jamie Maclaren.
The Roar attacker – known as “Macca” simply loves taking on the Wanderers. Since making the switch from Perth to Brisbane, the Caltex Socceroo star has netted eight times in five meetings with the Wanderers in the Hyundai A-League.
There has been two braces in that stretch, while he has also scored the first goal of the match twice in that span.
If history is anything to go by then there should be plenty of goals on Friday night.
In the last three clashes between these two there has seen 16 goals scored, including that unforgettable nine-goal thriller in last season’s Finals Series.
Victory’s ‘Kiwi Messi’ bosses assist stats
Football Federation Australia announces new broadcast deal
In fact, in the last six encounters at Suncorp, only once has a side kept a clean sheet, proving how much both sides likes to attack each other.
The Wanderers have scored 15 goals in 11 matches this season, they have scored six in their last two away games for a win and a draw.
Expect Macca to eat up the chances.
FIXTURE HISTORY AND FORM
There is very little between these two sides over the last couple of seasons.
Including last season’s Westfield FFA Cup clash, the last six meetings between the two sides has seen the Wanderers win three, Roar two, with one game drawn.
But it’s different when it comes to matches at Suncorp Stadium.
With their Orange Army behind them, Roar have won four of their last five home matches against the Wanderers, including a dramatic 3-2 triumph towards the end of last season.
The two sides have never drawn a match in Brisbane.
When it comes to current form, John Aloisi’s side is a clear standout. Roar is unbeaten since round 2 of this season when they lost 4-0 in Newcastle.
That’s nine games without defeat, including a 1-1 draw at Spotless last month, which has seen them jump up to equal second on the Hyundai A-League ladder.
In contrast, the Wanderers have won just one of their last nine games, with six of those ending in draws.
DISCIPLINE AND PHYSICAL BATTLES
While both sides love to play their sexy football, they know they need to win their early battle to be allowed to impose their style on the match.
Only Melbourne City has accumulated more disciplinary points (yellow and red cards) than the Wanderers, with Roar the fourth-best team in the Hyundai A-League when it comes to discipline.
Brisbane has won more fouls (156 to 142) and conceded less (179 to 192) than the Wanderers, while receiving six less yellow cards (27 to 21).
There is little between the two when it comes to tackling, with Roar winning 76% of their tackles compared to the Wanderers 72.7%.
But Tony Popovic’s men are slightly better in their one-on-one duels, just edging out their Roar counterparts 49.2% to 48.4%.
DID YOU KNOW?
This fixture at Suncorp is very special to Wanderers fans. Why? Because in Round 4 of the 2012/13 Season, the club scored their first ever goal in the Hyundai A-League. The history maker? Mark Bridge.
